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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Petersburg (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Petersburg. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Petersburg is located in Henry County.

To see how the shape of Missouri's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Henry County: Bates, Benton, Cass, Johnson, Pettis & Saint Clair.

Below are the counties that are near Petersburg. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Petersburg:

  • Henry County     (The home county of Petersburg)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.
    • Norris
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Norris is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norris
    • Maurine
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Maurine is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maurine
    • Blairstown
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Blairstown is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blairstown
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 95 people
    • Hartwell
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Hartwell is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartwell
    • Urich
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Clinton
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Calhoun
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Calhoun is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calhoun
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 456 people
    • Bowen
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • Bowen is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowen
    • La Due
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • La Due is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Due
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 28 people
    • Alberta
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Alberta is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alberta
    • Windsor
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • Yolo
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Yolo is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yolo
  • Bates County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.
    • Mayesburg
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Mayesburg is located in Bates County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mayesburg
    • Adrian
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
    • Passaic
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Passaic is located in Bates County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Passaic
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 32 people
  • Benton County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.
    • Palo Pinto
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Palo Pinto is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Palo Pinto
    • Racket
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Racket is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Racket
    • Ionia
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Ionia is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ionia
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 88 people
    • Lincoln
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
    • Tackner
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Tackner is located in Benton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tackner
  • Cass County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.
    • Creighton
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Gunn City
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Gunn City is located in Cass County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gunn City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 123 people
    • Garden City
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • East Lynne
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
    • Strasburg
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
    • Austin
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Austin is located in Cass County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Austin
    • Archie
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
    • Baldwin Park
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Baldwin Park is located in Cass County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baldwin Park
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 96 people
    • Harrisonville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
    • Pleasant Hill
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Jackson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.
    • Hicks City
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Hicks City is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hicks City
    • Lone Jack
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Johnson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.
    • Chilhowee
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
      • Chilhowee is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chilhowee
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 322 people
    • Leeton
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Leeton is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leeton
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 557 people
    • Cornelia
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Cornelia is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cornelia
    • Quick City
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Quick City is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quick City
    • Henrietta
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Henrietta is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henrietta
    • Centerview
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
    • Holden
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
    • La Tour
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • La Tour is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Tour
    • Latour
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Latour is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Latour
    • Warrensburg
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
    • Kingsville
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Greendoor
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Greendoor is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greendoor
  • Lafayette County
    • Lake Lafayette
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Lake Lafayette is located in Lafayette County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Lafayette
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 340 people
  • Pettis County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.
    • Green Ridge
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Green Ridge is located in Pettis County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Ridge
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 495 people
    • La Monte
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
  • Saint Clair County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.
    • Appleton City
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Lowry City
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
    • Johnson City
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Johnson City is located in Saint Clair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Johnson City

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Petersburg, see our County-by-County Page for Petersburg.

Cemeteries Near Petersburg ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Petersburg.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

Although we don't have the information ourselves, if you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our list of websites on our Genealogy Helper Page for Petersburg - one of the links might be able to help.

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Petersburg covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.

  • Carrsville Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
  • Paul Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
  • Freeman Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
  • Salem Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Paul Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Morgan Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Carpenter Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Norris Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Wade Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
  • Blairstown Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Hickory Grove Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
  • Providence Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Continue List   (210 more) ...
    • Shiloh Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shiloh Cemetery
      • The Shiloh Cemetery has also been known as:
      • Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #1911407 <2>
    • Urich Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Fields Creek Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<3>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Petersburg had a post office and no railroad service.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Petersburg, with the one closest to Petersburg listed first.

  • Norris
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Norris is located in Henry County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norris
  • Huntingdale
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Huntingdale is located in Henry County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huntingdale
  • Maurine
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Maurine is located in Henry County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maurine
  • Shawnee Mound
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Shawnee Mound is located in Henry County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shawnee Mound
  • Chilhowee
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Chilhowee is located in Johnson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chilhowee
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 322 people
  • Garland
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Garland is located in Henry County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garland
  • Quarles
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Quarles is located in Henry County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quarles
  • Post Oak
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Post Oak is located in Johnson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Post Oak
  • Blairstown
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Blairstown is located in Henry County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blairstown
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 95 people
  • Hartwell
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Hartwell is located in Henry County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartwell
  • Leeton
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Leeton is located in Johnson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leeton
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 557 people
  • Cornelia
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Cornelia is located in Johnson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cornelia
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Quick City
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Quick City is located in Johnson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quick City
    • Clinton
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Lucas
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Lucas is located in Henry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lucas

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Petersburg. See our List of 1890's Communities around Petersburg.

Newspapers Published in Petersburg ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 104 newspapers that have been published in the area around Petersburg.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Petersburg, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Petersburg.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Petersburg:

Footnotes ...

<1>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<2>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<3>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Petersburg, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Petersburg) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.