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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 Holmes (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 Holmes. 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 northeast 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 north.

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 north 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.

Holmes is located in Grand Forks County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Grand Forks County: Polk (MN), Nelson, Steele, Traill & Walsh.

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

  • Grand Forks County     (The home county of Holmes)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Holmes, with the one closest to Holmes listed first.
    • Reynolds
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Reynolds have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reynolds
      • Reynolds is located in Grand Forks County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 299 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Reynolds <2>
    • Thompson
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Thompson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thompson
      • Thompson is located in Grand Forks County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,027 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Thompson <2>
    • Northwood
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Northwood have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Northwood
      • Northwood is located in Grand Forks County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 884 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Northwood <2>
    • Emerado
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Emerado have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emerado
      • Emerado is located in Grand Forks County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 461 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Emerado <2>
    • Arvilla
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Kempton
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Grand Forks
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Kelly
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Kelly. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kelly
      • Kelly is located in Grand Forks County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Kelly
      • From Holmes to Kelly
    • Mekinock
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
    • Larimore
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Manvel
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Manvel have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manvel
      • Manvel is located in Grand Forks County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 372 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Manvel <2>
    • Gilby
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • McCanna
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
  • Steele County
  • Traill County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Holmes, with the one closest to Holmes listed first.
    • Hatton
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hatton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hatton
      • Hatton is located in Traill County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 731 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hatton <2>
    • Buxton
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Buxton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buxton
      • Buxton is located in Traill County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 316 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Buxton <2>
    • Mayville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Portland
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
    • Cummings
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Roseville
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Hillsboro
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hillsboro have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillsboro
      • Hillsboro is located in Traill County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,624 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hillsboro <2>
    • Blanchard
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • Clifford
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clifford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clifford
      • Clifford is located in Traill County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 43 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Clifford <2>
    • Caledonia
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Alton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Alton. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alton
      • Alton is located in Traill County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Alton
      • From Holmes to Alton
    • Kelso
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Norman County (MN)
    • Shelly
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shelly have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shelly
      • Shelly is located in Norman County (MN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 178 people
  • Polk County (MN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Holmes, with the one closest to Holmes listed first.
    • East Grand Forks
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Mallory
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Mallory. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mallory
      • Mallory is located in Polk County (MN)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Mallory
      • From Holmes to Mallory
    • Climax
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Climax have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Climax
      • Climax is located in Polk County (MN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 261 people
    • Fisher
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fisher have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fisher
      • Fisher is located in Polk County (MN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 410 people
    • Nielsville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nielsville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nielsville
      • Nielsville is located in Polk County (MN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 82 people

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

Cemeteries Near Holmes ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Holmes.

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.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

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

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

  • St. Jordahlen Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Jordahlen Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Jordahlen Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Holmes Methodist Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Holmes Methodist Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Holmes Methodist Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Washington Prairie Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
  • Bethany Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bethany Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bethany Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Holmes Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Holmes Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Holmes Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Morgan Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Morgan Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Morgan Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Washington Lutheran Church Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
  • Swenson Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Swenson Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Swenson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. Johns Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Johns Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Johns Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Calvary Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Calvary Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Calvary Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Americus - St. Olaf Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Americus - St. Olaf Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Americus - St. Olaf Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. James Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. James Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. James Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (84 more) ...
    • St. James Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. James Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. James Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Thompson Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Thompson Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Thompson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Zoar Cemetery
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Zoar Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Zoar Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.

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.<4>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Holmes had a population of 25 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

  • Hatton
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hatton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hatton
    • Hatton is located in Traill County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 731 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hatton <2>
  • Reynolds
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Reynolds have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reynolds
    • Reynolds is located in Grand Forks County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 299 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Reynolds <2>
  • Thompson
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Thompson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thompson
    • Thompson is located in Grand Forks County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,027 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Thompson <2>
  • Buxton
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Buxton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buxton
    • Buxton is located in Traill County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 316 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Buxton <2>
  • Merrifield
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Merrifield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Merrifield
    • Merrifield is located in Grand Forks County
  • Northwood
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Northwood have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Northwood
    • Northwood is located in Grand Forks County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 884 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Northwood <2>
  • Ojata ‑ Historic
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ojata have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ojata
    • Ojata is located in Grand Forks County
  • Mayville
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
  • Portland
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
  • Arvilla
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Kempton
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Cummings
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Continue List   (16 more) ...

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

Newspapers Published in Holmes ...

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 78 newspapers that have been published in the area around Holmes.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Holmes, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Holmes.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These 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 Holmes:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Holmes. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Grand Forks County: www.grandforkscountygov.com/

The official website for State of North Dakota: https://www.nd.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<4>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 Holmes, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<5>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Holmes) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Holmes. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 47.7157, Longitude: -97.2963       In this case, the coordinates for Holmes have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025