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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 Potrero (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 Potrero. 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 northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the west. 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 west 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.

Potrero is located in Santa Fe County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Santa Fe County: Bernalillo, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval & Torrance.

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

  • Santa Fe County     (The home county of Potrero)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potrero, with the one closest to Potrero listed first.
    • Rio Chiquito
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rio Chiquito have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rio Chiquito
      • Rio Chiquito is located in Santa Fe County
    • Cundiyo
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • La Puebla
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Puebla
      • La Puebla is located in Santa Fe County
    • Cuartelez
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cuartelez
      • Cuartelez is located in Santa Fe County
    • Arroyo Seco
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arroyo Seco
      • Arroyo Seco is located in Santa Fe County
    • El Valle de Arroyo Seco
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for El Valle de Arroyo Seco have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for El Valle de Arroyo Seco
      • El Valle de Arroyo Seco is located in Santa Fe County
    • Sombrillo
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sombrillo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sombrillo
      • Sombrillo is located in Santa Fe County
    • Santa Cruz
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Santo Nino
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Santo Nino
      • Santo Nino is located in Santa Fe County
    • Pojoaque
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pojoaque have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pojoaque
      • Pojoaque is located in Santa Fe County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pojoaque <2>
    • Cuyamungue
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cuyamungue
      • Cuyamungue is located in Santa Fe County
    • Jacona
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Jacona. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jacona
      • Jacona is located in Santa Fe County
  • Los Alamos County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potrero, with the one closest to Potrero listed first.
    • White Rock
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Rock
      • White Rock is located in Los Alamos County
    • Los Alamos
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
  • Mora County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potrero, with the one closest to Potrero listed first.
    • Holman
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
    • Pacheco Village
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pacheco Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pacheco Village
      • Pacheco Village is located in Mora County
  • Rio Arriba County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potrero, with the one closest to Potrero listed first.
    • Chimayo
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Cordova
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Truchas
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Ohkay Owingeh
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • San Juan
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for San Juan
      • San Juan is located in Rio Arriba County
    • Espanola
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Alcalde
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Chamita
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chamita
      • Chamita is located in Rio Arriba County
    • Estaca
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Estaca
      • Estaca is located in Rio Arriba County
    • La Villita
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Villita
      • La Villita is located in Rio Arriba County
    • Los Luceros
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Los Luceros
      • Los Luceros is located in Rio Arriba County
    • El Duende
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for El Duende
      • El Duende is located in Rio Arriba County
  • San Miguel County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potrero, with the one closest to Potrero listed first.
    • Cowles
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cowles
      • Cowles is located in San Miguel County
    • Holy Ghost ‑ Historic
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holy Ghost
      • Holy Ghost is located in San Miguel County
    • Rociada
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
  • Taos County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potrero, with the one closest to Potrero listed first.
    • Trampas
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Vallecito
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Chamisal
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chamisal have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chamisal
      • Chamisal is located in Taos County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Chamisal <2>
    • Llano
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Penasco
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Penasco have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Penasco
      • Penasco is located in Taos County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Penasco <2>
    • Rio Lucio
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rio Lucio have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rio Lucio
      • Rio Lucio is located in Taos County
    • Picuris Pueblo
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Picuris Pueblo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Picuris Pueblo
      • Picuris Pueblo is located in Taos County
    • Vadito
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Pilar
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Ojo Caliente
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Tres Ritos
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tres Ritos
      • Tres Ritos is located in Taos County
    • Angostura
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Angostura
      • Angostura is located in Taos County

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

Cemeteries Near Potrero ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Potrero.

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 Potrero covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • El Potrero de Chimayo Holy Family Parish Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the El Potrero de Chimayo Holy Family Parish Cemetery
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the El Potrero de Chimayo Holy Family Parish Cemetery is located outside and to the south of Chimayo.
    • The El Potrero de Chimayo Holy Family Parish Cemetery has also been known as:
    • Chimayo Catholic Cemetery
    • Holy Family Church Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2401486 <4>
  • Rio Chiquito Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
  • Nuestra Senora de Dolores Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
  • Cundiyo Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cundiyo Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cundiyo Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Santo Domingo Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
  • La Puebla Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • Campo Santo Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Campo Santo Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Campo Santo Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Cordova Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cordova Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cordova Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • San Miguel Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the San Miguel Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the San Miguel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
  • Llanitos Catholic Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
  • New Santa Cruz Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
  • Continue List   (54 more) ...
    • Santa Cruz Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Cementerio del Pueblo de Truchas Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cementerio del Pueblo de Truchas Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cementerio del Pueblo de Truchas 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.<6>

While we didn't find Potrero in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Potrero.

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

  • Santa Cruz
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
  • Pojoaque
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pojoaque have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pojoaque
    • Pojoaque is located in Santa Fe County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pojoaque <2>
  • Espanola
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
  • Jacona
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Jacona. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jacona
    • Jacona is located in Santa Fe County
  • Alcalde
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
  • Chamita
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chamita
    • Chamita is located in Rio Arriba County
  • Velarde
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
  • Embudo
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
  • Rinconada
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rinconada have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rinconada
    • Rinconada is located in Rio Arriba County
  • Penasco
    (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Penasco have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Penasco
    • Penasco is located in Taos County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Penasco <2>
  • Barranca
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barranca have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barranca
    • Barranca is located in Taos County
  • Santa Fe
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
  • Continue List   (4 more) ...

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

Newspapers Published in Potrero ...

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 Potrero.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Potrero, there are papers which were published within 22 miles [35.4 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Potrero.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

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

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

The official website for Santa Fe County: www.co.santa-fe.nm.us/

The official website for State of New Mexico: https://www.nm.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>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.
<5>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Potrero) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Potrero. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.9897, Longitude: -105.9336       In this case, the coordinates for Potrero have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>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 Potrero, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025