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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 Volga (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 Volga. 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 southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the west. 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 west 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.

Volga is located in Brookings County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Brookings County: Lincoln (MN), Deuel, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake & Moody.

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

  • Brookings County     (The home county of Volga)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Volga, with the one closest to Volga listed first.
    • Brookings
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Sunnyview
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Bruce
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Sinai
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sinai have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sinai
      • Sinai is located in Brookings County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 125 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sinai <1>
    • North Grove Addition
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Grove Addition have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Grove Addition
      • North Grove Addition is located in Brookings County
      • Estimated population in 2014: 471 people
    • Medary
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Medary have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Medary
      • Medary is located in Brookings County
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,442 people
    • Aurora
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aurora have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aurora
      • Aurora is located in Brookings County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 866 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Aurora <1>
    • Bushnell
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
    • White
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for White have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White
      • White is located in Brookings County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 487 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for White <1>
    • Elkton
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
  • Deuel County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Volga, with the one closest to Volga listed first.
    • Johnsonville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Toronto
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Astoria
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Astoria have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Astoria
      • Astoria is located in Deuel County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 134 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Astoria <1>
    • Brandt
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brandt have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brandt
      • Brandt is located in Deuel County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 107 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Brandt <1>
  • Hamlin County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Volga, with the one closest to Volga listed first.
    • Estelline
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Estelline have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Estelline
      • Estelline is located in Hamlin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 744 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Estelline <1>
    • Stone Bridge
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stone Bridge have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stone Bridge
      • Stone Bridge is located in Hamlin County
      • Estimated population in 2014: 105 people
    • Alsville
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Dempster
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Lake Norden
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Hayti
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hayti have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hayti
      • Hayti is located in Hamlin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 381 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hayti <1>
    • Castlewood
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
    • Kones Corner
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
  • Kingsbury County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Volga, with the one closest to Volga listed first.
    • Arlington
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Arlington have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arlington
      • Arlington is located in Kingsbury County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 872 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Arlington <1>
    • Hetland
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Badger
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Oldham
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oldham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oldham
      • Oldham is located in Kingsbury County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 120 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Oldham <1>
    • Lake Preston
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
    • Erwin
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Erwin have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Erwin
      • Erwin is located in Kingsbury County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 45 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Erwin <1>
  • Lake County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Volga, with the one closest to Volga listed first.
    • Nunda
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nunda have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nunda
      • Nunda is located in Lake County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 50 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Nunda <1>
    • Rutland
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Ramona
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ramona have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ramona
      • Ramona is located in Lake County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 202 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ramona <1>
    • Wentworth
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • Madison
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
    • Prairie Village
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prairie Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairie Village
      • Prairie Village is located in Lake County
      • Estimated population in 2014: 18 people
    • Peninsula Park
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Peninsula Park have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peninsula Park
      • Peninsula Park is located in Lake County
      • Estimated population in 2014: 32 people
    • Junius
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Brant Lake
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
    • Chester
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Franklin
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Franklin have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Franklin
      • Franklin is located in Lake County
      • Estimated population in 2014: 333 people
  • Moody County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Volga, with the one closest to Volga listed first.
    • Dyce ‑ Historic
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Dyce. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dyce
      • Dyce is located in Moody County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Dyce
      • From Volga to Dyce
    • Colman
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Lone Tree
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lone Tree have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lone Tree
      • Lone Tree is located in Moody County
      • Estimated population in 2014: 14 people
    • Flandreau
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Flandreau have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flandreau
      • Flandreau is located in Moody County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,293 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Flandreau <1>
    • Ward
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ward have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ward
      • Ward is located in Moody County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 51 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ward <1>
    • Egan
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Egan have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Egan
      • Egan is located in Moody County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 270 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Egan <1>
    • Sioux Falls Junction
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sioux Falls Junction have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sioux Falls Junction
      • Sioux Falls Junction is located in Moody County
      • Estimated population in 2014: 119 people
  • Lincoln County (MN)

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

Cemeteries Near Volga ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Volga.

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

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

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.<5>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Volga had a population of 298 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Volga had a population of 2,080 people.

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

  • Brookings
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
  • Bruce
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
  • Sinai
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sinai have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sinai
    • Sinai is located in Brookings County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 125 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sinai <1>
  • Arlington
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Arlington have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arlington
    • Arlington is located in Kingsbury County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 872 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Arlington <1>
  • Aurora
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aurora have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aurora
    • Aurora is located in Brookings County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 866 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Aurora <1>
  • Prairie Queen ‑ Historic
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prairie Queen have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairie Queen
    • Prairie Queen is located in Lake County
  • Bushnell
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
  • White
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for White have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White
    • White is located in Brookings County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 487 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for White <1>
  • Hetland
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
  • Estelline
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Estelline have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Estelline
    • Estelline is located in Hamlin County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 744 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Estelline <1>
  • Oldham
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oldham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oldham
    • Oldham is located in Kingsbury County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 120 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Oldham <1>
  • Ramona
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ramona have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ramona
    • Ramona is located in Lake County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 202 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ramona <1>
  • 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 Volga. See our List of 1890's Communities around Volga.

Newspapers Published in Volga ...

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 56 newspapers that have been published in the area around Volga.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Volga, there are papers which were published within 27 miles [43.5 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Volga.

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 Volga:

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

The official website for Brookings County: www.brookingscountysd.gov/

The official website for State of South Dakota: https://www.sd.gov/

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 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.
<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>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 Volga, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<6>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 from Point A (ie- Volga) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Volga. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 44.3250, Longitude: -96.9216    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025