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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 Desdemona (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 Desdemona. 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 and doctors 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.

Desdemona is located in Eastland County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Eastland County: Brown, Callahan, Comanche, Erath, Palo Pinto, Shackelford & Stephens.

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

  • Eastland County     (The home county of Desdemona)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Desdemona, with the one closest to Desdemona listed first.
    • Gorman
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gorman have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gorman
      • Gorman is located in Eastland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,033 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gorman <2>
    • Kokomo
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Olden
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Ranger
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Carbon
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carbon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carbon
      • Carbon is located in Eastland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 276 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Carbon <2>
    • Eastland
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
    • Mangum ‑ Historic
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mangum have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mangum
      • Mangum is located in Eastland County
    • Okra
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Okra. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Okra
      • Okra is located in Eastland County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Okra
      • From Desdemona to Okra
    • Cisco
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cisco have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cisco
      • Cisco is located in Eastland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,850 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cisco <2>
    • Rising Star
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Nimrod ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
  • Brown County
    • May
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for May have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for May
      • May is located in Brown County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for May <2>
  • Comanche County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Desdemona, with the one closest to Desdemona listed first.
    • Rucker
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • De Leon
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Duster
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Duster. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duster
      • Duster is located in Comanche County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Duster
      • From Desdemona to Duster
    • Comyn
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Sipe Springs
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • Proctor
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Proctor have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Proctor
      • Proctor is located in Comanche County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Proctor <2>
    • Ararat ‑ Historic
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Ararat. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ararat
      • Ararat is located in Comanche County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Ararat
      • From Desdemona to Ararat
    • Sidney
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sidney have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sidney
      • Sidney is located in Comanche County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sidney <2>
    • Comanche
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • Wilson
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Wilson. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilson
      • Wilson is located in Comanche County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Wilson
      • From Desdemona to Wilson
    • Gustine
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gustine have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gustine
      • Gustine is located in Comanche County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 474 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gustine <2>
  • Erath County
  • Palo Pinto County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Desdemona, with the one closest to Desdemona listed first.
    • Mingus
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mingus have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mingus
      • Mingus is located in Palo Pinto County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 256 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mingus <2>
    • Strawn
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Gordon
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Santo
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Stephens County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Desdemona, with the one closest to Desdemona listed first.
    • La Casa ‑ Historic
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Gunsight ‑ Historic
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Wayland
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Wayland. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wayland
      • Wayland is located in Stephens County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Wayland
      • From Desdemona to Wayland
    • Necessity
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)

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

Cemeteries Near Desdemona ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Desdemona.

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

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

  • Howard Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Howard Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Howard Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Lowell Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lowell Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lowell Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Ellison Spring Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ellison Spring Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ellison Spring Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • School Hill Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the School Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the School Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Old School Hill Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Old School Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Old School Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Alameda Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Alameda Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Alameda Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Bethel Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bethel Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bethel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Mt. Zion Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Zion Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Zion Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Davidson Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Davidson Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Davidson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Gregg Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gregg Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gregg Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Simpson Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Simpson Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Simpson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Cook Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cook Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cook Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (126 more) ...
    • Weaver Cemetery
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Weaver Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Weaver Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • West End Cemetery
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the West End Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the West End Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • East End Cemetery
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the East End Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the East End 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 Desdemona had a population of 410 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

  • Victor
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Victor have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Victor
    • Victor is located in Erath County
  • Gorman
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gorman have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gorman
    • Gorman is located in Eastland County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,033 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gorman <2>
  • Highland
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Highland have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Highland
    • Highland is located in Erath County
  • Lingleville
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lingleville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lingleville
    • Lingleville is located in Erath County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lingleville <2>
  • De Leon
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
  • Bunyan
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
  • Duster
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Duster. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duster
    • Duster is located in Comanche County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Duster
    • From Desdemona to Duster
  • Hannibal
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Hannibal. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hannibal
    • Hannibal is located in Erath County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Hannibal
    • From Desdemona to Hannibal
  • Huckabay
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Huckabay have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huckabay
    • Huckabay is located in Erath County
  • Ranger
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
  • Olden
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
  • Tiffin
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tiffin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tiffin
    • Tiffin is located in Eastland County
  • Continue List   (16 more) ...
    • Carbon
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carbon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carbon
      • Carbon is located in Eastland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 276 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Carbon <2>
    • Downing
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Downing have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Downing
      • Downing is located in Comanche County
    • Dublin
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)

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

Newspapers Published in Desdemona ...

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 83 newspapers that have been published in the area around Desdemona.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Desdemona, there are papers which were published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Desdemona.

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 helpful 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 Desdemona:

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

The official website for Eastland County: www.eastlandcountytexas.com/

The official website for State of Texas: https://texas.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 Desdemona, 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 obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Desdemona) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Desdemona. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 32.2708, Longitude: -98.5506    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025