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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 Gonzales (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 Gonzales. 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 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.

Gonzales is located in Gonzales County and is the County Seat.

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 Gonzales County: Bastrop, Caldwell, DeWitt, Fayette, Guadalupe, Karnes, Lavaca & Wilson.

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

  • Gonzales County     (The home county of Gonzales)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gonzales, with the one closest to Gonzales listed first.
    • Cost
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cost have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cost
      • Cost is located in Gonzales County
    • Oak Forest
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Oak Forest. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Forest
      • Oak Forest is located in Gonzales County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Oak Forest
      • From Gonzales to Oak Forest
    • Hamon
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Monthalia ‑ Historic
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Monthalia have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monthalia
      • Monthalia is located in Gonzales County
    • Ottine
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ottine have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ottine
      • Ottine is located in Gonzales County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ottine <3>
    • Kokernot
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Kokernot. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kokernot
      • Kokernot is located in Gonzales County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Kokernot
      • From Gonzales to Kokernot
    • Harwood
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
    • Glaze City
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Glaze City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glaze City
      • Glaze City is located in Gonzales County
    • Wrightsboro
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wrightsboro have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wrightsboro
      • Wrightsboro is located in Gonzales County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wrightsboro <3>
    • Sandy Fork
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Bebe
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Belmont
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
  • Bastrop County
  • Caldwell County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gonzales, with the one closest to Gonzales listed first.
    • Luling
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
    • McNeil
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Soda Springs
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Tilmon
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Tilmon. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tilmon
      • Tilmon is located in Caldwell County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Tilmon
      • From Gonzales to Tilmon
    • Brownsboro
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brownsboro have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brownsboro
      • Brownsboro is located in Caldwell County
    • Delhi
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Joliet
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Joliet. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joliet
      • Joliet is located in Caldwell County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Joliet
      • From Gonzales to Joliet
    • Stairtown
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stairtown have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stairtown
      • Stairtown is located in Caldwell County
    • Mineral Springs ‑ Historic
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mineral Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mineral Springs
      • Mineral Springs is located in Caldwell County
    • Prairie Lea
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prairie Lea have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairie Lea
      • Prairie Lea is located in Caldwell County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Prairie Lea <3>
    • Seawillow
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Seawillow have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seawillow
      • Seawillow is located in Caldwell County
    • McMahan
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McMahan have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McMahan
      • McMahan is located in Caldwell County
  • DeWitt County
  • Fayette County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gonzales, with the one closest to Gonzales listed first.
    • Colony
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Colony. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colony
      • Colony is located in Fayette County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Colony
      • From Gonzales to Colony
    • Flatonia
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Cistern
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Praha
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Engle
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Guadalupe County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gonzales, with the one closest to Gonzales listed first.
    • Kingsbury
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Weinert
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Weinert. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weinert
      • Weinert is located in Guadalupe County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Weinert
      • From Gonzales to Weinert
    • Staples
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Dugger
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Dugger. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dugger
      • Dugger is located in Guadalupe County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Dugger
      • From Gonzales to Dugger
    • Lauback
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lauback have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lauback
      • Lauback is located in Guadalupe County
  • Lavaca County
  • Wilson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gonzales, with the one closest to Gonzales listed first.
    • Union
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Union. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union
      • Union is located in Wilson County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Union
      • From Gonzales to Union
    • Pandora
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Nockenut
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Nockenut. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nockenut
      • Nockenut is located in Wilson County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Nockenut
      • From Gonzales to Nockenut
    • Caddo
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)

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

Cemeteries Near Gonzales ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Gonzales.

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

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

  • Gonzales Memorial Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
  • Camp Brazil Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
  • DeWitt Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the DeWitt Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the DeWitt Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pecan Branch Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pecan Branch Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pecan Branch Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Union Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Union Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Union Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Denton Creek Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Denton Creek Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Denton Creek Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • McKeller Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the McKeller Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the McKeller Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Princeville Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Princeville Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Princeville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #6182 <4>
  • Greenwood Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
  • Lone Oak Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
  • Hodge Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hodge Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hodge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Storey Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Storey Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Storey Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (181 more) ...
    • Randle Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Randle Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Randle Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Oso Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oso Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oso Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Watson Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Watson Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Watson 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.<5>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Gonzales had a population of 1,641 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Gonzales had a population of 7,596 people.

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

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Gonzales ...

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 Gonzales.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Gonzales. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Gonzales and those printed in the larger area surrounding Gonzales.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<6> of Gonzales.

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 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 Gonzales:

The official website for Gonzales: www.cityofgonzales.org/

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>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.
<3>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<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 Gonzales, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<6>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- Gonzales) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Gonzales. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 29.5067, Longitude: -97.4498    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025