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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 Matilda (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 Matilda. 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 doctors and 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.

Matilda is located in Jackson 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 Jackson County: Calhoun, Lavaca, Matagorda, Victoria & Wharton.

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

  • Jackson County     (The home county of Matilda)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Matilda, with the one closest to Matilda listed first.
    • Edna
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edna have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edna
      • Edna is located in Jackson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,755 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Edna <2>
    • Vanderbilt
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vanderbilt have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vanderbilt
      • Vanderbilt is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Vanderbilt <2>
    • Ganado
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • La Salle
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for La Salle have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Salle
      • La Salle is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for La Salle <2>
    • Lolita
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lolita have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lolita
      • Lolita is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lolita <2>
    • Morales
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • La Ward
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for La Ward have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Ward
      • La Ward is located in Jackson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 233 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for La Ward <2>
    • Francitas
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Francitas have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Francitas
      • Francitas is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Francitas <2>
    • Weedhaven
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Calhoun County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Matilda, with the one closest to Matilda listed first.
    • Point Comfort
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Point Comfort have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Point Comfort
      • Point Comfort is located in Calhoun County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 652 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Point Comfort <2>
    • Kamey
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Kamey. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kamey
      • Kamey is located in Calhoun County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Kamey
      • From Matilda to Kamey
    • Port Lavaca
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Port Alto
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Colorado County
    • Provident City ‑ Historic
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Provident City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Provident City
      • Provident City is located in Colorado County
  • DeWitt County
  • Lavaca County
  • Matagorda County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Matilda, with the one closest to Matilda listed first.
    • Blessing
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Blessing have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blessing
      • Blessing is located in Matagorda County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Blessing <2>
    • Midfield
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Midfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Midfield
      • Midfield is located in Matagorda County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Midfield <2>
  • Victoria County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Matilda, with the one closest to Matilda listed first.
    • Inez
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Inez have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Inez
      • Inez is located in Victoria County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Inez <2>
    • Telferner
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Dacosta
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Placedo
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Placedo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Placedo
      • Placedo is located in Victoria County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Placedo <2>
    • Victoria
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Hughes ‑ Historic
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hughes have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hughes
      • Hughes is located in Victoria County
    • Bloomington
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bloomington have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bloomington
      • Bloomington is located in Victoria County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bloomington <2>
    • Nursery
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
  • Wharton County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Matilda, with the one closest to Matilda listed first.
    • Louise
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Hillje
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Hahn
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Danevang
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Danevang have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Danevang
      • Danevang is located in Wharton County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Danevang <2>
    • El Campo
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for El Campo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for El Campo
      • El Campo is located in Wharton County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 11,502 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for El Campo <2>

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

Cemeteries Near Matilda ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Matilda.

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

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

  • Sayle Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sayle Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sayle Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Prairie City Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Prairie City Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Prairie City Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Milby Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Milby Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Milby Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Edwards Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Edwards Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Edwards Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Gideon Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gideon Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gideon Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Manly Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Manly Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Manly Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Russell Ward Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Harrison Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Harrison Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Harrison Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Burnettville Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Burnettville Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Burnettville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Laughter Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Laughter Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Laughter Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Mt. Olive Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
  • Kerr Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Kerr Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Kerr Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (74 more) ...
    • Bischoff Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bischoff Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bischoff Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Enon Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Enon Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Enon Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Red Bluff Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Red Bluff Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Red Bluff 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>

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

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

  • El Toro
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for El Toro have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for El Toro
    • El Toro is located in Jackson County
  • Edna
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edna have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edna
    • Edna is located in Jackson County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,755 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Edna <2>
  • Inez
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Inez have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Inez
    • Inez is located in Victoria County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Inez <2>
  • Navidad
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Navidad have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Navidad
    • Navidad is located in Jackson County
  • Ganado
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Morales
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Louise
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
  • Guadalupe
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Guadalupe have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Guadalupe
    • Guadalupe is located in Victoria County
  • Placedo
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Placedo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Placedo
    • Placedo is located in Victoria County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Placedo <2>
  • Victoria
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Port Lavaca
    (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
  • Ezzell
    (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
  • Continue List   (6 more) ...
    • Nursery
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
    • Hope
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Aloe
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aloe have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aloe
      • Aloe is located in Victoria County

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

Newspapers Published in Matilda ...

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 36 newspapers that have been published in the area around Matilda.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Matilda, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Matilda.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to 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 Matilda:

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

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>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 Matilda, 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- Matilda) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Matilda. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 28.9598, Longitude: -96.6802    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025