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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 New Salem (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 New Salem. 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 southeast 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 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 east 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.

New Salem is located in Rusk 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 Rusk County: Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Nacogdoches, Panola, Shelby & Smith.

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

  • Rusk County     (The home county of New Salem)
  • Anderson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • Herring
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Herring. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Herring
      • Herring is located in Anderson County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Herring
      • From New Salem to Herring
    • Todd City
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Todd City. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Todd City
      • Todd City is located in Anderson County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Todd City
      • From New Salem to Todd City
  • Cherokee County
  • Houston County
    • Bluff City ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bluff City have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluff City
      • Bluff City is located in Houston County
  • Nacogdoches County
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • Sacul
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sacul have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sacul
      • Sacul is located in Nacogdoches County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sacul <1>
    • Dextra
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Dextra. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dextra
      • Dextra is located in Nacogdoches County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Dextra
      • From New Salem to Dextra
    • Cushing
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cushing have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cushing
      • Cushing is located in Nacogdoches County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 614 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cushing <1>
    • Looneyville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Nat
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Trawick
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Trawick. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trawick
      • Trawick is located in Nacogdoches County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Trawick
      • From New Salem to Trawick
    • Douglass
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Appleby
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Redfield
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Alazan
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Fitze
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Fitze. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fitze
      • Fitze is located in Nacogdoches County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Fitze
      • From New Salem to Fitze
    • Garrison
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
  • Panola County
  • Smith County
    • The following are listed by their distance from New Salem, with the one closest to New Salem listed first.
    • Wright City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wright City have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wright City
      • Wright City is located in Smith County
    • Sinclair City
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sinclair City have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sinclair City
      • Sinclair City is located in Smith County
    • Arp
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
    • Omen
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Whitehouse
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Whitehouse have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitehouse
      • Whitehouse is located in Smith County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 9,108 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Whitehouse <1>
    • Jamestown ‑ Historic
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Jamestown. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jamestown
      • Jamestown is located in Smith County
      • Jamestown has also been known as:
      • Jimtown
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Jamestown
      • From New Salem to Jamestown
    • New Chapel Hill
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for New Chapel Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Chapel Hill
      • New Chapel Hill is located in Smith County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 667 people
    • Flint
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Teaselville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Gresham
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Lee Spring
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lee Spring have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lee Spring
      • Lee Spring is located in Smith County

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

Cemeteries Near New Salem ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of New Salem.

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

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

  • Medford Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Medford Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Medford Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Wiggins Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wiggins Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wiggins Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Walkers Chapel Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Walkers Chapel Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Walkers Chapel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Anadarko Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Vaughn Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Vaughn Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Vaughn Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Cool Springs Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cool Springs Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cool Springs Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Wiggins Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wiggins Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wiggins Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Garrett Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Garrett Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Garrett Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Union Hill Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Union Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Union Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Boatright Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Boatright Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Boatright Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Myrtle Springs Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Myrtle Springs Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Myrtle Springs Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Walker Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Walker Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Walker Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (293 more) ...
    • Blanton Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Blanton Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Blanton Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Dansby Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dansby Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dansby Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Glenfawn Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Glenfawn Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Glenfawn Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> 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 New Salem had a population of 289 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

  • Lone Star
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lone Star have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lone Star
    • Lone Star is located in Cherokee County
  • Glenfawn
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Glenfawn have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenfawn
    • Glenfawn is located in Rusk County
  • Laneville
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
  • Griffin
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Griffin. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Griffin
    • Griffin is located in Cherokee County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Griffin
    • From New Salem to Griffin
  • New Birmingham ‑ Historic
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
  • Looneyville
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
  • Rusk
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
  • Minden
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Minden have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minden
    • Minden is located in Rusk County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Minden <1>
  • Linn Flat
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Linn Flat have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Linn Flat
    • Linn Flat is located in Nacogdoches County
  • Mount Enterprise
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
  • Troup
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Henderson
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
  • Continue List   (18 more) ...
    • Mixon
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Mixon. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mixon
      • Mixon is located in Cherokee County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Mixon
      • From New Salem to Mixon
    • Jacksonville
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Linwood
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Linwood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Linwood
      • Linwood is located in Cherokee County

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

Newspapers Published in New Salem ...

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 55 newspapers that have been published in the area around New Salem.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of New Salem, there are papers which were published within 24 miles [38.6 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for New Salem.

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 New Salem:

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

The official website for State of Texas: https://texas.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 New Salem, 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' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- New Salem) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in New Salem. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 31.9415, Longitude: -94.9599    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025