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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 Idlewild (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 Idlewild. 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 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.

Idlewild is located in Door County.

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

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

  • Door County     (The home county of Idlewild)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Idlewild, with the one closest to Idlewild listed first.
    • Sturgeon Bay
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Little Sturgeon
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Egg Harbor
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Egg Harbor have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Egg Harbor
      • Egg Harbor is located in Door County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 202 people
    • Jacksonport
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Forestville
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Forestville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forestville
      • Forestville is located in Door County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 408 people
    • Brussels
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Namur
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Namur. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Namur
      • Namur is located in Door County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Namur
      • From Idlewild to Namur
    • Rosiere
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Rosiere. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosiere
      • Rosiere is located in Door County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Rosiere
      • From Idlewild to Rosiere
    • Fish Creek
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Baileys Harbor
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Ephraim
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ephraim have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ephraim
      • Ephraim is located in Door County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 283 people
    • North Bay
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Bay have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Bay
      • North Bay is located in Door County
    • Sister Bay
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
  • Brown County
  • Kewaunee County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Idlewild, with the one closest to Idlewild listed first.
    • Algoma
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Gregorville
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Euren
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Duvall
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Casco
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Luxemburg
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Luxemburg have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Luxemburg
      • Luxemburg is located in Kewaunee County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,577 people
    • Kewaunee
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
  • Marinette County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Idlewild, with the one closest to Idlewild listed first.
    • Marinette
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Peshtigo
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Harmony
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Rubys Corner
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Lake
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake
      • Lake is located in Marinette County
      • Estimated population in 2015: 1,136 people
  • Oconto County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Idlewild, with the one closest to Idlewild listed first.
    • Oconto
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Pensaukee
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Pensaukee. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pensaukee
      • Pensaukee is located in Oconto County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Pensaukee
      • From Idlewild to Pensaukee
    • Lena
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lena have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lena
      • Lena is located in Oconto County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 540 people
    • Stiles Junction
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • Menominee County (MI)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Idlewild, with the one closest to Idlewild listed first.
    • Menominee
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Kew
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Kew. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kew
      • Kew is located in Menominee County (MI)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Kew
      • From Idlewild to Kew
    • Carbondale
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
    • Arthur Bay
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Arthur Bay. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arthur Bay
      • Arthur Bay is located in Menominee County (MI)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Arthur Bay
      • From Idlewild to Arthur Bay

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

Cemeteries Near Idlewild ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Idlewild.

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

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

  • Hainesville Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hainesville Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hainesville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Bayside Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Salem Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Salem Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Salem Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Schulties Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Schulties Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Schulties Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Schumacher - Nasewaupee Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Schumacher - Nasewaupee Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Schumacher - Nasewaupee Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. Joseph Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Joseph Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Joseph Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • South Side Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
  • Stevenson Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Stevenson Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Stevenson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Geise Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Geise Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Geise Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Whitefish Bay Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Whitefish Bay Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Whitefish Bay Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. Joseph Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Joseph Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Joseph Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Precious Blood Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Continue List   (72 more) ...
    • Zion Cemetery
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Zion Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Zion Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • St. Johns Cemetery
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Johns Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Johns Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • White Star Cemetery
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the White Star Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the White Star 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.<6>

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

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

  • Sturgeon Bay
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Little Sturgeon
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Maplewood
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maplewood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maplewood
    • Maplewood is located in Door County
  • Salona
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Salona have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salona
    • Salona is located in Door County
  • Vignes
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vignes have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vignes
    • Vignes is located in Door County
  • Carnot
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carnot have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carnot
    • Carnot is located in Door County
  • Egg Harbor
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Egg Harbor have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Egg Harbor
    • Egg Harbor is located in Door County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 202 people
  • Forestville
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Forestville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forestville
    • Forestville is located in Door County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 408 people
  • Jacksonport
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
  • Brussels
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
  • Namur
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Namur. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Namur
    • Namur is located in Door County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Namur
    • From Idlewild to Namur
  • Rosiere
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Rosiere. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosiere
    • Rosiere is located in Door County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Rosiere
    • From Idlewild to Rosiere
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...

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

Newspapers Published in Idlewild ...

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 53 newspapers that have been published in the area around Idlewild.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Idlewild, 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 Idlewild.

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 websites either 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 Idlewild:

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

The official website for Door County: www.co.door.wi.gov/

The official website for State of Wisconsin: https://www.wisconsin.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>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.
<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>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>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 from Point A (ie- Idlewild) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Idlewild. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 44.8883, Longitude: -87.4281    
<6>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 Idlewild, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025