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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 Kempster (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 Kempster. 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 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.

Kempster is located in Langlade County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Langlade County: Forest, Lincoln, Marathon, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida & Shawano.

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

  • Langlade County     (The home county of Kempster)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Kempster, with the one closest to Kempster listed first.
    • Deerbrook
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Bryant
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Bryant. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bryant
      • Bryant is located in Langlade County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Bryant
      • From Kempster to Bryant
    • Elcho
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Antigo
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Post Lake
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
    • Lily
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Lily. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lily
      • Lily is located in Langlade County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Lily
      • From Kempster to Lily
    • Freeman
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Freeman. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freeman
      • Freeman is located in Langlade County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Freeman
      • From Kempster to Freeman
    • Phlox
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
    • White Lake
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for White Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Lake
      • White Lake is located in Langlade County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 353 people
  • Forest County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Kempster, with the one closest to Kempster listed first.
    • Mole Lake
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Crandon
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
    • Atkins
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Atkins. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Atkins
      • Atkins is located in Forest County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Atkins
      • From Kempster to Atkins
    • Padus
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Hiles
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hiles have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hiles
      • Hiles is located in Forest County
    • Laona
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Lincoln County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Kempster, with the one closest to Kempster listed first.
    • Dudley
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Gleason
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
    • Dutch Corners ‑ Historic
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Harrison
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Irma
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • Merrill
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Merrill have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Merrill
      • Merrill is located in Lincoln County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 8,990 people
    • Tomahawk
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Marathon County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Kempster, with the one closest to Kempster listed first.
    • Glandon
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • Sunset
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Nutterville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Norrie
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Norrie have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norrie
      • Norrie is located in Marathon County
    • Hatley
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Brokaw
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brokaw have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brokaw
      • Brokaw is located in Marathon County
      • Estimated population in 2018: 245 people
    • Ringle
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Menominee County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Kempster, with the one closest to Kempster listed first.
    • Zoar
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
    • Neopit
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Neopit have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Neopit
      • Neopit is located in Menominee County
  • Oconto County
  • Oneida County
  • Shawano County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Kempster, with the one closest to Kempster listed first.
    • Aniwa
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aniwa have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aniwa
      • Aniwa is located in Shawano County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 252 people
    • Mattoon
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mattoon have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mattoon
      • Mattoon is located in Shawano County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 412 people
    • Birnamwood
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Birnamwood. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birnamwood
      • Birnamwood is located in Shawano County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 772 people
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Birnamwood
      • From Kempster to Birnamwood
    • Almon
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • Regina
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Regina. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Regina
      • Regina is located in Shawano County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Regina
      • From Kempster to Regina
    • Eland
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Bowler
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bowler have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowler
      • Bowler is located in Shawano County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 286 people

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

Cemeteries Near Kempster ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Kempster.

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

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

  • Neva Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Neva Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Neva Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Lakeside Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lakeside Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lakeside Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Peck Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Peck Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Peck Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Evergreen Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Evergreen Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Evergreen Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Bent Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bent Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bent Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Antigo Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Antigo Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Antigo Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Queen of Peace Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Queen of Peace Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Queen of Peace Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Elcho Community Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
  • Pearson Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
  • Summit Town Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
  • Forest View Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Forest View Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Forest View Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Bohemian Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bohemian Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bohemian Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (73 more) ...
    • Elmwood Cemetery
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Elmwood Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Elmwood Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Hall Pioneer Cemetery
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hall Pioneer Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hall Pioneer Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Sherry Cemetery
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sherry Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sherry 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.<4>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Kempster had railroad service and no post office.

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

  • Koepenick
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Koepenick have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Koepenick
    • Koepenick is located in Langlade County
  • Deerbrook
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Summit Lake
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Summit Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summit Lake
    • Summit Lake is located in Langlade County
  • Bryant
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Bryant. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bryant
    • Bryant is located in Langlade County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Bryant
    • From Kempster to Bryant
  • Antigo
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
  • Elcho
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
  • Post Lake
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
  • Pelican Lake
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
  • Dudley
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
  • Elmhurst
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elmhurst have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elmhurst
    • Elmhurst is located in Langlade County
  • Elton
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elton
    • Elton is located in Langlade County
  • Lily
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Lily. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lily
    • Lily is located in Langlade County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Lily
    • From Kempster to Lily
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Bloomville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bloomville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bloomville
      • Bloomville is located in Lincoln County
    • Phlox
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
    • Hogarty
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hogarty have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hogarty
      • Hogarty is located in Marathon County

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

Newspapers Published in Kempster ...

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 48 newspapers that have been published in the area around Kempster.

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

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 Kempster:

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

The official website for Langlade County: www.co.langlade.wi.us/

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>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.
<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 Kempster, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<5>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- Kempster) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Kempster. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 45.2896, Longitude: -89.1665       In this case, the coordinates for Kempster have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025