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 Merrill (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 Merrill. 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.

Merrill is located in Lincoln County and is the County Seat.

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 Lincoln County: Langlade, Marathon, Oneida, Price & Taylor.

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

• Lincoln County     (The home county of Merrill)
  • The following are listed by their distance from Merrill, with the one closest to Merrill listed first.
  • Dutch Corners ‑ Historic
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dutch Corners
    • Dutch Corners is located in Lincoln County
  • Gleason
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gleason
    • Gleason is located in Lincoln County
  • Dudley
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dudley
    • Dudley is located in Lincoln County
  • Tomahawk
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tomahawk
    • Tomahawk is located in Lincoln County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,133 people
  • Jersey City
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jersey City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jersey City
    • Jersey City is located in Lincoln County
  • Harrison
    (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harrison
    • Harrison is located in Lincoln County
• Langlade County
  • The following are listed by their distance from Merrill, with the one closest to Merrill listed first.
  • Antigo
    (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Antigo
    • Antigo is located in Langlade County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,719 people
  • Deerbrook
    (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deerbrook
    • Deerbrook is located in Langlade County
  • Kempster
    (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kempster have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kempster
    • Kempster is located in Langlade County
  • Elcho
    (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elcho
    • Elcho is located in Langlade County
• Marathon County
  • The following are listed by their distance from Merrill, with the one closest to Merrill listed first.
  • Emmerich
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emmerich
    • Emmerich is located in Marathon County
  • Naugart
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Naugart
    • Naugart is located in Marathon County
  • Taegesville
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Taegesville
    • Taegesville is located in Marathon County
  • Brokaw
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brokaw have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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
  • Hamburg
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamburg
    • Hamburg is located in Marathon County
  • Glandon
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glandon
    • Glandon is located in Marathon County
  • Wausau
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wausau
    • Wausau is located in Marathon County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 38,511 people
  • Nutterville
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nutterville
    • Nutterville is located in Marathon County
  • Sunset
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunset
    • Sunset is located in Marathon County
  • Rib Falls
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rib Falls
    • Rib Falls is located in Marathon County
  • Marathon City
    (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marathon City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marathon City
    • Marathon City is located in Marathon County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,516 people
  • Rib Mountain
    (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rib Mountain have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rib Mountain
    • Rib Mountain is located in Marathon County
• Shawano County
  • The following are listed by their distance from Merrill, with the one closest to Merrill listed first.
  • Aniwa
    (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aniwa have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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
  • Birnamwood
    (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Birnamwood have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birnamwood
    • Birnamwood is located in Shawano County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 772 people
• Taylor County
  • The following are listed by their distance from Merrill, with the one closest to Merrill listed first.
  • Rib Lake
    (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rib Lake
    • Rib Lake is located in Taylor County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 861 people
  • Stetsonville
    (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stetsonville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stetsonville
    • Stetsonville is located in Taylor County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 518 people

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Merrill ...

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 63 newspapers that have been published in the area around Merrill.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

• A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Merrill. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Merrill and those printed in the larger area surrounding Merrill.
• An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<2> of Merrill.

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 Merrill:

• Websites specific to Wisconsin
  • Jump to Cyndi's List
  • Jump to Family Search
  • Jump to Genealogy Trails
  • Website for the //www.wisconsinhistory.org/

• Pages specific to Lincoln County
  • Jump to Cyndi's List
  • Jump to Family Search
  • Jump to Genealogy Trails

• Genealogy information for nearby counties
  • Langlade County
    • Jump to Cyndi's List
    • Jump to Family Search
    • Jump to Genealogy Trails
  • Marathon County
    • Jump to Cyndi's List
    • Jump to Family Search
    • Jump to Genealogy Trails
  • Shawano County
    • Jump to Cyndi's List
    • Jump to Family Search
    • Jump to Genealogy Trails
  • Taylor County
    • Jump to Cyndi's List
    • Jump to Family Search
    • Jump to Genealogy Trails

• Cemetery Information and Directories for Wisconsin
  • Cemetery Junction: Cemeteries of Wisconsin
  • Cyndi's List
  • Cemeteries of Wisconsin
  • Cemeteries of Lincoln County
  • FamilySearch.org: Cemeteries of Wisconsin
  • Find-A-Grave: Home Page
  • Interment.net
  • Cemeteries of Wisconsin

Cemeteries Near Merrill ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Merrill.

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

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

• Merrill Cemetery
  (Less than 2 miles to the east)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Merrill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Merrill Cemetery
• Snow Hill Cemetery
  (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Snow Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Snow Hill Cemetery
• St. John Cemetery
  (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. John Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. John Cemetery
• Jehn Cemetery
  (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jehn Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jehn Cemetery
• St. James Cemetery
  (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. James Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. James Cemetery
• Zion Cemetery
  (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Zion Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Zion Cemetery
• St. Paul Cemetery
  (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Paul Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Paul Cemetery
• Calvary Cemetery
  (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Calvary Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Calvary Cemetery
• Maple Grove Cemetery
  (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Maple Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Maple Grove Cemetery
• Methodist Cemetery
  (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Methodist Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Methodist Cemetery
• Trinity Cemetery
  (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Trinity Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Trinity Cemetery
• Big Hill Cemetery
  (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Big Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Big Hill Cemetery
• Continue List   (83 more) ...
  • Town Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Town Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Town Cemetery
  • Springbrook Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Springbrook Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Springbrook Cemetery
  • Hamburg Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hamburg Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hamburg Cemetery

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.<3>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Merrill had a population of 6,809 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Merrill had a population of 8,990 people.

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

• Emmerich
  (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emmerich
  • Emmerich is located in Marathon County
• Naugart
  (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Naugart
  • Naugart is located in Marathon County
• Taegesville
  (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Taegesville
  • Taegesville is located in Marathon County
• Hamburg
  (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamburg
  • Hamburg is located in Marathon County
• Bloomville
  (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bloomville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bloomville
  • Bloomville is located in Lincoln County
• Irma
  (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Irma have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irma
  • Irma is located in Lincoln County
• Stettin ‑ Historic
  (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stettin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stettin
  • Stettin is located in Marathon County
• Wausau
  (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wausau
  • Wausau is located in Marathon County
  • Population from the 2020 Census: 38,511 people
• Nutterville
  (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nutterville
  • Nutterville is located in Marathon County
• Dudley
  (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dudley
  • Dudley is located in Lincoln County
• Rib Falls
  (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rib Falls
  • Rib Falls is located in Marathon County
• Wausau Junction
  (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
  • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wausau Junction have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wausau Junction
  • Wausau Junction is located in Marathon County
• Continue List   (14 more) ...
  • Gilbert
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gilbert have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilbert
    • Gilbert is located in Lincoln County
  • Schofield
    (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Schofield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Schofield
    • Schofield is located in Marathon County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,153 people
  • Poniatowski
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Poniatowski
    • Poniatowski 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 Merrill. See our List of 1890's Communities around Merrill.

Off-the-Road Links ...

The official website for Merrill: www.ci.merrill.wi.us/

The official website for Lincoln County: www.co.lincoln.wi.us/

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