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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 Topside (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 Topside. 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.

Topside is located in Bayfield 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 Bayfield County: Ashland, Douglas, Sawyer & Washburn.

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

  • Bayfield County     (The home county of Topside)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Topside, with the one closest to Topside listed first.
    • Delta
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delta
      • Delta is located in Bayfield County
    • Sutherland
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sutherland
      • Sutherland is located in Bayfield County
    • Moquah
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moquah
      • Moquah is located in Bayfield County
    • Benoit
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benoit
      • Benoit is located in Bayfield County
    • Mason
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mason have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mason
      • Mason is located in Bayfield County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 99 people
    • Washburn
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Washburn
      • Washburn is located in Bayfield County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,049 people
    • Cable
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cable
      • Cable is located in Bayfield County
    • Bayfield
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bayfield
      • Bayfield is located in Bayfield County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 474 people
  • Ashland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Topside, with the one closest to Topside listed first.
    • Ashland
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashland
      • Ashland is located in Ashland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,766 people
    • White River
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for White River. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White River
      • White River is located in Ashland County
    • Marengo
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marengo
      • Marengo is located in Ashland County
    • Odanah
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Odanah
      • Odanah is located in Ashland County
    • La Pointe
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Pointe
      • La Pointe is located in Ashland County
    • High Bridge
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for High Bridge
      • High Bridge is located in Ashland County
  • Douglas County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Topside, with the one closest to Topside listed first.
    • Cloverland
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cloverland have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cloverland
      • Cloverland is located in Douglas County
    • Lake Nebagamon
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lake Nebagamon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Nebagamon
      • Lake Nebagamon is located in Douglas County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,064 people
    • Poplar
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Poplar
      • Poplar is located in Douglas County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 613 people
    • Hawthorne
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hawthorne
      • Hawthorne is located in Douglas County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,157 people
    • Sauntry
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sauntry
      • Sauntry is located in Douglas County
    • Bennett
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bennett have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bennett
      • Bennett is located in Douglas County
    • Solon Springs
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Solon Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Solon Springs
      • Solon Springs is located in Douglas County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 604 people
  • Sawyer County
    • Seeley
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seeley
      • Seeley is located in Sawyer County

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

Cemeteries Near Topside ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Topside.

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

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

  • City Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the City Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the City Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Valley View Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Valley View Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Valley View Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pike River Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pike River Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pike River Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pine Glade Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pine Glade Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pine Glade Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Hillside Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hillside Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hillside Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Hillcrest Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hillcrest Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hillcrest Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. Peters Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Peters Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Peters Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Oulu Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oulu Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oulu Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Ever Rest Cemetery
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ever Rest Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ever Rest Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pine Ridge Cemetery
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pine Ridge Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pine Ridge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Greenwood Cemetery
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Greenwood Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Greenwood Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Mason Cemetery
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mason Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mason Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (25 more) ...
    • Rest Haven Cemetery
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Rest Haven Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Rest Haven Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Blueberry Cemetery
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Blueberry Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Blueberry Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Highland Memorial Cemetery
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Highland Memorial Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Highland Memorial 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.<3>

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

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

  • Iron River
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Iron River have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Iron River
    • Iron River is located in Bayfield County
  • Pike River
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pike River have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pike River
    • Pike River is located in Bayfield County
  • Ino
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ino have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ino
    • Ino is located in Bayfield County
  • Muskeg
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Muskeg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Muskeg
    • Muskeg is located in Bayfield County
  • Moquah
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moquah
    • Moquah is located in Bayfield County
  • Benoit
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benoit
    • Benoit is located in Bayfield County
  • Brule
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brule have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brule
    • Brule is located in Douglas County
  • Drummond
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Drummond have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drummond
    • Drummond is located in Bayfield County
  • Mason
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mason have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mason
    • Mason is located in Bayfield County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 99 people
  • Ashland Junction
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ashland Junction have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashland Junction
    • Ashland Junction is located in Bayfield County
  • Blueberry
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Blueberry have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blueberry
    • Blueberry is located in Douglas County
  • Maple
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maple have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maple
    • Maple is located in Douglas County
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Ashland
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashland
      • Ashland is located in Ashland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,766 people
    • Sanborn
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sanborn have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sanborn
      • Sanborn is located in Ashland County
    • Washburn
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Washburn
      • Washburn is located in Bayfield County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,049 people

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

Newspapers Published in Topside ...

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 41 newspapers that have been published in the area around Topside.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Topside, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Topside.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit 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 Topside:

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

The official website for Bayfield County: www.bayfieldcounty.org/

The official website for State of Wisconsin: https://www.wisconsin.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>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.
<3>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 Topside, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Topside) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Topside. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 46.5591, Longitude: -91.3227       In this case, the coordinates for Topside have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025