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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 Woodruff (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 Woodruff. 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 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.

Woodruff is primarily located in Oneida County. A portion of Woodruff extends into Vilas 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 Oneida County: Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Price & Vilas.

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

  • Oneida County     (The home county of Woodruff)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Woodruff, with the one closest to Woodruff listed first.
    • Hazelhurst
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Harshaw
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Newbold
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Newbold have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newbold
      • Newbold is located in Oneida County
    • Sugar Camp
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
    • Rhinelander
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Iron County
  • Lincoln County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Woodruff, with the one closest to Woodruff listed first.
    • Jersey City
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • 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
    • Tomahawk
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Harrison
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
  • Vilas County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Woodruff, with the one closest to Woodruff listed first.
    • Saint Germain
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Sayner
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Lac du Flambeau
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Manitowish Waters
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Manitowish Waters have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manitowish Waters
      • Manitowish Waters is located in Vilas County
    • Eagle River
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
    • Katinka Village
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Katinka Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Katinka Village
      • Katinka Village is located in Vilas County
    • Conover
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
    • Land O'Lakes
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)

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

Cemeteries Near Woodruff ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Woodruff.

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

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

  • Evergreen Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Forest Garden Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Forest Garden Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Forest Garden Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Lakeside Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • 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.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Wilderness Rest Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wilderness Rest Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wilderness Rest Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. Germain Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Germain Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Germain Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Plum Lake Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
  • Presbyterian Church Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
  • Newbold Memorial Cemetery
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Newbold Memorial Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Newbold Memorial Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Union Grove Cemetery
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Union Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Union Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pines Cemetery
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pines Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pines Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Prairie Rapids Cemetery
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Prairie Rapids Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Prairie Rapids Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Woodboro Cemetery
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Woodboro Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Woodboro Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Forest Home Cemetery
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Forest Home Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Forest Home Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Winchester Memorial Cemetery
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Winchester Memorial Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Winchester 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, Woodruff had a post office and railroad service.

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

  • Minocqua
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Minocqua have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minocqua
    • Minocqua is located in Oneida County
  • Hazelhurst
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
  • Goodnow
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Goodnow have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goodnow
    • Goodnow is located in Oneida County
  • McNaughton
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McNaughton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McNaughton
    • McNaughton is located in Oneida County
  • Harshaw
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
  • Newbold
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Newbold have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newbold
    • Newbold is located in Oneida County
  • Eagle River
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
  • Manson ‑ Historic
    (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Manson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manson
    • Manson is located in Oneida County
  • Rhinelander
    (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Bradley
    (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bradley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bradley
    • Bradley is located in Lincoln County
  • Heafford Junction
    (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Heafford Junction have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heafford Junction
    • Heafford Junction is located in Lincoln County
  • McCord
    (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McCord have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McCord
    • McCord is located in Lincoln County
  • Continue List   (4 more) ...
    • Mercer
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mercer have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mercer
      • Mercer is located in Iron County
    • Malvern
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Malvern have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malvern
      • Malvern is located in Oneida County
    • Tomahawk
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)

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

Newspapers Published in Woodruff ...

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 31 newspapers that have been published in the area around Woodruff.

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

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we like to start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These 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 Woodruff:

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

The official website for Oneida County: www.co.oneida.wi.gov/

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>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.
<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 Woodruff, 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' (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- Woodruff) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Woodruff. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 45.8966, Longitude: -89.6978    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025