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U.S. Gazetteer:
Locations of Significance to Our Ancestors

The following gazetter focuses on places of significance to my ancestors. The list is arranged by three major phases in American migration: Pre-Revolution and early Post-Revolution, the Louisiana Purchase territories, and the Gold Rush and Westward Expansion. Within each section the states and territories are listed chronologically as our ancestors settled in each area. Additionally, because we're now in the GPS age, I've included geographic coordinates down to the second (accurate to approximately 100 feet) on known or estimated locations.

Most the places linked below can be found through the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and displayed through a Google Maps server.

Having said that, in addition to mapping single points, Google Maps now offers a way to share customized maps with numerous icons. My saved maps can be called up in your browser through the Google Map icon.

Google Earth users can also download my genealogy ".kmz" map file by clicking on my Google Map File to import pertinent locations from my genealogy folder, organized in subfolders by surname. Enjoy!...but be patient, Google Earth takes a good while to load.

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East 13 Colonies/States and post Revolution	Mid-West Louisiana Purchase (1803) and "Manifest Destiny" (1839)	West Mexican Cession (1848) and Gold Rush (1849)
Massachusetts (1630) Pennsylvania (1685) Virginia (~1700) Connecticut (1716) Maryland (1745) Kentucky (1786) New York (~1797) Ohio (<1799) Vermont (<1804)	Indiana (1822) Iowa (1838) Illinois (<1843) Nebraska (~1859) Kansas (~1887) Wisconsin (~1889) Minnesota (<1905)	California (1851) Oregon (>1920)

Non-U.S. Gazetteer

East: Original 13 Colonies/States & Early Post-Revolution

Massachusetts (1630)

• Middlesex County (1641)
• Woburn (422845N 0710908W/42.4792618 -71.1522766),
  residence of the Deacon Edward CONVERSE from 1644
• First Burial Ground of Woburn, Park Street (roughly 422853N 0710908W/42.4813889 -71.1522222),
  burial place of Deacon Edward CONVERSE, 1663, and family
  see Toni LASSETER's "Ye Olde Woburn"

Pennsylvania (1685)

• Philadelphia County (1685)
• Germantown (400236N 0751049W/40.0434449 -75.1801775), German colony north of Philadelphia;
  Paul Küster¹ settled here around 1685 as did Johann Michael Müller/Miller² in 1727
• Chester County (~1730's)
• Coventryville (401024N 0754123W/40.1734319 -75.6893635), south of Pottstown and midway between Philadelphia and Lancaster;
  Johann Michael MUELLER/MILLER² settled here between 1732 and 1740 just a few years after arriving from Germany in 1727
• Franklin County (<1735)
• Peters Township (395130N 0775238W/39.8584248 -77.8772197), near Mercersburg;
  residence of Stephen & Anna ULRICH/ULLERY by 1735 through about 1750
• Lancaster County (~1744)
• Rapho Township (~401234N ~0763049W/40.2000939 -76.5013563), northwest of Lancaster,
  Johann Michael MUELLER/MILLER² and the GARBERs settled here briefly around 1744 before pushing further west into Pennsylvania and south into Maryland.
• Bedford and Blair Counties (<1776)
• Morrison Cove is a valley that extends from Colrain Township, Bedford County, in the south, up to Catharine Township, Blair County, in the north, about 50 miles long; it also ncludes the townships of Snake Spring, South Woodbury, Woodbury, North Woodbury, Bloomfield, Taylor, and Huston
  Woodbury (401335N 0782200W/40.2264672 -78.3666805), northwest of Lancaster,
  residence of the David MILLER family by 1784 until about 1795; birth place of daughter Elizabeth H. MILLER
• Erie County (<1820)
• Le Boeuf Township (415100N 0795659W/41.85 -79.9497222), about 18 miles south-southeast of Erie
  residence of Asa CONVERSE and likely son Daniel S. CONVERSE in 1820
• Waterford Township (415637N 0795906W/41.9436111 -79.985), about 13 miles south-southeast of Erie
  residence of George CONVERSE a likely brother of Erastus CONVERSE in the 1830s and 1840s
• Amity Township (415800N 0794859W/41.9667213 -79.8164403), about 17 miles southeast of Erie
  residence of the Nathan ANDREWS family from about 1836 until 1852
• Crawford County (<1830)
• Rockdale Township, about 22 miles south-southeast of Erie
  residence of the Erastus CONVERSE family (414649N 0795702W/41.7802778 -79.9505556)
  residence of William CONVERSE, Donation Tract 1526 (414736N 0795744W/41.7933333 -79.9622222)
  residence of Jesse CONVERSE, Donation Tract 1522 (414727N 0795709W/41.7908333 -79.9525)
  
• Northumberland & Schuylkill Counties (~1851)
• Bear Gap (404956N 0763021W/40.8323084 -76.505788), Northumberland County and
  Minersville (404126N 0761544W/40.6906451 -76.2621697), Schuylkill County,
  first known American residences of the James GOODWIN family from 1851 until around 1857; birth place of daughters Elizabeth and Martha James GOODWIN. Bear Gap is located roughly 20 miles NW of Minersville.

Virginia (~1700)

• Caroline/King and Queen Counties (<1752)
• Drysdale Parish (roughly 375615N 0770735W/37.9375 -77.1263888),
  when Samuel CHAPMAN leased the Sandy Creek (Amelia County) plot he was identified as a planter from Drysdale Parish in Caroline County; Drysdale Parish, a subdivision of the Church of England, was formed in 1723 when St. Stephen's Parish in King and Queens County was divided into middle (St. Stephen's) and upper (Drysdale) parishes; Drysdale Parish is the portion of King and Queen County north of today's Highway 360 and borders Caroline County to the north
• Amelia County (1752)

Amelia County was formed in 1734 from Brunswick and Prince Georges counties

• Sandy Creek (near 372423N 0781226W/37.4062628 -78.2072188),
  400-acre plot leased by Samuel CHAPMAN in 1752; Sandy Creek forms part of the county line between Amelia and Cumberland counties
• Hanover County (1981)
• Mahogany Growth Plantation (375107N 0774315W/37.8519444 -77.7208333),
  PLEASANTS family farm and burial place Blanche (SIKORSKI) WARGIN in 1981

Connecticut (1716)

• Windham County (1716)
• West Thompson Cemetery (415657N 0715308W/41.9492644 -71.8856275),
  final resting place of Pain CONVERS, 1781

Maryland (1745)

• Washington County (1745)
  Prince George's County (until 1748), then as Frederick County (until 1776), and afterward Washington County:

  The earliest land grants in Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland were to English-speaking Marylanders in 1732, but as early as 1729 immigrants from the German Palatines (who became erroneously known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch") migrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, many on their way to settlements in Virginia. The principal route from Lancaster was across the Susquehanna River at Wright's Ferry (modern-day Columbia) and via a pack horse or Indian road that crossed the present Pennsylvania counties of York and Adams to the Monocacy Road where it passed into Maryland (roughly the route that modern-day Route 194 runs). Once in Maryland, the road passed through Crampton's Gap and crossed the Potomac at several fords. The first German settlement in the area near Washington County was as early as 1729 in the village of Monocacy in Frederick County, which was the first village beyond the lower part of Montgomery County in Western Maryland.

  Frederick County was established in 1748 from parts of Prince Georges and Baltimore counties. In 1776 it was divided into three parts: Frederick, Washington, and Montgomery counties.

  • Upper Antietam Hundred, based on the process of elimination of the other 10 "Hundred" townships, believe the Upper Antietam refers to the area near Leitersburg in the northeast portion of Washington County above Hagerstown where Antietam Creek flows southwest from Pennsylvania toward Hagerstown and on to the Potomac River
  • Maugansville (394104N 0774506W/39.684444 -77.7516666), Washington County,
    settled by Johann Michael MILLER in 1745 and later by the MAUGANS in the late 1790's or early 1800's. The area was later posthumously named for brothers Abraham and Jonathan MAUGANS in the 1880's
  • "Ash Swamp," (near 394020N 0774600W/39.6722222 -77.766667), on either side of Salem Church Road,
    original 150-acre Maugansville area tract settled by Johann Michael MILLER in 1745 and divided amongst his sons in 1752; it was sold in 1795 after Michael's eldest son, John Peter died in December 1794
  • "Tom's Chance," 150-acre plot adjacent to "Ash Swamp" purchased by Michael's son Lodowich in 1751 and sold in 1755
  • Leitersburg (394130N 0773735W/39.6916667 -77.6263889), Washington County,
    • "Skipton-on-Craven," Michael's plot in the Maugansville area purchased in 1748
    • "Miller's Fancy," 36-acre plot between "Skipton-on-Craven" and "Resurvey of Well Taught" purchased in 1754
    • "Resurvey of Well Taught," 409-acre plot purchased in 1755
• Frederick County (1774), present-day
• Wolfsville (393427N 0773303W/39.5742655 -77.5505444), Frederick County,
  situated in the Catoctin Mountain area, the Maryland extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Conrad MAUGANS settled in the area by 1774.
• St. Mark's Cemetery (393457N 0773327W/39.5825985 -77.5574892),
  resting place of many MAUGANS descendants in the Wolfsville area
• Allegany County (<1781-1786)
• George's Creek, "located under the Laurel Hills on George's Creek, southwest of Cumberland," perhap referring to the vicinity of Moscow (393237N 0790018W/39.5437014 -79.0050273);
  settled by the William KESTER⁴ family from about 1781 until 1786

Kentucky (1786)

• Shelby (now Spencer) County (1795)
• Elk Creek (380601N 0852216W/38.1003434 -85.3710657), southeast of Louisville;
  settled by William KESTER⁴ in 1795
• Campbell County (1796)
• Campbell County, along the bank of the Ohio River opposite Cincinnati, Ohio to the northwest;
  residence of the Philip Jacob & Magdalena MILLER family from 1796 until his death in 1799 and her death in 1808
• Greenup County (1802)
• Greenup (383423N 0824949W/38.5731349 -82.8301677), lies along the Ohio River in northeastern Kentucky, upriver from Cincinnati;
  residence of the James CHAPMAN family between 1802 and about 1815-1817
• Carroll County (<1844)
• Prestonville (384047N 0851125W/38.6797846 -85.1902316),
  residence and final resting place of Phoebe (PEARCE) CHAPMAN about 1844; Prestonville lies further down the Ohio River from previous CHAPMAN residences at Greenup, Kentucky and Sciotoville, Ohio

New York (~1797)

• Oneida and Jefferson Counties (~1797)
• Bridgewater (425245N 0751504W/42.8792376 -75.2509971),
  birth place of Nathan ANDREWS, born 1797
• Hounsfield (435605N 0760420W/43.9347222 -76.0722222), now in Jefferson County;
  birth place of Philena (AMES) ANDREWS, born 1804; Hounsfield was formed in 1806 from Watertown to the northeast and its citizens were deeply involved in two battles at nearby Sackets Harbor on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812
• Richland (433410N 0760252W/43.5695139 -76.0476996),
  birth place of Orrin P. ANDREWS, born 1825
• Mexico (432734N 0761344W/43.4595138 -76.2288176),
  residence of the Nathan ANDREWS family from about 1826 to about 1834

Ohio (<1799)

U.S. Geological Survey land survey grids in Ohio and Indiana are based on the First Principle meridian and base point at 405922N 0844811W, which was established in1819. The meridian forms the border between Ohio and Indiana.
In 1785 the first reference meridian was located along the Pennsylvania-Ohio border on the north shore of the Ohio River at 80?2'20"W

• Warren County (<1799)
• O'Bannon Creek (near 391611N 0841459W/39.2697222 -84.2497222), meanders between the Warren and Clemont county lines northeast of Cincinnati;
  2,000-acre property purchased by Philip Jacob MILLER between 1796 and his death in 1799; upon his death divided into 10 subplots among his widow and children
• Montgomery County (1800)
• Randolph Township (near 395421N 0842026W/39.9058333 -84.3405556), northwest of Dayton and emcompassed the areas of present-day Clayton, Englewood, and Union;
  David MILLER homestead at 9476 Haber Road (395254N 0842026W/39.8816667 -84.3405556),
  likely dates back to 1800; David and at least 19 others were buried at the homestead after his death in 1845; this area now falls under the Englewood post office
• Preble County (<1807)
• settled by Paul KESTER⁵ by 1807
• Sugar Hill German Baptist Cemetery (394439N 0843103W/39.7442198 -84.5174501), east of West Alexandria and west of Dayton;
  final resting place of Daniel MILLER, Sr., 1822
• Scioto County (<1817)
• Sciotoville (384529N 0825329W/38.7581321 -82.8912823),
  residence of the James CHAPMAN family by 1817 through James' death in 1839; Sciotoville lies just downriver from Greenup, Kentucky
• Porter Township, centered around Wheelersburg (384407N 0825031W/38.7353549 -82.8418361), likely includes Sciotoville as noted above.
• Clinton County (1819)
• Clark Township (391841N 0834745W/39.3114509 -83.7957587),
  residence of the David FISHER family between 1819-1833.

Mid West: Louisiana Purchase (1803) & Manifest Destiny (1839)

Indiana (1822)

U.S. Geological Survey land survey grids in Ohio and Indiana are based on the First Principle meridian and base point at 405922N 0844811W, which was established in1819. The meridian forms the border between Ohio and Indiana.

• Vigo County (1822)
• Pimento (391834N 0872245W/39.3094837 -87.3791858),
  south of Terre Haute; residence of Ruhama (BONHAM) KESTER and family by 1822
• Second Prairie Creek Cemetery (391839N 0872642W/39.31093 -87.44498),
  final resting place of Ruhama (BONHAM) KESTER, 1846
• Hancock County (1833)
• Vernon Township (395425N 0855217W/39.9069847 -85.8713691), northeast of Indianapolis;
  residence of the David FISHER family from 1833-1850
  • 1833-1850, David purchased 60 acres in the N½ of NE¼ of Section 10, Range 6 East
  • 1834-1850, David purchased another 80 acres the E½ of SE¼ of Section 10, Range 6 East
  • 1836-1850, King David FISHER bought the 40 acres of the SW¼ of NE¼ of the same Section 10, Range 6 East
• Madison County (<1836)
• Green Township (near 3959234N 0854910W/39.9897622 -85.8194235), lies northeast of Indianapolis near Fortville;
  residence of the John & Polly CHAPMAN family by 1836 through about 1855; likely birth place of John & Polly's granddaughter, Harriet J. (CHAPMAN FISHER) WILLIAMS, 1842

Iowa (1838)

• Cedar County (1838)
• Cass (Cedar Bluff/414716N 0911716W/41.7877953 -91.2876633),
  settled by John Bonham KESTER, Sr. by 1838
• Gunsolus Cemetery (Evergreen/414712N 0911951W/41.7866834 -91.3307205), Cass Township,
  resting place of John Bonham KESTER, Sr. in 1840

• Iowa County (1842)
• Greene Township, residence of the Erastus CONVERSE family from 1842 until about 1871
  variously associated with Jone Post Office (1860 census) and Millersburg Post Office (1870 census)
  William CONVERS's 1852 tax records note two plots in Greene Township:
• Township 78 North, Range 9 West, Section 31 (approx. 413046N 0915527W/41.5127778 -91.9241667)
• Township 78 North, Range 9 West, Section 35 (approx. 413046N 0915103W/41.5127778 -91.8508333)
• Wapello County (1850)
• Ashland (405731N 0921412W/40.958629 -92.2365698), Washington Township,
  settled by David FISHER in 1850 and by the Allen & Elizabeth CHAPMAN family around 1858
• Ashland Cemetery (405725N 0921427W/40.9569623 -92.2407366),
  burial location of Sarah (WEEKS) FISHER (before 1863), her widower David FISHER (1868), and David's second wife, Nancy (BOWLES RICKEY) FISHER (after 1880) as well as Allen & Elizabeth (DAVIS) CHAPMAN in 1890 and 1893, respectively
• Jefferson County (~1850)
• Batavia (405939N 09211003W/40.9941846 -92.1674008), Des Moines Township,
  residence of King David FISHER from about 1850 until about 1862
• Linn County (1850)
• Ivanhoe (415300N 0912745W/41.883342 -91.462394),
  final residence of Margaret (LAYSON) KESTER after 1850;
  reported as being in Montgomery County (unlocated) vice Linn County (as identified)
• Western College (415155N 0913811W/41.8652848 -91.6362869),
  residence of Elizabeth (VAN WERMER) CONVERSE during the 1880 census
• Johnson County (1852)
• Newport/Morse (414500N 0912603W/41.7494609 -91.4346125),
  established in 1853 and later included in Graham Township, was the residence of the Nathan ANDREWS family from 1852 until 1868, as well as Nathan's son Orrin's family. Orrin continued to live there until his death in 1902 and his widow Sarah remained until her death in 1912.
• Morse Cemetery (414441N 0912637W/41.7447386 -91.4435016),
  resting place of Orrin & Sarah ANDREWS, died 1902 and 1912.
• Solon (414826N 0912939W/41.8072344 -91.4940604) or
  Cedar (414852N 0912536W/41.8144576 -91.4265579) or
  Big Grove (414903N 0912959W/41.8175109 -91.5404505),
  residence of the David John MILLER family, since before 1843
• Fackler's Grove Cemetery (private property) (415125N 0913151W/41.8569532 -91.5307291),
  resting place of Elizabeth "Betsy" (MILLER) FACKLER, died 1865.
• Bethel Cemetery (413501N 0914831W/41.5836242 -91.8085059), Washington Township,
  resting place of Jane LOVELAND, died 1860
• Louisa County (~1855)
• Grandview (411633N 0911119W/41.2758617 -91.1884837),
  residence of the John & Polly CHAPMAN family from about 1855 through their deaths in 1870 and 1876
• Grandview Cemetery (411642N 0911028W/41.2783619 -91.1743168),
  final resting place of the John & Polly CHAPMAN in 1870 and 1876, respectively
• Pottawattamie County (1871)
• Valley Township (Township 76 North, Range 39 West, Northwest Quarter of Southwest Quarter) (412232N 0952233W/41.375555 -95.375833),
  residence on 450th Street of the Elizabeth (VAN WERMER) CONVERSE family and descendants from about 1871 through the present
• Oak Hill Cemetery (412324N 0952010W/41.390111 -95.336166),
  final resting place of Elizabeth (VAN WERMER) CONVERSE

Nebraska (~1859)

• Gage & Pawnee Counties (1859)
• Dennison, originally in Pawnee Territory and now of uncertain location in Gage County,
  the Sylvester T. FISHER, Sr. family moved there in 1859 and was enumerated in the 1860 census, during the brief time (18 April to 17 September 1860) that the Dennison post office was in operation, next to Sylvester's next older brother John who had moved there perhaps as early as 1855. Dennison may be east of Liberty.
• Liberty (400505N 0962858W/40.0847234 -96.4827962),
  settled by Sylvester T. FISHER, Sr. in 1868 on 320 acres one mile east of Liberty in Section 36, Town 2, Range 8 East.
• Thayer, Jefferson, & Jones Counties (~1862)

Along the Oregon Trail, Jefferson County was established in 1856 by the Nebraska Territorial Legislature in modern-day Thayer County. Upon Nebraska's admission to the Union in 1867, Jefferson County absorbed Jones County to the east only to be redivided in 1870. At that time the original half to the west was renamed Thayer County in honor of General John Milton THAYER, one of Nebraska's first U.S. senators at the time (1867-1871) who later became the governor of Nebraska (1887-1892). The eastern half of the county (originally Jones County) retained the name of Jefferson County.

• Big Sandy/Meridian (401300N 0972151W/40.2166686 -97.3642071),
  established as "Daniels Ranch" in 1858 (then in Jones County), the King David FISHER family settled here by 1862. The area was renamed "Big Sandy" in 1865, renamed again in 1870 to "Meridian" (in the newly redrawn Jefferson County), and then discontinued in 1883. Big Sandy Crossing was an important watering place on the Oregon Trail where it gave way to a flat region between Big Sandy Creek and the Little Blue River.
• Hebron (400959N 0973509W/40.1663933 -97.5858752),
  organized in 1869 and named by a group of pioneers who identified themselves with the Disciples of Christ. Taking refuge in the beautiful valley of the Little Blue River, the pioneers named the area after the Biblical city of Hebron in Palestine, which was located in a similarly picturesque valley. King David FISHER relocated here from Big Sandy before his death in 1871.
• Fort Butler (400918N 0973516W/40.155 -97.587777),
  in June 1869, the newly formed Company A, First Regiment, Nebraska Cavalry Militia established its headquarters at a stockade named for Nebraska's first governor, David Butler, on the bank of Spring Creek (roughly 400918N 0973516W), about one mile south of the town of Hebron. Among the founding members of the company were King David FISHER and three other FISHER boys (likely his son and two nephews). The company was formed to defend against Indian raids, such as the attacks in 1864 and 1867. The company was relieved in 1870 when a company of regular Army was stationed at Kiowa to the north.
• Fisher Homestead burial site (estimated 400855N 0973324W/40.1486111 -97.5566666) of King David FISHER, 1871. The burial site is on a hill on the north side of Highway 136 about 1 mile east of the Highway 81 intersection and 2 miles southeast of the town of Hebron. The hill overlooks the Little Blue River and the Oregon Trail and had been a lookout for marauding Indians.
• Sherman County (~1880)
• Clear Creek (410806N 0990556W/41.1350097 -99.0989789),
  situated about 8-1/2 miles north-northwest of Hazard and was the home of the widow Sophia (PRITCHARD) FISHER and her three youngest sons as well as the families of her two eldest sons, John and Sylvester, by the time of the 1880 census.

Kansas (~1887)

• Republic County (~1887)
White Rock Cemetery (395244N 0975449W/39.8788996 -97.9136548),
burial location of Sophia (PRITCHARD) FISHER (1887)

Wisconsin (~1889)

• Milwaukee (~1889)
After the immigration of John WARGIN from Poland through Ellis Island in 1890 or 1891, the WARGIN family settled in Milwaukee.
• 819 First Avenue, residence of the John WARGIN family during the 1900 census
• 911 First Avenue (now 2201 South 6th Street (430017N 0875508W/43.0045583 -87.9187111)),
  residence of the John WARGIN family from before 1910 through the time of John's death in 1931
• Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 South 6th Street (430009N 0875509W/43.0025 -87.9191667),
  baptismal place of the John WARGIN children located about half a block from their home
• 641 Fifth Avenue, residence of Zenon F. SIKORSKI while residing with his sister's family during the 1930 census;
• 1661 South 10th Street (430047N 0875527W/43.0130556 -87.9241667), final residence of Zenon SIKORSKI, 1934, and likely the home of his sister Blanche (SIKORSKA) KOMINSKA, whom he lived with after his wife's death in 1910; it was listed as the KOMINSKI residence through 1936 when Blanche (SIKORSKI) WARGIN returned from Poland

Avenue names changed in Milwaukee around 1930. I suspect that 641 Fifth Avenue (which no longer exists, and does not equate to 641 South 5th Street) may be modern-day 1661 South 10th Street, which now appears to be business buildings and parking lots.

• 515 East Lincoln Avenue (430011N 0875407W/43.0030555 -87.9019444),
  Casimer WARGIN's residence in 1936 at the time of his marriage to Blanche SIKORSKI
• 2203 South 6th Street (430017N 0875508W/43.0045583 -87.9187111),
  Blanche SIKORSKI residence prior to her marriage to Casimer WARGIN 1936
• Saint Adalberts Cemetery (425835N 0875527W/42.9764041 -87.9242509),
  final resting place of John & Ludwika WARGIN, 1931 and 1943
• 711 West Lincoln Avenue (430010N 0875513W/43.0027778 -87.9202778),
  residence of Mary WARGIN and place of death of mother Ludwika (GRACZ) WARGIN in 1943
• 4320 West Cleveland Avenue (425945N 0875805W/43.0045583 -87.9187111),
  Casimer WARGIN family residence in 1944
• 3446 South Chase Avenue (425855N 0875434W/42.9819444 -87.9094444),
  Casimer WARGIN residence in 1983 at the time of his death
• Forest Home Cemetery (425952N 0875637W/42.9977926 -87.9436963),
  final resting place of Casimer WARGIN (1983) and his second wife LaVerne (GEHLE) WARGIN (1999)
• Ashland County (1910)
• Saint Agnes Cemetery (463341N 0905428W/46.5626167 -90.90885),
  final resting place of Zenon and Alexandra SIKORSKI (1910 and 1934)

Minnesota (<1905)

• St. Louis County (<1905)
• Hibbing, (472646N 0925631W/47.4461111 -92.9418889),
  residence of Zenon F. SIKORSKI, 1905
• 226 Hickory Street, Virginia (473124N 0923212W/47.5232596 -92.5365713),
  birth location and residence of Blanche M. (SIKORSKI) WARGIN, 1909-1910
• Calvary Cemetery, 1120 9th St. N. (473150N 0923311W/47.5303833 -92.5556333),
  resting place of Aleksandra SIKORSKA, 1910
• 119 Wisconsin Avenue, Gilbert (472917N 0922757W/47.4880556 -92.4658333),
  residence of Zenon F. SIKORSKI while residing with his sister's family, 1920
• Itasca County (<1910)
• Bovey Village (471744N 0932508W/47.2954963 -92.4188185), southwest of Virginia and Gilbert in St. Louis County
  residence of Blanche (SIKORSKA) KOMINSKA during the 1910 cenus

West: Mexican Cession (1848), Gold Rush (1849) & Westward Expansion

California (1851)

U.S. Geological Survey land survey grids in central California and Nevada are based on the Mount Diablo meridian and base point established in 1851. The initial point is located on the peak at 375254N 1215447W (37.8816667 -121.9130556).

• Mariposa County (1851)

At the time of the Gold Rush and California's admission into the Union, Mariposa County was much larger than it is today. It contained all the territory of modern day Tulare (established in 1852), Merced (established in 1855), and Fresno (established in 1856) counties.

• Coulterville , Mariposa County (Twp 2S R16E Sec 34 - Twp 3S R16E/374238N 1201149W/37.710486 -120.1979658)
  
  This gold mining town of "Banderita" was first settled in 1850 by George W. COULTER and soon thereafter by our CONVERSE, GOSS, and GOODWIN ancestors. See "Our Roots in Coulterville & Greeley Hill" for more.
  • Banderita Mine (3741(23)N 12002(03)W/37.6897222 -120.0341667, [Twp 3S R18E], Sec 7), about 10 miles east of Coulterville on the west side of the north fork of the Merced River, and on the hill above the mouth of Gentry's Gulch;
    established in 1856 and originally named the Eclipse Mine, the brothers James and John GOODWIN worked this mine after their arrival in California around 1856
  • Horseshoe Bend (374035N 1201350W/37.6763889 -120.2305556)
  • Horseshoe Bend Mine (374008N 1201212W/37.6688889 -120.2033333)
  • Mary Harrison Mine (Twp 3S R16E, Sec 10, (3741(38)N 12011(10)W/37.6938889 -120.1861111)
  • Coulterville Cemetery (Twp 2S R16E, Sec 34, 374257N 1201147W/37.7158333 -120.1963889),
    final resting place of many of our kin. See more on the Coulterville Cemetery page.
• Greeley Hill (Red Cloud), Mariposa County (374412N 1200911W/37.744651 -120.1299092, Twp 2S R17E Sec 19/20)
  
  Greeley Hill, which in earlier days was known as Red Cloud, stands above Coulterville and is the site of the first CONVERSE (374412N 1200911W/37.7366667 -120.1530556) and GREELEY (374443N 1200728W/37.7452778 -120.1244444) homesteads in 1851.
  • The CONVERSE's "Hawkeye Ranch" (Twp 2S R17E, Sec 17) was located up Converse Road in Wagner Valley in the vicinity of 374546N 1200718W/37.7627778 -120.1216667
  • Red Cloud Mine (3744(20)N 12005(07)W, Twp 2S R17E, Sec 27)
• San Luis Obispo County (1868)
• Morro Bay (35.3658075 -120.8499013),
  residence of the Nathan ANDREWS family from 1868 and the Isaac Dennis MILLER family by 1873
• Old Creek (352605N 1205313W/35.4346957 -120.8868473), south of Cayucos;
  residence of the Isaac Dennis MILLER family by 1880 and birth place of daughter, Cora Ethel (MILLER FISHER) WILLIAMS
• Tuolumne County (<1876)
• Tuolumne Land Patent 6328, Twp 3 S R14E, Sec 6 (near 374200N 1202815W/37.7 -120.4708333), near La Grange; taken out by Andrew GOSS on 15 February 1876
• Jamestown (375712N 1202529W/37.9532584 -120.4226952),
  birth place of Jess Norman GOSS in 1883;
  residence of Benjamin & Alice GOSS family by the birth of Lloyd Andrew GOSS in 1912
• Tuolumne (375753N 1201409W/37.9607582 -120.2374109),
  residence of Elizabeth (GOODWIN) GOSS after her divorce about 1886
• Big Oak Flat (374925N 1201534W/37.8235391 -120.2582456),
  residence of Andrew GOSS and his second wife Theresa from around the time of their wedding in 1898 until around 1904.
• Sonoma County (~1888)
• Santa Rosa (~1888)
My hometown and center for my GOSS, MALUGANI, and FISHER families dating back to 1888. Specific locations include:
• Analy Township, first residence of the Giuseppe MALUGANI family after arriving from Switzerland in 1888
• Rincon Valley, residence of the Giuseppe MALUGANI family before 1901
• Calvary Cemetery (382553N 1224109W/38.4313008 -122.6858196),
  final resting place of Giuseppe MALUGANI (1924), Aurelia (CERINI) MALUGANI (1948), and other MALUGANI family members
• 1689 Fulton Rd., Fulton/Santa Rosa (382738N 1224611W/38.46055556 -122.7697222),
  residence of Charlie & Pearl MALUGANI at the time of Pearl's death in 1941
• Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery (382450N 1224250W/38.4138015 -122.7138761), 2607 Santa Rosa Avenue,
  final resting place of Pearl (FISHER) MALUGANI and Charles A. MALUGANI, 1941 and 1957;
  and Alice (CONVERSE) GOSS and Benjamin GOSS, 1951 and 1956
• 2289 Francisco Rd., Fulton/Santa Rosa (382840N 1224538W/38.4777778 -122.7605556),
  Charlie MALUGANI's home from the 1940's and passed on to his son Bert
• Roberts Avenue (near 382600N 1224322W/38.4333333 -122.7227778),
  residence of my great-grandparents Benjamin & Alice GOSS who moved to the Roseland District of Santa Rosa by 1924 where they opened the first "Shell" service station. They moved to Brush Creek when Highway 12 was built through the area in the early 1940s
• 1200 Brush Creek Rd. (382748N 1224053W/38.4633333 -122.6813889),
  residence of my great-grandparents Benjamin & Alice GOSS who moved there in 1946. My father inherited the house upon their deaths in 1956 and it became the home where I grew up. The house was sold in 1988.
• 939 Middle Rincon Rd. (382846N 1224023W/38.4794444 -122.6730556), my grandparent's home on Middle Rincon Road from about 1946 until about 1987.
• 948 W. 9th Street (382628N 1224421W/38.4411111 -122.7391667),
  residence of my grandparents Casimer & Blanche WARGIN at the time of Blanche's death in 1980
• Rincon Precinct and rural Calistoga (~1901)

The hills above Rincon Valley in Santa Rosa are enumerated in census records as "Rincon Precinct" in Santa Rosa Township. Although part of Santa Rosa, residents usually just refer to the road or valley that they live in. Additionally, further up into the hills near the Sonoma-Napa county line, where residents use the Calistoga post office, early birth registries record the area as "rural Calistoga" to denote residents living on the Sonoma side of the county line since Calistoga lies in Napa County.

• The Rock House (383128N 1223808W/38.5244444 -122.6355556),
  residence of the Giuseppe MALUGANI off of Saint Helena Road above Santa Rosa, 1901. Giuseppe took out land patent 200933 for Twp 8N R17W, Sec 21 from the MD meridian on 25 May 1911. The land still remains in the possession of Giuseppe's son.
• Gates Road (near 382415N 1223849W/38.4041667 -122.6469444),
  birth place of my grandmother Hazel (MALUGANI) GOSS
in 1919; nearby the birth place of Hazel's uncle Ed in 1920
• Alpine Road (383143N 1223947W/38.5286111 -122.6630556),
  home of the MALUGANI, PAROLI, MAGATELLI, Cora & Al WILLIAMS, Earl FISHER, FECHTER, and HITCHCOCK families during the 1920 and 1930 censuses
• Derby Ranch (near 383057N 1223917W/38.5158333 -122.6547222),
  residence of the Charles & Pearl MALUGANI
family from about 1924 to 1928
• Alpine School (383020N 1223839W/38.5054653 -122.6441514),
  school attended by several FISHER, WILLIAMS, and MALUGANI children, as well as the site of MILLER-FISHER-WILLIAMS-MALUGANI family reunions during the late 40s and into the mid-60s
• Sharp Road, (383329N 1223726W/38.5580556 -122.6238889)
  residences of Cora (MILLER FISHER) WILLIAMS and son
  Ed WILLIAMS (next door at 383328N 1223724W/38.5577778 -122.6233333)
• Mark West Shale Company (383114N 1223917W/38.5205556 -122.6547222),
  business and residence of Joe MALUGANI and his son Richard. Richard & Ellen often hosted several annual Easter Egg hunts in the 1970s at the shale pit.
• Forestville (<1906)
• Forestville (382825N 1225325W/38.4735237 -122.8902721),
  residence of John Jackson FISHER and his wife Harriet J. (CHAPMAN) FISHER-WILLIAMS by 1896 through 1906, when John died
• McPeak Cemetery (383036N 1225538W/38.5096344 -122.9283293),
  burial of John Jackson FISHER (1906) and his widow Harriet J. (CHAPMAN) FISHER-WILLIAMS (1936)

McPeak Cemetery is located on the first right off River Road, westbound, just past the Hacienda bridge. Westside Road runs to the right, back eastward along the Russian River. The cemetery is about 50 yards up the road and lies off to the left of Westside, just out of view, between Oak Avenue and Rio Vista.

• San Joaquin County (~1904)
• 1701 E. Scotts Ave., Stockton (375658N 1211602W/37.9494444 -121.2672222),
  home of Andrew GOSS from about 1904 until his death there in 1912
• Colusa County (<1920)
• 222 Market Street (391248N 1220016W/39.2133333 -122.0044444),
  home of the Benjamin & Alice GOSS family by 1920

Oregon (>1920)

• Coos County (>1920)
• Myrtle Point (391248N 1220016W/39.2133333 -122.0044444),
  home of the Benjamin & Alice GOSS family in the early 1920s

U.S. Land Survey

The basics of land survey (and I make no claim to be an expert) are six mile by six mile township grids organized east-west from a meridian line and north-south from a base line:

Twp 2N Range 2W	Twp 2N Range 1W	Twp 2N Range 1E	Twp 2N Range 2E
Twp 1N Range 2W	Twp 1N Range 1W	Twp 1N Range 1E	Twp 1N Range 2E
Twp 1S Range 2W	Twp 1S Range 1W	Twp 1S Range 1E	Twp 1S Range 2E
Twp 2S Range 2W	Twp 2S Range 1W	Twp 2S Range 1E	Twp 2S Range 2E

Each township is comprised of one-mile square sections of 640 acres and are numbered from the northeast corner of the township as such:

36	31	32	33	34	35	36	31
1	6	5	4	3	2	1	6
12	7	8	9	10	11	12	7
13	18	17	16	15	14	13	18
24	19	20	21	22	23	24	19
25	30	29	28	27	26	25	30
36	31	32	33	34	35	36	31

Each 640-acre section can then be divided into halves (320 acres), quarters (160 acres), and so forth.

As such, the northeast corner of Township 1N Range 1E will lie 6 miles north and 6 miles east of the central meridian-baseline point whereas Township 1S Range 1W will start at the central meridian-baseline point.

Meridan-baseline points include:

• First Reference Meridian (1785): 80°2'20"W
• First Principle Meridian (1819): 405922N 0844811W
• Mount Diablo (1851): 375254N 1215447W for California and Nevada

Therefore, to approximately locate the northeast corner of Township 3S Range 4W, Section 22 based on Mount Diablo in California, measure 15 miles south (2 full townships X 6 miles, plus 3 miles) and (3 full townships x 6 miles, plus 2 miles) 20 miles west.