Q: Could someone tell me what a township is? In looking for relatives, I've come across Cove Creek Township in Washington County, AR and Shoal Creek Township in Newton County, MO. There aren't any towns there. I grew up in Joplin MO and know where Shoal creek is and where Newton County are but never found Shoal Creek township. What purpose did this serve? -- Jack

A: For years I have accepted the names of townships found in census records without question or an attempt to find out more about this civil division. Most genealogists probably do not question townships because they are researching...

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