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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 Nelson (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 Nelson. 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.

Nelson is located in Mobile County.

To see how the shape of Alabama's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Mobile County: Baldwin, Washington, George (MS), Greene (MS) & Jackson (MS).

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

  • Mobile County     (The home county of Nelson)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nelson, with the one closest to Nelson listed first.
    • Coden
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Coden have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coden
      • Coden is located in Mobile County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Coden <2>
    • Bayou La Batre
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bayou La Batre have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bayou La Batre
      • Bayou La Batre is located in Mobile County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,457 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bayou La Batre <2>
    • Alabama Port
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alabama Port have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alabama Port
      • Alabama Port is located in Mobile County
    • Mon Louis
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mon Louis have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mon Louis
      • Mon Louis is located in Mobile County
    • Irvington
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Irvington have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irvington
      • Irvington is located in Mobile County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Irvington <2>
    • Saint Elmo
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saint Elmo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Elmo
      • Saint Elmo is located in Mobile County
    • Bellefontaine
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bellefontaine
      • Bellefontaine is located in Mobile County
    • Grand Bay
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Grand Bay have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grand Bay
      • Grand Bay is located in Mobile County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Grand Bay <2>
    • Theodore
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Theodore have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Theodore
      • Theodore is located in Mobile County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Theodore <2>
    • Dauphin Island
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dauphin Island
      • Dauphin Island is located in Mobile County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,366 people
    • Fort Gaines ‑ Historic
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fort Gaines have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fort Gaines
      • Fort Gaines is located in Mobile County
    • Tillmans Corner
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tillmans Corner
      • Tillmans Corner is located in Mobile County
  • Baldwin County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nelson, with the one closest to Nelson listed first.
    • Fort Morgan ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fort Morgan have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fort Morgan
      • Fort Morgan is located in Baldwin County
      • Former name for Fort Morgan:
      • Fort Bowyer
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fort Morgan <2>
    • Point Clear
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Point Clear have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Point Clear
      • Point Clear is located in Baldwin County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Point Clear <2>
    • Fairhope
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Montrose
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Yupon
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yupon
      • Yupon is located in Baldwin County
    • Clay City
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clay City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clay City
      • Clay City is located in Baldwin County
    • Gasque
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gasque have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gasque
      • Gasque is located in Baldwin County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gasque <2>
    • Daphne
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Daphne have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Daphne
      • Daphne is located in Baldwin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 27,719 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Daphne <2>
    • Park City
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Park City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Park City
      • Park City is located in Baldwin County
    • Magnolia Springs
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Spanish Fort
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Bon Secour
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bon Secour have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bon Secour
      • Bon Secour is located in Baldwin County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bon Secour <2>
  • George County (MS)
    • Howell
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Howell
      • Howell is located in George County (MS)
  • Jackson County (MS)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nelson, with the one closest to Nelson listed first.
    • Orange Grove
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Orange Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orange Grove
      • Orange Grove is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Helena
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Helena have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helena
      • Helena is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Moss Point
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Moss Point have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moss Point
      • Moss Point is located in Jackson County (MS)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 13,226 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Moss Point <2>
    • Escatawpa
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Escatawpa have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Escatawpa
      • Escatawpa is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Pascagoula
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • Big Point
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Point
      • Big Point is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Coll Town
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Coll Town have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coll Town
      • Coll Town is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Hurley
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hurley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hurley
      • Hurley is located in Jackson County (MS)
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hurley <2>
    • Hickory Hills
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hickory Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickory Hills
      • Hickory Hills is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Martin Bluff
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Martin Bluff have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martin Bluff
      • Martin Bluff is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Gautier
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gautier have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gautier
      • Gautier is located in Jackson County (MS)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 18,379 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gautier <2>
    • Wade
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wade have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wade
      • Wade is located in Jackson County (MS)

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

Newspapers Published in Nelson ...

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 139 newspapers that have been published in the area around Nelson.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Nelson, there are papers which were published within 23 miles [37 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Nelson.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we 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 Nelson:

Cemeteries Near Nelson ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Nelson.

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

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

  • Catholic Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • St. Michael Catholic Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • Oddfellows Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oddfellows Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oddfellows Cemetery
  • Dorlon Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • English Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the English Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the English Cemetery
  • Alabama Port Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Alabama Port Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Alabama Port Cemetery
  • Reeds Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Reeds Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Reeds Cemetery
  • Cold Springs Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cold Springs Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cold Springs Cemetery
  • Roberts Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Roberts Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Roberts Cemetery
  • Lundy Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lundy Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lundy Cemetery
  • Pine Hill Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pine Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pine Hill Cemetery
  • Beverly Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Beverly Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Beverly Cemetery
  • Continue List   (148 more) ...
    • Piner McGrew Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Piner McGrew Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Piner McGrew Cemetery
    • Grand Bay Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Grand Bay Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Grand Bay Cemetery
    • Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens

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.<5>

While we didn't find Nelson in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Nelson.

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

  • Coden
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Coden have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coden
    • Coden is located in Mobile County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Coden <2>
  • Bayou La Batre
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bayou La Batre have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bayou La Batre
    • Bayou La Batre is located in Mobile County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,457 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bayou La Batre <2>
  • Fowl River
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fowl River have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fowl River
    • Fowl River is located in Mobile County
  • Mon Louis
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mon Louis have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mon Louis
    • Mon Louis is located in Mobile County
  • Saint Elmo
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saint Elmo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Elmo
    • Saint Elmo is located in Mobile County
  • Fernland
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fernland have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fernland
    • Fernland is located in Mobile County
  • Grand Bay
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Grand Bay have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grand Bay
    • Grand Bay is located in Mobile County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Grand Bay <2>
  • Theodore
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Theodore have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Theodore
    • Theodore is located in Mobile County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Theodore <2>
  • Orange Grove
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Orange Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orange Grove
    • Orange Grove is located in Jackson County (MS)
  • Point Clear
    (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Point Clear have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Point Clear
    • Point Clear is located in Baldwin County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Point Clear <2>
  • Moss Point
    (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Moss Point have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moss Point
    • Moss Point is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 13,226 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Moss Point <2>
  • Cox
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cox have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cox
    • Cox is located in Mobile County
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Escatawpa
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Escatawpa have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Escatawpa
      • Escatawpa is located in Jackson County (MS)
    • Pascagoula
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • Montrose
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)

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

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

The official website for Mobile County: www.mobilecounty.org/

The official website for State of Alabama: https://www.alabama.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>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>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 from Point A (ie- Nelson) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Nelson. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 30.3863, Longitude: -88.2167       In this case, the coordinates for Nelson have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<4>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.
<5>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 Nelson, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024