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 Browntown (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 Browntown. 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 northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors and hospitals were in the next county to the east. 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 east 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.
Browntown is located in Jackson County.
To see how the shape of Alabama's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Jackson County: DeKalb, Madison, Marshall, Dade (GA), Franklin (TN) & Marion (TN).
Below are the counties that are near Browntown. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Browntown:
- Jackson County (The home county of Browntown)
- The following are listed by their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Central
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Central is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Central
- Dutton
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Dutton is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dutton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 307 people
- Pisgah
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Gray ‑ Historic
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Gray is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gray
- Ferncliff ‑ Historic
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
- Ferncliff is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ferncliff
- Rock City
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Rock City is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock City
- Bellefonte ‑ Historic
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Bellefonte is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bellefonte
- Section
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
- Hollywood
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Scottsboro
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Fackler
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Fackler is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fackler
- Flat Rock
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- Cherokee County
- The following are listed by their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Blanche
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Blanche is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blanche
- Berry Springs ‑ Historic
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Berry Springs is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berry Springs
- Taft
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Taft is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Taft
- Grover
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Grover is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grover
- New Moon
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- New Moon is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Moon
- Broomtown
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Broomtown is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Broomtown
- Ringgold
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Ringgold is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ringgold
- Starkville ‑ Historic
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Starkville is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Starkville
- Sand Rock
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Sand Rock is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sand Rock
- Population from the 2020 Census: 674 people
- Gaylesville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Anderson
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Cedar Springs ‑ Historic
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Cedar Springs is located in Cherokee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Springs
- DeKalb County
- The following are listed by their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Sylvania
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Sylvania is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sylvania
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,860 people
- Henagar
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Snake Creek ‑ Historic
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Snake Creek is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Snake Creek
- Powell
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Powell is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Powell
- Population from the 2020 Census: 908 people
- Rainsville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Chavies
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Chavies is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chavies
- Shiloh
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Shiloh is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shiloh
- Population from the 2020 Census: 305 people
- Luna ‑ Historic
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Luna is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Luna
- Hammondville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Hammondville is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hammondville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 485 people
- Beaty Crossroads
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Beaty Crossroads is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaty Crossroads
- Fyffe
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Gibson Crossroads
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Gibson Crossroads is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gibson Crossroads
- Marshall County
- The following are listed by their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Mid ‑ Historic
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Mid is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mid
- Columbus City Ferry
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Columbus City Ferry is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Columbus City Ferry
- Peters ‑ Historic
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Peters is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peters
- Columbus City
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Columbus City is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Columbus City
- Grant
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Hustleville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Hustleville is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hustleville
- North ‑ Historic
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- North is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North
- Minorville ‑ Historic
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Minorville is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minorville
- Fort Deposit ‑ Historic
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Fort Deposit is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fort Deposit
- Rayburn
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Rayburn is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rayburn
- Chattooga County (GA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Cloudland
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Menlo
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Menlo is located in Chattooga County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Menlo
- Population from the 2020 Census: 454 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Menlo <1>
- Euthtilloga ‑ Historic
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Euthtilloga is located in Chattooga County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Euthtilloga
- Population from the 2010 Census: 29,011 people
- Berryton
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Berryton is located in Chattooga County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berryton
- Lyerly
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Summerville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Chattoogaville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Chattoogaville is located in Chattooga County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chattoogaville
- Pennville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Pennville is located in Chattooga County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pennville
- Trion
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Trion is located in Chattooga County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trion
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,905 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Trion <1>
- Taliaferro ‑ Historic
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Taliaferro is located in Chattooga County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Taliaferro
- Estimated population in 2019: 71 people
- Dade County (GA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Rising Fawn
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Stewart Town
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Stewart Town is located in Dade County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stewart Town
- Trenton
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Cole City
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Cole City is located in Dade County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cole City
- Population from the 2010 Census: 127 people
- Walker County (GA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Bronco
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Bronco is located in Walker County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bronco
- Estimated population in 2019: 367 people
- Cassandra
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Cassandra is located in Walker County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cassandra
- Durham
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Durham is located in Walker County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Durham
- Population from the 2010 Census: 1,257 people
- Kensington
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Martindale
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Martindale is located in Walker County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martindale
- Population from the 2010 Census: 35,795 people
- Thompsonville
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Thompsonville is located in Walker County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thompsonville
- Estimated population in 2019: 6,528 people
- Franklin County (TN)
- Anderson
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Anderson is located in Franklin County (TN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Anderson
- Marion County (TN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Richard City
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Richard City is located in Marion County (TN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Richard City
- Orme
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Orme is located in Marion County (TN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orme
- Population from the 2020 Census: 107 people
- New Hope
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- New Hope is located in Marion County (TN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Hope
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,047 people
- South Pittsburg
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Browntown, see our County-by-County Page for Browntown.
Cemeteries Near Browntown ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Browntown.
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.
Although we don't have the information ourselves, if you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our list of websites on our Genealogy Helper Page for Browntown - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Browntown covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Mahan Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Dean Chapel Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Samples Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Unity Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Hill Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
- Clark Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Hudgins Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hudgins Cemetery
- The Hudgins Cemetery has also been known as:
- Mt. Pisgah Holiness Church Cemetery
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #23577 <2>
- Pleasant View Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- New Bethel Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Sarratt Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- New Home Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Chaney Chapel Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Continue List (516 more) ...
- Broadway Baptist Church Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Town Creek Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Rosalie Baptist Church Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
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>
While we didn't find Browntown in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Browntown.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Browntown, with the one closest to Browntown listed first.
- Mahan ‑ Historic
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Mahan is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mahan
- Index ‑ Historic
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Index is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Index
- Henagar
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Dutton
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Dutton is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dutton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 307 people
- Snake Creek ‑ Historic
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Snake Creek is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Snake Creek
- Pisgah
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Musgrove ‑ Historic
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Musgrove is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Musgrove
- Blake
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Blake is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blake
- Rosalie
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Rosalie is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosalie
- Chavies
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Chavies is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chavies
- Bellefonte ‑ Historic
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Bellefonte is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bellefonte
- Talley ‑ Historic
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Talley is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Talley
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Luna ‑ Historic
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Luna is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Luna
- Lydia
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Lydia is located in DeKalb County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lydia
- Ider
(11 miles [17.7 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 Browntown. See our List of 1890's Communities around Browntown.
Newspapers Published in Browntown ...
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 32 newspapers that have been published in the area around Browntown.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Browntown, there are papers which were published within 12 miles [19.3 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Browntown.
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 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 Browntown:
- Websites specific to Alabama
- Pages specific to Jackson County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Cherokee County
- DeKalb County
- Marshall County
- Chattooga County
- Dade County
- Walker County
- Franklin County
- Marion County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Alabama
Footnotes ...
| <1> | While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program. |
| <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 Browntown, 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 from Point A (ie- Browntown) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |