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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 Gainestown (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 Gainestown. 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 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.

Gainestown is located in Clarke 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 Clarke County: Baldwin, Choctaw, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Washington & Wilcox.

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

  • Clarke County     (The home county of Gainestown)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gainestown, with the one closest to Gainestown listed first.
    • Barlow Bend
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barlow Bend have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barlow Bend
      • Barlow Bend is located in Clarke County
    • Alma
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alma have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alma
      • Alma is located in Clarke County
    • Walker Springs
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Rockville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockville
      • Rockville is located in Clarke County
    • Suggsville
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Suggsville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Suggsville
      • Suggsville is located in Clarke County
    • Carlton
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jackson
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jackson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jackson
      • Jackson is located in Clarke County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,582 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jackson <2>
    • Whatley
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whatley
      • Whatley is located in Clarke County
    • Stave Creek
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stave Creek
      • Stave Creek is located in Clarke County
    • Toddtown
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Toddtown
      • Toddtown is located in Clarke County
    • Grove Hill
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Grove Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grove Hill
      • Grove Hill is located in Clarke County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,709 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Grove Hill <2>
    • Winn
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Winn have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Winn
      • Winn is located in Clarke County
  • Baldwin County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gainestown, with the one closest to Gainestown listed first.
    • Little River
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Blacksher
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blacksher
      • Blacksher is located in Baldwin County
    • Tensaw
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tensaw have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tensaw
      • Tensaw is located in Baldwin County
    • Latham
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Latham have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Latham
      • Latham is located in Baldwin County
    • Perdido
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
  • Conecuh County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gainestown, with the one closest to Gainestown listed first.
    • Repton
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Repton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Repton
      • Repton is located in Conecuh County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 254 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Repton <2>
    • Range
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Range
      • Range is located in Conecuh County
    • Bermuda
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bermuda
      • Bermuda is located in Conecuh County
    • Lenox
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lenox have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lenox
      • Lenox is located in Conecuh County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lenox <2>
  • Escambia County
    • Huxford
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huxford
      • Huxford is located in Escambia County
  • Mobile County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gainestown, with the one closest to Gainestown listed first.
    • Calvert
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Mount Vernon
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Monroe County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gainestown, with the one closest to Gainestown listed first.
    • Mount Pleasant
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mount Pleasant have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Pleasant
      • Mount Pleasant is located in Monroe County
    • Perdue Hill
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Perdue Hill
      • Perdue Hill is located in Monroe County
    • Uriah
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Megargel
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Megargel
      • Megargel is located in Monroe County
    • Frisco City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • Finchburg ‑ Historic
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Finchburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Finchburg
      • Finchburg is located in Monroe County
    • Goodway
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goodway
      • Goodway is located in Monroe County
    • Mexia
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mexia have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mexia
      • Mexia is located in Monroe County
    • Excel
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Excel have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Excel
      • Excel is located in Monroe County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 619 people
    • Ollie
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ollie have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ollie
      • Ollie is located in Monroe County
    • Scratch Ankle
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scratch Ankle
      • Scratch Ankle is located in Monroe County
    • Monroeville
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Monroeville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monroeville
      • Monroeville is located in Monroe County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,623 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Monroeville <2>
  • Washington County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Gainestown, with the one closest to Gainestown listed first.
    • Leroy
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leroy
      • Leroy is located in Washington County
    • Prestwick
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prestwick have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prestwick
      • Prestwick is located in Washington County
    • Sunflower
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunflower
      • Sunflower is located in Washington County
    • Wagarville
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • Bassetts Creek
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bassetts Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bassetts Creek
      • Bassetts Creek is located in Washington County
    • Saint Stephen's
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
    • McIntosh
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McIntosh have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McIntosh
      • McIntosh is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 210 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for McIntosh <2>
    • Hawthorn
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hawthorn have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hawthorn
      • Hawthorn is located in Washington County
    • Malcolm
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malcolm
      • Malcolm is located in Washington County
    • Hobson
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hobson
      • Hobson is located in Washington County
    • Fairford
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairford
      • Fairford is located in Washington County
    • Bigbee
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bigbee
      • Bigbee is located in Washington County
  • Wilcox County
    • Lower Peach Tree
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lower Peach Tree
      • Lower Peach Tree is located in Wilcox County

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

Newspapers Published in Gainestown ...

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 20 newspapers that have been published in the area around Gainestown.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Gainestown, there are papers which were published within 28 miles [45.1 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Gainestown.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer 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 Gainestown:

Cemeteries Near Gainestown ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Gainestown.

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

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

  • Franks Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Franks Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Franks Cemetery
  • Road Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Road Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Road Cemetery
  • New Canaan MB Church Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the New Canaan MB Church Cemetery is located 6 miles [9.7 km]<3> to the southwest of Carlton.
    • The New Canaan MB Church Cemetery has also been known as:
    • New Canaan Cemetery
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the New Canaan MB Church Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #1105956 <4>
  • Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
  • Linder Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Linder Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Linder Cemetery
  • Cedar Fork Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cedar Fork Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cedar Fork Cemetery
  • Shomo Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Shomo Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Shomo Cemetery
  • Morning Star Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Morning Star Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Morning Star Cemetery
  • Hotel Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hotel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hotel Cemetery
  • Ferrell Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
  • Weatherford Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Weatherford Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Weatherford Cemetery
  • Mt. Gillard Baptist Church Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
  • Continue List   (209 more) ...
    • Mt. Gilead Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Gilead Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Gilead Cemetery
    • Coleman Cemetery
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Coleman Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Coleman Cemetery
    • Williams Cemetery
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Williams Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Williams Cemetery

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>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Gainestown had a population of 85 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

  • Barlow Bend
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barlow Bend have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barlow Bend
    • Barlow Bend is located in Clarke County
  • Alma
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alma have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alma
    • Alma is located in Clarke County
  • Mount Pleasant
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mount Pleasant have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Pleasant
    • Mount Pleasant is located in Monroe County
  • Walker Springs
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Suggsville
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Suggsville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Suggsville
    • Suggsville is located in Clarke County
  • Gosport
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gosport have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gosport
    • Gosport is located in Clarke County
  • Perdue Hill
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Perdue Hill
    • Perdue Hill is located in Monroe County
  • Claiborne
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Claiborne have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Claiborne
    • Claiborne is located in Monroe County
  • Little River
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
  • Jackson
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jackson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jackson
    • Jackson is located in Clarke County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,582 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jackson <2>
  • Whatley
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whatley
    • Whatley is located in Clarke County
  • Carson
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carson
    • Carson is located in Washington County
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Blacksher
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blacksher
      • Blacksher is located in Baldwin County
    • Finchburg ‑ Historic
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Finchburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Finchburg
      • Finchburg is located in Monroe County
    • Wagar
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wagar have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wagar
      • Wagar is located in Washington County

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

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

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' (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- Gainestown) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Gainestown. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 31.4456, Longitude: -87.6933       In this case, the coordinates for Gainestown 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 Gainestown, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024