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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 Hardy (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 Hardy. 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 southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals and doctors were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

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 south 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.

Hardy is located in Shelby 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 Shelby County: Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Jefferson, Saint Clair & Talladega.

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

  • Shelby County     (The home county of Hardy)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hardy, with the one closest to Hardy listed first.
    • Siluria
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Siluria is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Siluria
    • Alabaster
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Falliston
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Falliston is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Falliston
    • Helena
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Tacoa
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Tacoa is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tacoa
    • Saginaw
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Saginaw is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saginaw
    • Pelham
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Brantleyville
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Brantleyville is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brantleyville
    • Maylene
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Tulse
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Tulse is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tulse
    • Indian Springs Village
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Indian Springs Village is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Springs Village
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,628 people
    • Bamford
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Bamford is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bamford
  • Bibb County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hardy, with the one closest to Hardy listed first.
    • Eddings
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Eddings is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eddings
    • Cane Creek ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Cane Creek is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cane Creek
    • Brierfield
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Seymour
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Seymour is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seymour
    • Ashby
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Ashby is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashby
    • Belle Ellen
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Belle Ellen is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belle Ellen
    • Nash Town ‑ Historic
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Nash Town is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nash Town
    • Green Pond
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Woodstock
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Blocton ‑ Historic
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Blocton is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blocton
    • Italian Town
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Italian Town is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Italian Town
    • Blocton Junction
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
      • Blocton Junction is located in Bibb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blocton Junction
      • Blocton Junction has also been known as:
      • Blockton Junc
  • Blount County
    • Dale ‑ Historic
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Dale is located in Blount County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dale
  • Chilton County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hardy, with the one closest to Hardy listed first.
    • Jemison
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Thorsby
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Jumbo
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Jumbo is located in Chilton County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jumbo
  • Coosa County
    • Aucheucaula ‑ Historic
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Aucheucaula is located in Coosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aucheucaula
  • Jefferson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hardy, with the one closest to Hardy listed first.
    • Greenwood
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Greenwood is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenwood
    • Hoover
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
      • Hoover is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hoover
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 85,959 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hoover <1>
    • Shannon
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Shannon is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shannon
    • Oxmoor
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Oxmoor is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oxmoor
    • Mobile Junction
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Mobile Junction is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mobile Junction
    • New Village
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • New Village is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Village
    • Vestavia Hills
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Bessemer
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Duncan
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Duncan is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duncan
    • Homewood
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Ishkooda
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Ishkooda is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ishkooda
    • Blue Creek Junction
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Blue Creek Junction is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blue Creek Junction
  • Saint Clair County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hardy, with the one closest to Hardy listed first.
    • Vincent
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Vincent is located in Saint Clair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vincent
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,223 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Vincent <1>
    • Woodland Village
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Woodland Village is located in Saint Clair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodland Village
    • Brompton
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Brompton is located in Saint Clair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brompton
    • Moody
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Moody is located in Saint Clair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moody
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 13,292 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Moody <1>
    • Acmar
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Acmar is located in Saint Clair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Acmar
    • Parsons
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Parsons is located in Saint Clair County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parsons
  • Talladega County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hardy, with the one closest to Hardy listed first.
    • Talladega Springs
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Talladega Springs is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Talladega Springs
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 156 people
    • Fayetteville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Fayetteville is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fayetteville
    • Childersburg
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Bon Air
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Bon Air is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bon Air
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 109 people
    • East Bend
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • East Bend is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Bend
    • Comerdale
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Comerdale is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Comerdale
    • Oak Grove
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Oak Grove is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Grove
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 513 people
    • Zubers
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Zubers is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zubers
    • Logan Martin Dam
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Logan Martin Dam is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Logan Martin Dam
    • Gantts Quarry
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Gantts Quarry is located in Talladega County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gantts Quarry
  • Tuscaloosa County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hardy, with the one closest to Hardy listed first.
    • Tannehill
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
      • Tannehill is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tannehill
    • Lake View
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Lake View is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake View
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,732 people
    • Abernant
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Abernant is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abernant
    • Vance
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Vance is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vance
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,807 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Vance <1>
    • Bull City
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Bull City is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bull City
    • Brookwood
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Kellerman
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Kellerman is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kellerman

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

Cemeteries Near Hardy ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Hardy.

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 Hardy - one of the links might be able to help.

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Hardy covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • Cedar Grove Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Siluria Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Pelham Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
  • Cumberland Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
  • David Lindsay Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
  • Still Memorial Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Benten Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Black Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Ozley Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Acton Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
  • Deerhurst Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
  • Oldham Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
  • Continue List   (400 more) ...
    • Cedar Grove Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Goodson Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Longview Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)

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.<2>

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

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

  • Siluria
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Siluria is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Siluria
  • Tacoa
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Tacoa is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tacoa
  • Falliston
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Falliston is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Falliston
  • Helena
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
  • Longview
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Longview is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Longview
  • Pelham
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
  • Tulse
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Tulse is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tulse
  • Maylene
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Morgan
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Morgan is located in Jefferson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morgan
  • Bamford
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Bamford is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bamford
  • Dogwood
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Dogwood is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dogwood
  • Gurnee
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Gurnee is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gurnee
  • Continue List   (19 more) ...
    • Boothton
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Boothton is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boothton
    • Anita
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Anita is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Anita
    • Oxmoor
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Oxmoor is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oxmoor

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

Newspapers Published in Hardy ...

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 1 newspapers that have been published in the area around Hardy.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Hardy, there are papers which were published within 4 miles [6.4 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Hardy.

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 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 Hardy:

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>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 Hardy, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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- Hardy) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.