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 Smithdale (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 Smithdale. 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.
Smithdale is located in Cullman 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 Cullman County: Blount, Lawrence, Marshall, Morgan, Walker & Winston.
Below are the counties that are near Smithdale. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Smithdale:
- Cullman County (The home county of Smithdale)
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Cullman
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- South Vinemont
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- South Vinemont is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Vinemont
- Population from the 2020 Census: 636 people
- Vinemont
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- East Point
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- East Point is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Point
- Berlin
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Berlin is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berlin
- West Point
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- West Point is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Point
- Population from the 2020 Census: 604 people
- Good Hope
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Good Hope is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Good Hope
- Population from the 2020 Census: 2,393 people
- Simcoe
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Simcoe is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Simcoe
- White City
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- White City is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White City
- Trimble
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Trimble is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trimble
- Central
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Central is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Central
- Logan
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
- Blount County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Gum Springs
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Gum Springs is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gum Springs
- Mountain Grove
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Mountain Grove is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Grove
- Bangor
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Bangor is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bangor
- Blountsville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Birdie
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Birdie is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birdie
- Blount Springs
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Blount Springs is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blount Springs
- Liberty
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Liberty is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty
- Summit
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Summit is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summit
- Nectar
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Nectar is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nectar
- Population from the 2020 Census: 344 people
- Reid's
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Reid's is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reid's
- Smoke Rise
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Smoke Rise is located in Blount County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smoke Rise
- Cleveland
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Jefferson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Trafford
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Corner
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Corner is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corner
- Kimberly
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Masseyline
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Masseyline is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Masseyline
- Lawrence County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Oakville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Oakville is located in Lawrence County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakville
- Wren
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Wren is located in Lawrence County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wren
- Limestone County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Swancott
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Swancott is located in Limestone County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swancott
- Westlake
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Westlake is located in Limestone County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westlake
- Mooresville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Madison County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Triana
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Triana is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Triana
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,327 people
- Slaughter Landing ‑ Historic
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Slaughter Landing is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slaughter Landing
- Slaughter Landing has also been known as:
- Slaughter Ferry
- Marshall County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Hog Jaw
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
- Hog Jaw is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hog Jaw
- Pine Lake Village
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Pine Lake Village is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pine Lake Village
- Ruth
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Ruth is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ruth
- Arab
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Askea Grove
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Askea Grove is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Askea Grove
- Big Spring ‑ Historic
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Big Spring is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Spring
- Friendship
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Friendship is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Friendship
- Grassy
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Grassy is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grassy
- Bowen ‑ Historic
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Bowen is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowen
- Scant City
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Scant City is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scant City
- Union Grove
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Hyatt
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Hyatt is located in Marshall County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hyatt
- Morgan County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Lacon
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
- Lacon is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lacon
- Eva
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Falkville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Leesdale
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Leesdale is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leesdale
- Cedar Plains
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
- Cedar Plains is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Plains
- Hulaco
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Hulaco is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hulaco
- Hartselle
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Florette
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Florette is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florette
- Ryan Crossroads
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Ryan Crossroads is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ryan Crossroads
- Somerville
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Somerville is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Somerville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 782 people
- Apple Grove
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
- Apple Grove is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Apple Grove
- Danville
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
- Walker County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Marylee
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Marylee is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marylee
- Powellville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Powellville is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Powellville
- Burrows Crossroads
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Burrows Crossroads is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burrows Crossroads
- Creel
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Creel is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creel
- Empire
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Empire is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Empire
- Red Rock
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Red Rock is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Rock
- Black Warrior Town ‑ Historic
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Black Warrior Town is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Black Warrior Town
- Sipsey
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Sipsey is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sipsey
- Population from the 2020 Census: 396 people
- South Lowell
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- South Lowell is located in Walker County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Lowell
- Winston County
- The following are listed by their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Upshaw
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
- Upshaw is located in Winston County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Upshaw
- Addison
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Arley
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Houston
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Slick Ford
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Slick Ford is located in Winston County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slick Ford
- Ellaville
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
- Ellaville is located in Winston County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ellaville
- Falls City ‑ Historic
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Falls City is located in Winston County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Falls City
- Grayson
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Grayson is located in Winston County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grayson
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Smithdale, see our County-by-County Page for Smithdale.
Cemeteries Near Smithdale ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Smithdale.
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 Smithdale - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Smithdale covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Mt. Zion Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Cullman City Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Sacred Heart Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- St. Bernard Abbey Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Sacred Heart Convent Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Vinemont Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Baldwin Chapel Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Baldwin Heights Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Mt. Nebo Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Missionary Grove Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Spitznagl Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Pullen Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Continue List (591 more) ...
- East Point Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Point Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the East Point Cemetery is located in the vicinity of East Point
- Pleasant Grove Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Flint Creek Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
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 Smithdale in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Smithdale.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Smithdale, with the one closest to Smithdale listed first.
- Cullman
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Baldwin
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Baldwin is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baldwin
- Phelan
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Phelan is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Phelan
- Wilhites
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Wilhites is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilhites
- Simcoe
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Simcoe is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Simcoe
- Trimble
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Trimble is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trimble
- Logan
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
- Eva
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Battleground
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Battleground is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Battleground
- Falkville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Walter
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Walter is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walter
- Jones' Chapel
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Jones' Chapel is located in Cullman County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jones' Chapel
- Continue List (13 more) ...
- Crane Hill
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Leesdale
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Leesdale is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leesdale
- Cedar Plains
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
- Cedar Plains is located in Morgan County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Plains
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Smithdale. See our List of 1890's Communities around Smithdale.
Newspapers Published in Smithdale ...
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 27 newspapers that have been published in the area around Smithdale.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Smithdale, there are papers which were published within 17 miles [27.4 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Smithdale.
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 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 Smithdale:
- Websites specific to Alabama
- Pages specific to Cullman County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Blount County
- Jefferson County
- Lawrence County
- Limestone County
- Madison County
- Marshall County
- Morgan County
- Walker County
- Winston 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 Smithdale, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a '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- Smithdale) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |