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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 Plainfield (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 Plainfield. 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/Parishes ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties/parishes.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors 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/parishes 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/parishes, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Plainfield is located in Columbia County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Columbia County: Lafayette, Nevada, Ouachita, Union, Claiborne (LA) & Webster (LA).

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

  • Columbia County     (The home county of Plainfield)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Plainfield, with the one closest to Plainfield listed first.
    • Western
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Western
      • Western is located in Columbia County
    • Horsehead
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Horsehead have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Horsehead
      • Horsehead is located in Columbia County
    • Macedonia
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Macedonia
      • Macedonia is located in Columbia County
    • Emerson
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emerson
      • Emerson is located in Columbia County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 338 people
    • Welcome
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Welcome have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Welcome
      • Welcome is located in Columbia County
    • Taylor
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Philadelphia
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Philadelphia
      • Philadelphia is located in Columbia County
    • Calhoun
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calhoun
      • Calhoun is located in Columbia County
    • Magnolia
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
    • McNeil
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Waldo
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waldo
      • Waldo is located in Columbia County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,256 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Waldo <2>
    • Village
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Village
      • Village is located in Columbia County
  • Lafayette County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Plainfield, with the one closest to Plainfield listed first.
    • McKamie
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McKamie
      • McKamie is located in Lafayette County
    • Bradley
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • Walnut Hill
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Hill
      • Walnut Hill is located in Lafayette County
    • Buckner
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Buckner have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buckner
      • Buckner is located in Lafayette County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 229 people
    • Kress City
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kress City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kress City
      • Kress City is located in Lafayette County
    • Gin City
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gin City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gin City
      • Gin City is located in Lafayette County
    • Stamps
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stamps
      • Stamps is located in Lafayette County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,467 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Stamps <2>
    • Lewisville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Old Town
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Old Town have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Town
      • Old Town is located in Lafayette County
  • Ouachita County
    • Stephens
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stephens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stephens
      • Stephens is located in Ouachita County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 779 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Stephens <2>
  • Union County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Plainfield, with the one closest to Plainfield listed first.
    • Dodge City
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dodge City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dodge City
      • Dodge City is located in Union County
    • Mount Holly
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mount Holly have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Holly
      • Mount Holly is located in Union County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mount Holly <2>
  • Bossier Parish (LA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Plainfield, with the one closest to Plainfield listed first.
    • Ivan
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ivan have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivan
      • Ivan is located in Bossier Parish (LA)
    • Plain Dealing
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Plain Dealing have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plain Dealing
      • Plain Dealing is located in Bossier Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 935 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Plain Dealing <2>
    • Alden Bridge
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alden Bridge have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alden Bridge
      • Alden Bridge is located in Bossier Parish (LA)
  • Caddo Parish (LA)
    • Missionary
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Missionary have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Missionary
      • Missionary is located in Caddo Parish (LA)
  • Claiborne Parish (LA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Plainfield, with the one closest to Plainfield listed first.
    • Dykesville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dykesville
      • Dykesville is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
    • Haynesville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Haynesville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haynesville
      • Haynesville is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,000 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Haynesville <2>
    • Blackburn
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackburn
      • Blackburn is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
    • Gordon
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gordon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gordon
      • Gordon is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
    • Homer
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Homer
      • Homer is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,789 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Homer <2>
    • Arizona
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Arizona have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arizona
      • Arizona is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
    • Summerfield
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerfield
      • Summerfield is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
  • Webster Parish (LA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Plainfield, with the one closest to Plainfield listed first.
    • Shongaloo
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Springhill
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Springhill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springhill
      • Springhill is located in Webster Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,684 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Springhill <2>
    • Cullen
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cullen have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cullen
      • Cullen is located in Webster Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,056 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cullen <2>
    • Sarepta
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sarepta
      • Sarepta is located in Webster Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 814 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sarepta <2>
    • Cotton Valley
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cotton Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cotton Valley
      • Cotton Valley is located in Webster Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 933 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cotton Valley <2>
    • Minden
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minden
      • Minden is located in Webster Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 11,575 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Minden <2>

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

Newspapers Published in Plainfield ...

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 Plainfield.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Plainfield, there are papers which were published within 26 miles [41.8 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Plainfield.

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 Plainfield:

Cemeteries Near Plainfield ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Plainfield.

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

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

  • Stewart - Walkerville Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Stewart - Walkerville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Stewart - Walkerville Cemetery
  • Old Shongaloo Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Glover Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Glover Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Glover Cemetery
  • Haynes Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Haynes Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Haynes Cemetery
  • Mt. Pisgah Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
  • Pilgrims Rest Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pilgrims Rest Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pilgrims Rest Cemetery
  • Macedonia Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Macedonia Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Macedonia Cemetery
  • Slack Memorial Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Slack Memorial Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Slack Memorial Cemetery
  • Taylor Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Taylor Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Taylor Cemetery
  • Wards Chapel Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
  • Anderson Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Anderson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Anderson Cemetery
  • Jerusalem Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jerusalem Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jerusalem Cemetery
  • Continue List   (227 more) ...
    • Owen Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Owen Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Owen Cemetery
    • Boucher Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Boucher Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Boucher Cemetery
    • Springhill Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Springhill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Springhill 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 in 1895, Plainfield had a post office and no railroad service.

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

  • Horsehead
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Horsehead have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Horsehead
    • Horsehead is located in Columbia County
  • Millerton
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Millerton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millerton
    • Millerton is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
  • Shongaloo
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
  • Welcome
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Welcome have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Welcome
    • Welcome is located in Columbia County
  • Macedonia
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Macedonia
    • Macedonia is located in Columbia County
  • Brister
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brister have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brister
    • Brister is located in Columbia County
  • Dykesville
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dykesville
    • Dykesville is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
  • Haynesville
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Haynesville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haynesville
    • Haynesville is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,000 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Haynesville <2>
  • Sharman
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sharman have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharman
    • Sharman is located in Columbia County
  • Sarepta
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sarepta
    • Sarepta is located in Webster Parish (LA)
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 814 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sarepta <2>
  • Ware
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ware have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ware
    • Ware is located in Columbia County
  • Blackburn
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackburn
    • Blackburn is located in Claiborne Parish (LA)
  • Continue List   (18 more) ...
    • Calhoun
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calhoun
      • Calhoun is located in Columbia County
    • Carterville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carterville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carterville
      • Carterville is located in Bossier Parish (LA)
    • Atlanta
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Atlanta have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Atlanta
      • Atlanta is located in Columbia County

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

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

The official website for State of Arkansas: https://portal.arkansas.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 from Point A (ie- Plainfield) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Plainfield. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.0479, Longitude: -93.3188       In this case, the coordinates for Plainfield 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 Plainfield, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024