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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 Cottondale (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 Cottondale. 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 hospitals and 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.

Cottondale is located in Jackson County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Jackson County: Geneva (AL), Houston (AL), Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Liberty, Washington & Seminole (GA).

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

  • Jackson County     (The home county of Cottondale)
  • Bay County
  • Calhoun County
  • Holmes County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Cottondale, with the one closest to Cottondale listed first.
    • Bonifay
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Noma
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Esto
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Esto have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Esto
      • Esto is located in Holmes County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 358 people
    • Izagora
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Izagora. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Izagora
      • Izagora is located in Holmes County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Izagora
      • From Cottondale to Izagora
    • Westville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
    • Cerrogordo
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • Washington County
  • Geneva County (AL)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Cottondale, with the one closest to Cottondale listed first.
    • Malvern
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Malvern have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malvern
      • Malvern is located in Geneva County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,462 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Malvern <2>
    • Slocomb
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Slocomb have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slocomb
      • Slocomb is located in Geneva County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,929 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Slocomb <2>
    • Black
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Black have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Black
      • Black is located in Geneva County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 203 people
    • Dundee
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Hartford
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
  • Houston County (AL)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Cottondale, with the one closest to Cottondale listed first.
    • Madrid
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Madrid have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Madrid
      • Madrid is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 293 people
    • Cottonwood
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
    • Merritts Crossroads
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
    • Keyton's
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Keyton's. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keyton's
      • Keyton's is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Keyton's
      • From Cottondale to Keyton's
    • Rehobeth
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rehobeth have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rehobeth
      • Rehobeth is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,699 people
    • Taylor
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Taylor have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Taylor
      • Taylor is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,440 people
    • Parker Village
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Parker Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parker Village
      • Parker Village is located in Houston County (AL)
    • Avon
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Avon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avon
      • Avon is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 510 people
    • Parish
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Parish have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parish
      • Parish is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Parish <2>
    • Ashford
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ashford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashford
      • Ashford is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,202 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ashford <2>
    • Cowarts
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cowarts have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cowarts
      • Cowarts is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,097 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cowarts <2>
    • Gordon
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • 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 Houston County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 328 people
    • Dothan
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dothan have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dothan
      • Dothan is located in Houston County (AL)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 69,414 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Dothan <2>
  • Early County (GA)
    • Jakin
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jakin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jakin
      • Jakin is located in Early County (GA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 145 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jakin <2>
  • Seminole County (GA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Cottondale, with the one closest to Cottondale listed first.
    • Butlers Ferry
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Butlers Ferry have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Butlers Ferry
      • Butlers Ferry is located in Seminole County (GA)
      • Estimated population in 2019: 1,759 people
    • Steam Mill
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Steam Mill. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Steam Mill
      • Steam Mill is located in Seminole County (GA)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Steam Mill
      • From Cottondale to Steam Mill

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

Cemeteries Near Cottondale ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Cottondale.

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

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

  • Rock Hill Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Roulhac Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Roulhac Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Roulhac Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Orange Hill Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Orange Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Orange Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Kent Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Kent Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Kent Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Victory Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Victory Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Victory Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Dyke Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dyke Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dyke Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Riverside Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
  • Mt. Zion Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Zion Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Zion Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pelt Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pelt Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pelt Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • McNeally Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the McNeally Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the McNeally Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • New Hope Assembly of God Church Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
  • Limestone Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Limestone Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Limestone Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (155 more) ...
    • Scarlett Cemetery
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • McCormick Cemetery
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the McCormick Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the McCormick Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Pinecrest Memorial Gardens
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pinecrest Memorial Gardens
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pinecrest Memorial Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.

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.<6>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Cottondale had a population of 300 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Cottondale had a population of 884 people.

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

  • Marianna
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
  • Chipley
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
  • Campbellton
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
  • Greenwood
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
  • Graceville
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Bascom
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
  • Bonifay
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
  • Cypress
    (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
  • Big Creek
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Big Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Creek
    • Big Creek is located in Houston County (AL)
  • Fadette
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fadette have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fadette
    • Fadette is located in Geneva County (AL)
  • Alliance
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alliance have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alliance
    • Alliance is located in Jackson County
  • Keyton's
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Keyton's. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keyton's
    • Keyton's is located in Houston County (AL)
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Keyton's
    • From Cottondale to Keyton's
  • Continue List   (12 more) ...
    • Warwick ‑ Historic
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Warwick have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warwick
      • Warwick is located in Geneva County (AL)
    • Inwood
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Inwood. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Inwood
      • Inwood is located in Jackson County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Inwood
      • From Cottondale to Inwood
    • Chipola
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Chipola. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chipola
      • Chipola is located in Calhoun County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Chipola
      • From Cottondale to Chipola

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

Newspapers Published in Cottondale ...

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 28 newspapers that have been published in the area around Cottondale.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Cottondale, there are papers which were published within 27 miles [43.5 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Cottondale.

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 websites either 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 Cottondale:

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

The official website for Jackson County: www.jacksoncounty-fl.com/

The official website for State of Florida: https://www.myflorida.com/

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>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Cottondale) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Cottondale. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 30.7977, Longitude: -85.3767    
<5>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.
<6>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 Cottondale, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 12 Jul 2025