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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 Ridge Harbor (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 Ridge Harbor. 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.

Name Variations for Ridge Harbor ...

When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.

Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might have occurred.

For example, a typical abbreviation for Ridge Harbor: Ridge Hbr. (or less commonly used: Ridge Harb. or Ridge Hrbr.)

If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.

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 northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals 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 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, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

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

Ridge Harbor is located in Charlotte 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 Charlotte County: DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Lee & Sarasota.

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

  • Charlotte County     (The home county of Ridge Harbor)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ridge Harbor, with the one closest to Ridge Harbor listed first.
    • Cleveland
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cleveland
      • Cleveland is located in Charlotte County
    • Harbour Heights
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Harbour Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harbour Heights
      • Harbour Heights is located in Charlotte County
    • Solana
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Solana have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Solana
      • Solana is located in Charlotte County
    • Harbor View
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harbor View
      • Harbor View is located in Charlotte County
    • Fishermens Village
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fishermens Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fishermens Village
      • Fishermens Village is located in Charlotte County
    • Punta Gorda
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Charlotte Harbor
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Charlotte Park
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Charlotte Park have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Charlotte Park
      • Charlotte Park is located in Charlotte County
    • Port Charlotte
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Murdock
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • El Jobean
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Rotonda West
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
  • DeSoto County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ridge Harbor, with the one closest to Ridge Harbor listed first.
    • Fort Ogden
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Nocatee
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Arcadia
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
    • Calvinia ‑ Historic
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Calvinia. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calvinia
      • Calvinia is located in DeSoto County
  • Lee County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ridge Harbor, with the one closest to Ridge Harbor listed first.
    • Burnt Store Marina
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Burnt Store Marina have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burnt Store Marina
      • Burnt Store Marina is located in Lee County
    • Slater
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Slater. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slater
      • Slater is located in Lee County
    • Suncoast Estates
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Suncoast Estates have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Suncoast Estates
      • Suncoast Estates is located in Lee County
    • Samville ‑ Historic
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Samville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Samville
      • Samville is located in Lee County
    • Palmona Park
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Palmona Park have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Palmona Park
      • Palmona Park is located in Lee County
    • North Fort Myers
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • Tice
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
    • Fort Myers Shores
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fort Myers Shores have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fort Myers Shores
      • Fort Myers Shores is located in Lee County
    • Morse Shores
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Morse Shores have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morse Shores
      • Morse Shores is located in Lee County
    • Olga
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Olga have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olga
      • Olga is located in Lee County
    • Upcohall ‑ Historic
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Upcohall. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Upcohall
      • Upcohall is located in Lee County
    • Bokeelia
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
  • Manatee County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ridge Harbor, with the one closest to Ridge Harbor listed first.
    • Sandy
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandy
      • Sandy is located in Manatee County
    • Myakka City
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
  • Sarasota County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ridge Harbor, with the one closest to Ridge Harbor listed first.
    • North Port
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Warm Mineral Springs
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
    • Englewood
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • Plantation
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Plantation have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plantation
      • Plantation is located in Sarasota County
    • Shiney Town
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shiney Town have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shiney Town
      • Shiney Town is located in Sarasota County
    • Venice Gardens
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Venice Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Venice Gardens
      • Venice Gardens is located in Sarasota County
    • South Venice
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)

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

Cemeteries Near Ridge Harbor ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Ridge Harbor.

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

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

  • Cleveland Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cleveland Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cleveland Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Ogden Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ogden Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ogden Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Ft. Ogden Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ft. Ogden Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ft. Ogden Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Indian Springs Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Indian Springs Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Indian Springs Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Royal Palm Memorial Gardens
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Royal Palm Memorial Gardens
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Royal Palm Memorial Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Hull Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hull Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hull Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Restlawn Memorial Gardens
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
  • Owens Cemetery
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Owens Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Owens Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Joshua Creek Cemetery
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Joshua Creek Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Joshua Creek Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Oak Ridge Cemetery
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Oak Ridge Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Oak Ridge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Lamp Grounds Cemetery
    (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lamp Grounds Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lamp Grounds Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pine Level Campground Cemetery
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pine Level Campground Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pine Level Campground Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (20 more) ...
    • Coral Ridge Gardens
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Coral Ridge Gardens
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Coral Ridge Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Prospect Cemetery
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Coral Ridge Cemetery
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)

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>

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

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

  • Cleveland
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cleveland
    • Cleveland is located in Charlotte County
  • Harbor View
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harbor View
    • Harbor View is located in Charlotte County
  • Fort Ogden
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Charlotte Harbor
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
  • Punta Gorda
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Nocatee
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
  • Arcadia
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
  • Pine Level
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pine Level have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pine Level
    • Pine Level is located in DeSoto County
  • Sandy
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandy
    • Sandy is located in Manatee County
  • Grove City
    (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
  • Buckingham
    (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buckingham
    • Buckingham is located in Lee County
  • Calvinia ‑ Historic
    (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Calvinia. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calvinia
    • Calvinia is located in DeSoto County
  • Alva
    (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)

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

Newspapers Published in Ridge Harbor ...

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 48 newspapers that have been published in the area around Ridge Harbor.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Ridge Harbor, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Ridge Harbor.

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 Ridge Harbor:

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

The official website for Charlotte County: www.charlottecountyfl.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>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 Ridge Harbor, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<6>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- Ridge Harbor) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Ridge Harbor. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 26.9906, Longitude: -81.9545       In this case, the coordinates for Ridge Harbor have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Mar 2025