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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 Vidalia (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 Vidalia. 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.

Vidalia is primarily located in Toombs County. A portion of Vidalia extends into Montgomery County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Toombs County: Appling, Candler, Emanuel, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Tattnall & Treutlen.

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

  • Toombs County     (The home county of Vidalia)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Lyons
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Santa Claus
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Santa Claus have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Santa Claus
      • Santa Claus is located in Toombs County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 160 people
    • Rock Springs
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Springs
      • Rock Springs is located in Toombs County
    • Ohoopee
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ohoopee
      • Ohoopee is located in Toombs County
    • Toombs Central
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Toombs Central have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Toombs Central
      • Toombs Central is located in Toombs County
      • Estimated population in 2019: 486 people
    • Cedar Crossing
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Crossing
      • Cedar Crossing is located in Toombs County
  • Appling County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Graham
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Graham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Graham
      • Graham is located in Appling County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 289 people
    • Baxley
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
  • Candler County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Canoe
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Canoe have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Canoe
      • Canoe is located in Candler County
      • Estimated population in 2019: 785 people
    • Metter
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Pulaski
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Emanuel County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Oak Park
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Nunez
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nunez have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nunez
      • Nunez is located in Emanuel County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 141 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Nunez <1>
    • Stillmore
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stillmore have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stillmore
      • Stillmore is located in Emanuel County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 515 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Stillmore <1>
    • Norristown
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Norristown have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norristown
      • Norristown is located in Emanuel County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Norristown <1>
    • Swainsboro
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Swainsboro have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swainsboro
      • Swainsboro is located in Emanuel County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,491 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Swainsboro <1>
    • Twin City
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Evans County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Bellville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • Hagan
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
    • Claxton
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
  • Jeff Davis County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Tallahassee
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tallahassee have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tallahassee
      • Tallahassee is located in Jeff Davis County
      • Estimated population in 2019: 3,185 people
    • Lumber City Ferry
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lumber City Ferry have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lumber City Ferry
      • Lumber City Ferry is located in Jeff Davis County
      • Estimated population in 2019: 1,257 people
    • Hazlehurst
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Quinn ‑ Historic
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Quinn have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quinn
      • Quinn is located in Jeff Davis County
      • Estimated population in 2019: 3,652 people
  • Johnson County
    • Adrian
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
  • Laurens County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Rockledge
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rockledge have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockledge
      • Rockledge is located in Laurens County
      • Estimated population in 2019: 4,433 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Rockledge <1>
    • Cedar Grove
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Grove
      • Cedar Grove is located in Laurens County
  • Montgomery County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Higgston
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Higgston have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Higgston
      • Higgston is located in Montgomery County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 305 people
    • Petross
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Petross have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Petross
      • Petross is located in Montgomery County
    • Ailey
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ailey
      • Ailey is located in Montgomery County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 528 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ailey <1>
    • Alston
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Tarrytown
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tarrytown have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tarrytown
      • Tarrytown is located in Montgomery County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 82 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Tarrytown <1>
    • Mount Vernon
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Uvalda
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Tattnall County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Cobbtown
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cobbtown
      • Cobbtown is located in Tattnall County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 342 people
      • Former name for Cobbtown:
      • Cobb Town
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cobbtown <1>
    • Collins
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • Reidsville
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Reidsville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reidsville
      • Reidsville is located in Tattnall County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,665 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Reidsville <1>
    • Manassas
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
    • Mendes
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mendes have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mendes
      • Mendes is located in Tattnall County
      • Estimated population in 2019: 456 people
  • Telfair County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Lumber City
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lumber City have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lumber City
      • Lumber City is located in Telfair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,251 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lumber City <1>
    • Scotland
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Scotland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scotland
      • Scotland is located in Telfair County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 334 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Scotland <1>
    • Helena
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
    • McRae - Helena
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
    • McRae
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McRae
      • McRae is located in Telfair County
  • Treutlen County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Soperton
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Gillis Springs
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gillis Springs
      • Gillis Springs is located in Treutlen County
  • Wheeler County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Vidalia, with the one closest to Vidalia listed first.
    • Ochwalkee
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ochwalkee have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ochwalkee
      • Ochwalkee is located in Wheeler County
      • Estimated population in 2019: 3,732 people
    • Glenwood
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Alamo
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alamo
      • Alamo is located in Wheeler County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,301 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Alamo <1>

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Vidalia ...

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 33 newspapers that have been published in the area around Vidalia.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Vidalia. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Vidalia and those printed in the larger area surrounding Vidalia.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<3> of Vidalia.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These 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 Vidalia:

Cemeteries Near Vidalia ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Vidalia.

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

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

  • Pinecrest Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Bethany Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
  • East Park Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the East Park Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the East Park Cemetery
  • Wilks Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wilks Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wilks Cemetery
  • Blockers Chapel Church Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
  • Wilson Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wilson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wilson Cemetery
  • Johnson Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Johnson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Johnson Cemetery
  • Kennedy Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Kennedy Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Kennedy Cemetery
  • Pea Ridge Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pea Ridge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pea Ridge Cemetery
  • Eternal Glory Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Eternal Glory Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Eternal Glory Cemetery
  • McLeod Grave
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the McLeod Grave have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the McLeod Grave
  • Bell Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bell Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bell Cemetery
  • Continue List   (342 more) ...
    • New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery
      (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • McDonald Cemetery
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the McDonald Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the McDonald Cemetery
    • Ferguson Cemetery
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ferguson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ferguson 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, Vidalia had a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Vidalia had a population of 10,452 people.

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

  • Higgston
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Higgston have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Higgston
    • Higgston is located in Montgomery County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 305 people
  • McGregor
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McGregor have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McGregor
    • McGregor is located in Montgomery County
  • Kibbee
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kibbee have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kibbee
    • Kibbee is located in Montgomery County
  • Ailey
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ailey
    • Ailey is located in Montgomery County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 528 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ailey <1>
  • Mount Vernon
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
  • English Eddy
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for English Eddy have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for English Eddy
    • English Eddy is located in Toombs County
  • Collins
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
  • Reidsville
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Reidsville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reidsville
    • Reidsville is located in Tattnall County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,665 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Reidsville <1>
  • Stillmore
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stillmore have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stillmore
    • Stillmore is located in Emanuel County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 515 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Stillmore <1>
  • Nunez
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nunez have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nunez
    • Nunez is located in Emanuel County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 141 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Nunez <1>
  • Covena
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Covena have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Covena
    • Covena is located in Emanuel County
  • Altamaha
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Altamaha have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Altamaha
    • Altamaha is located in Tattnall County
    • Former name for Altamaha:
    • Atamaha
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Manassas
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
    • Towns
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Towns have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Towns
      • Towns is located in Telfair County
    • Adrian
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)

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

The official website for Vidalia: www.vidaliaga.com/

The official website for State of Georgia: https://georgia.gov/

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 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.
<3>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- Vidalia) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Vidalia. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 32.2170, Longitude: -82.4118    
<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 Vidalia, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024