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 Centerville (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 Centerville. 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 northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals and doctors were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the 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.
Centerville is located in White County.
To see how the shape of Illinois' counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of White County: Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Saline, Wayne, Gibson (IN) & Posey (IN).
Below are the counties that are near Centerville. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Centerville:
- White County (The home county of Centerville)
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Burnt Prairie
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Crossville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Carmi
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Calvin
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Calvin is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calvin
- Phillipstown
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Phillipstown is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Phillipstown
- Population from the 2020 Census: 40 people
- Grayville
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Mill Shoals
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Springerton
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Enfield
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Maunie
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Stokes
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Stokes is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stokes
- Emma
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
- Herald
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Edwards County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Ellery
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Albion
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- Red Top
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Red Top is located in Edwards County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Top
- Browns
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Bone Gap
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
- Bennington
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Bennington is located in Edwards County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bennington
- Maple Grove
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Maple Grove is located in Edwards County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maple Grove
- West Salem
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- West Salem is located in Edwards County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Salem
- Population from the 2020 Census: 844 people
- Mills Prairie ‑ Historic
(23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
- Mills Prairie is located in Edwards County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mills Prairie
- Marion
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Marion is located in Edwards County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marion
- Gallatin County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- New Haven
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Omaha
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Inman
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Inman is located in Gallatin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Inman
- Elba
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Elba is located in Gallatin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elba
- Ridgway
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Hamilton County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Bungay
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Bungay is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bungay
- Jefferson City ‑ Historic
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
- Jefferson City is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jefferson City
- Belle Prairie City
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Belle Prairie City is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belle Prairie City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 50 people
- McLeansboro
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Piopolis
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Piopolis is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Piopolis
- Dale
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Diamond City
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Diamond City is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Diamond City
- Broughton
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Flint
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
- Flint is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint
- Walpole
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Walpole is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walpole
- Lovilla
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Lovilla is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lovilla
- Dahlgren
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Richland County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Parkersburg
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Wynoose
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Wynoose is located in Richland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wynoose
- Gallagher
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Gallagher is located in Richland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gallagher
- Berryville
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Berryville is located in Richland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berryville
- Saline County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Texas City
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Texas City is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Texas City
- Saline City
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Saline City is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saline City
- Eldorado
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Wabash County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Bellmont
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- Keensburg
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
- Mount Carmel
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Lancaster
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Lancaster is located in Wabash County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lancaster
- Patton
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Patton is located in Wabash County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Patton
- Wayne County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Golden Gate
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Barnhill
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Fairfield
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
- Boyleston
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Boyleston is located in Wayne County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boyleston
- Geff
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Jeffersonville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Jeffersonville is located in Wayne County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jeffersonville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 350 people
- Mount Erie
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Sims
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Enterprise
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Enterprise is located in Wayne County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Enterprise
- Wayne City
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Cisne
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Keenes
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Johnsonville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Gibson County (IN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Mounts
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Mounts is located in Gibson County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mounts
- Owensville
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Posey County (IN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Griffin
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Griffin is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Griffin
- Population from the 2020 Census: 167 people
- New Harmony
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Barrett
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
- Barrett is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barrett
- Savah
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Savah is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Savah
- Stewartsville
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Stewartsville is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stewartsville
- Solitude
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Solitude is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Solitude
- Springfield
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Springfield is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springfield
- Poseyville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Oliver
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Oliver is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oliver
- Wadesville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Hepburn
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Hepburn is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hepburn
- Bufkin
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Bufkin is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bufkin
- Blairsville
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Blairsville is located in Posey County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blairsville
- Vanderburgh County (IN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Martin
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Martin is located in Vanderburgh County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martin
- Armstrong
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Armstrong is located in Vanderburgh County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Armstrong
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Centerville, see our County-by-County Page for Centerville.
Cemeteries Near Centerville ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Centerville.
This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.
Although we don't have the information ourselves, if you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our list of websites on our Genealogy Helper Page for Centerville - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Centerville covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Centerville Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Ralls Family Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Cherry Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Riverside Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Old Bethel Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Miller Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Rebstock Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Salem Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Sumpter Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Barth Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barth Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the Barth Cemetery is located 2 miles [3.2 km]<2> to the northwest of Carmi.
- The Barth Cemetery has also been known as:
- St. Johns Cemetery
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #104643 <3>
- Reib Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Continue List (374 more) ...
- Hadden Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Brown Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Union Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
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.<4>
While we didn't find Centerville in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Centerville.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Crossville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Burnt Prairie
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Carmi
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Phillipstown
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Phillipstown is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Phillipstown
- Population from the 2020 Census: 40 people
- Calvin
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Calvin is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calvin
- Grayville
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Ellery
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Mill Shoals
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Springerton
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Golden Gate
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Enfield
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Brownsville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Brownsville is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brownsville
- Continue List (14 more) ...
- Merriam
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Merriam is located in Wayne County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Merriam
- Stokes
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Stokes is located in White County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stokes
- New Harmony
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Centerville. See our List of 1890's Communities around Centerville.
Newspapers Published in Centerville ...
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 109 newspapers that have been published in the area around Centerville.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Centerville, there are papers which were published within 26 miles [41.8 km]<2>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Centerville.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful 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 Centerville:
- Websites specific to Illinois
- Pages specific to White County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Edwards County
- Gallatin County
- Hamilton County
- Richland County
- Saline County
- Wabash County
- Wayne County
- Gibson County
- Posey County
- Vanderburgh County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Illinois
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> | 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Centerville) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |
| <3> | 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. |
| <4> | 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 Centerville, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |