Our Genealogy Helper
Introduction ...
So far, we found very little information about Chamness. The little that we've found leads us believe that the community is historic.<1>
We've added Chamness to our Gazetteer with the hope that we can develop more information. If you can help us with Chamness, please Contact Us.
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 Chamness (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 Chamness. 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 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.
Although our information shows that the community of Chamness is historic, it would have been located within present day Williamson 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 Williamson County: Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Pope, Saline & Union.
Below are the counties that are near Chamness. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Chamness:
- Williamson County (The home county of Chamness)
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Marion
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Energy
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Crainville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Crainville is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crainville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,419 people
- Lake Crest
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Lake Crest is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Crest
- Spillertown
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Spillertown is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spillertown
- Population from the 2020 Census: 197 people
- Carterville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Herrin
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Whiteash
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Whiteash is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whiteash
- Estimated population in 2014: 240 people
- Dewmaine
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Dewmaine is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dewmaine
- Creal Springs
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Cambria
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Colp
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Colp is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colp
- Population from the 2020 Census: 208 people
- Former name for Colp:
- Colpville
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Colp <2>
- Alexander County
- Elco
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Franklin County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Plumfield
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
- Plumfield is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plumfield
- Cambon
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Cambon is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cambon
- West Frankfort
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- West Frankfort is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Frankfort
- Population from the 2020 Census: 7,733 people
- Zeigler
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Royalton
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Orient
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
- Deering City
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Deering City is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deering City
- Fitt's Hill ‑ Historic
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Fitt's Hill is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fitt's Hill
- Christopher
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Smothersville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Smothersville is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smothersville
- Parrish
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Parrish is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parrish
- Thompsonville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Hamilton County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Walpole
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Walpole is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walpole
- Macedonia
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Jackson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Carbondale
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Makanda
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- De Soto
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
- Hallidayboro
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
- Hallidayboro is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hallidayboro
- Murphysboro
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Pomona
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Elkville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Dowell
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Vergennes
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Oraville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Gorham
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Grand Tower
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Johnson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Eagle Point Bay
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Eagle Point Bay is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eagle Point Bay
- Deer Ridge
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Deer Ridge is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deer Ridge
- Goreville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Egyptian Hills
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Egyptian Hills is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Egyptian Hills
- New Burnside
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Buncombe
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Ozark
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Reynoldsburg
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Reynoldsburg is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reynoldsburg
- Vienna
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Simpson
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Bender ‑ Historic
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Bender is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bender
- Cypress
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Massac County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- New Columbia
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- New Columbia is located in Massac County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Columbia
- Big Bay
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Big Bay is located in Massac County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Bay
- Perry County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Du Quoin
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Du Quoin is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Du Quoin
- Population from the 2020 Census: 5,591 people
- Saint Johns
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Saint Johns is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Johns
- Population from the 2020 Census: 206 people
- Pyatts
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Pyatts is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pyatts
- Sunfield
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Sunfield is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunfield
- Pope County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- McCormick
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- McCormick is located in Pope County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McCormick
- Glendale
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Glendale is located in Pope County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glendale
- Eddyville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Oak
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Oak is located in Pope County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak
- Dixon Springs
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Dixon Springs is located in Pope County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dixon Springs
- Rock
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Rock is located in Pope County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock
- Hartsville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Hartsville is located in Pope County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartsville
- Herod
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Pulaski County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Perks
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Karnak
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Grand Chain
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- New Grand Chain
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- New Grand Chain is located in Pulaski County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Grand Chain
- Population from the 2020 Census: 178 people
- Ullin
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Saline County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Stonefort
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Carrier Mills
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
- Carrier Mills is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carrier Mills
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,527 people
- Former names for Carrier Mills:
- Carriers Mills
- Morrilsville
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Carrier Mills <2>
- Ledford
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Ledford is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ledford
- Buena Vista
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Buena Vista is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buena Vista
- Liberty
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Liberty is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty
- Galatia
(23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
- Harrisburg
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Mitchellsville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Mitchellsville is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mitchellsville
- Gaskins City
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Gaskins City is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gaskins City
- Cornerville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Cornerville is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cornerville
- Muddy
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Long Branch
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Long Branch is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Branch
- Union County
- The following are listed by their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Lick Creek
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Lick Creek is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lick Creek
- Water Valley
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Water Valley is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Water Valley
- Mount Pleasant
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Mount Pleasant is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Pleasant
- Cobden
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
- Alto Pass
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Anna
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Jonesboro
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Dongola
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Dutch Mills
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Dutch Mills is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dutch Mills
- Mill Creek
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Mill Creek is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mill Creek
- Population from the 2020 Census: 64 people
- Wolf Lake
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Reynoldsville
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Reynoldsville is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reynoldsville
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Chamness, see our County-by-County Page for Chamness.
Cemeteries Near Chamness ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Chamness.
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 Chamness - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Chamness covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Crab Orchard Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the east)
- Moulton Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Chamness Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
- Brannon Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Bainbridge Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Pigeon Creek Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Oak Grove Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Meneese Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- McAlpin Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Koonce Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- McCowen Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Hampton Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Continue List (478 more) ...
- Grassy Creek Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Wolf Creek Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Chitty Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
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.
While we didn't find Chamness in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Chamness.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Chamness, with the one closest to Chamness listed first.
- Bainbridge
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Bainbridge is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bainbridge
- Marion
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Crainville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Crainville is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crainville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,419 people
- New Dennison
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- New Dennison is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Dennison
- Carterville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Goreville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Creal Springs
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Fredonia ‑ Historic
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Fredonia is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fredonia
- Crab Orchard
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Crab Orchard is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crab Orchard
- Lick Creek
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Lick Creek is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lick Creek
- Blairsville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Blairsville is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blairsville
- Makanda
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Continue List (16 more) ...
- Elvira
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Elvira is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elvira
- Parker
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
- Parker is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parker
- Carbondale
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Chamness. See our List of 1890's Communities around Chamness.
Newspapers Published in Chamness ...
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 100 newspapers that have been published in the area around Chamness.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Chamness, there are papers which were published within 21 miles [33.8 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Chamness.
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 Chamness:
- Websites specific to Illinois
- Pages specific to Williamson County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Alexander County
- Franklin County
- Hamilton County
- Jackson County
- Johnson County
- Massac County
- Perry County
- Pope County
- Pulaski County
- Saline County
- Union County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Illinois
Footnotes ...
| <1> | 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 Chamness, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <2> | While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program. |
| <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> | 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 from Point A (ie- Chamness) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |