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 Crain (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 Crain. 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 doctors and hospitals 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.
Crain is located in Jackson 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 Jackson County: Franklin, Perry, Randolph, Union, Williamson & Perry (MO).
Below are the counties that are near Crain. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Crain:
- Jackson County (The home county of Crain)
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Jacob
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Gorham
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Ava
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Oraville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Degognia
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Degognia is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Degognia
- Murphysboro
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Campbell Hill
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Grand Tower
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Vergennes
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
- Pomona
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
- De Soto
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
- Carbondale
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Franklin County
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Royalton
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Mulkeytown
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Zeigler
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Cambon
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Cambon is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cambon
- Plumfield
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Plumfield is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plumfield
- Christopher
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Coello
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- North City
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- North City is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 566 people
- Orient
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Buckner
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Valier
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Perry County
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Willisville
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
- Denmark
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Denmark is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Denmark
- Cutler
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Pyatts
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Pyatts is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pyatts
- Conant
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Conant is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conant
- Pinckneyville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Du Quoin
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- 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
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Saint Johns is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Johns
- Population from the 2020 Census: 206 people
- Sunfield
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Sunfield is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunfield
- Winkle
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Winkle is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Winkle
- Tamaroa
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Randolph County
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Rockwood
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Shiloh Hill
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Shiloh Hill is located in Randolph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shiloh Hill
- Leanderville
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
- Leanderville is located in Randolph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leanderville
- Welge
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
- Welge is located in Randolph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Welge
- Percy
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Steeleville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- Bremen
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Chester
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
- Menard
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Blair
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Blair is located in Randolph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blair
- New Palestine
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- New Palestine is located in Randolph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Palestine
- Kaskaskia
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Kaskaskia is located in Randolph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kaskaskia
- Population from the 2020 Census: 13 people
- Union County
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Alto Pass
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Wolf Lake
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Cobden
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Water Valley
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Water Valley is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Water Valley
- Anna
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Jonesboro
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Dutch Mills
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Dutch Mills is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dutch Mills
- Reynoldsville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Reynoldsville is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reynoldsville
- Lick Creek
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Lick Creek is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lick Creek
- Williamson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Hurst
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Blairsville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Blairsville is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blairsville
- Bush
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Bush is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bush
- Population from the 2020 Census: 263 people
- Cambria
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Carterville
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Colp
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- 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 <1>
- Dewmaine
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Dewmaine is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dewmaine
- Crainville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Crainville is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crainville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,419 people
- Energy
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Herrin
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Herrin Junction ‑ Historic
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Herrin Junction is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Herrin Junction
- Freeman Spur
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Freeman Spur is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freeman Spur
- Population from the 2020 Census: 276 people
- Freeman Spur has also been known as:
- Freeman Spur village
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Freeman Spur <1>
- Bollinger County (MO)
- Sedgewickville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Sedgewickville is located in Bollinger County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sedgewickville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 167 people
- Cape Girardeau County (MO)
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Old Appleton
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Old Appleton is located in Cape Girardeau County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Appleton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 82 people
- Shawneetown
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
- Shawneetown is located in Cape Girardeau County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shawneetown
- Pocahontas
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Leemon
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Leemon is located in Cape Girardeau County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leemon
- Friedheim
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Oak Ridge
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Daisy
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Daisy is located in Cape Girardeau County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Daisy
- Jackson
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Jackson is located in Cape Girardeau County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jackson
- Population from the 2020 Census: 14,699 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jackson <1>
- Millersville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Perry County (MO)
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Altenburg
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Brazeau
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Brazeau is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brazeau
- Farrar
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Farrar is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farrar
- Frohna
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Frohna is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frohna
- Population from the 2020 Census: 241 people
- Eureka
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Eureka is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eureka
- Longtown
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Longtown is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Longtown
- Population from the 2020 Census: 100 people
- Uniontown
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Uniontown is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Uniontown
- McBride
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- McBride is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McBride
- Sereno
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Sereno is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sereno
- Perryville
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Lithium
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Lithium is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lithium
- Biehle
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Biehle is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Biehle
- Sainte Genevieve County (MO)
- The following are listed by their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Saint Mary
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Quarry Town
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Quarry Town is located in Sainte Genevieve County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quarry Town
- Quarry Town has also been known as:
- Quarrytown
- Minnith
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Minnith is located in Sainte Genevieve County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minnith
- Ozora
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Ozora is located in Sainte Genevieve County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ozora
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Crain, see our County-by-County Page for Crain.
Cemeteries Near Crain ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Crain.
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 Crain - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Crain covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Talbott Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Lee Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Creath Morris Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- McCormick Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Bower Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Lone Oak Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Neunert Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- McBride Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Bartlett Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Goodbread Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Wilson Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Jones Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Continue List (366 more) ...
- Worthen Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Ripley Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Modglin Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
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.<2>
While we didn't find Crain in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Crain.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Crain, with the one closest to Crain listed first.
- Sand Ridge
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Sand Ridge is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sand Ridge
- Seventysix
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Seventysix is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seventysix
- Ava
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Wittenberg
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Wittenberg is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wittenberg
- Oraville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Degognia
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Degognia is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Degognia
- Grand Eddy
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
- Grand Eddy is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grand Eddy
- Murphysboro
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Harrison
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Harrison is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harrison
- Sato
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Sato is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sato
- Campbell Hill
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Grand Tower
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Continue List (14 more) ...
- Grange Hall
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Grange Hall is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grange Hall
- Rockwood
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Brazeau
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Brazeau is located in Perry County (MO)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brazeau
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Crain. See our List of 1890's Communities around Crain.
Newspapers Published in Crain ...
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 108 newspapers that have been published in the area around Crain.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Crain, there are papers which were published within 24 miles [38.6 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Crain.
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 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 Crain:
- Websites specific to Illinois
- Pages specific to Jackson County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Franklin County
- Perry County
- Randolph County
- Union County
- Williamson County
- Bollinger County
- Cape Girardeau County
- Perry County
- Sainte Genevieve 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> | 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 Crain, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <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 from Point A (ie- Crain) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |