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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 Hitt (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 Hitt. 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.

Hitt is located in Carroll County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Carroll County: Clinton (IA), Jackson (IA), Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson & Whiteside.

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

  • Carroll County     (The home county of Hitt)
  • Bureau County
  • Jo Daviess County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hitt, with the one closest to Hitt listed first.
    • Pleasant Valley
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Stockton
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stockton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stockton
      • Stockton is located in Jo Daviess County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,709 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Stockton <1>
  • Lee County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hitt, with the one closest to Hitt listed first.
    • Prairieville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prairieville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairieville
      • Prairieville is located in Lee County
    • Nelson
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nelson have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nelson
      • Nelson is located in Lee County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 156 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Nelson <1>
    • Dixon
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Harmon
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Harmon have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harmon
      • Harmon is located in Lee County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 109 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Harmon <1>
    • Nachusa
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nachusa have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nachusa
      • Nachusa is located in Lee County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Nachusa <1>
    • Eldena
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Eldena have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eldena
      • Eldena is located in Lee County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Eldena <1>
    • Franklin Grove
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Franklin Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Franklin Grove
      • Franklin Grove is located in Lee County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 919 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Franklin Grove <1>
    • Amboy
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Amboy have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amboy
      • Amboy is located in Lee County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,287 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Amboy <1>
    • Ashton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
    • Lee Center
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lee Center have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lee Center
      • Lee Center is located in Lee County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lee Center <1>
  • Ogle County
  • Stephenson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hitt, with the one closest to Hitt listed first.
    • Florence
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Florence have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florence
      • Florence is located in Stephenson County
    • Bolton
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Bolton. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bolton
      • Bolton is located in Stephenson County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Bolton
      • From Hitt to Bolton
    • Loran
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
    • Pearl City
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • German Valley
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Freeport
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Freeport have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freeport
      • Freeport is located in Stephenson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 23,447 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Freeport <1>
    • Yellow Creek
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Eleroy
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
    • Kent
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kent have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kent
      • Kent is located in Stephenson County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Kent <1>
    • Salem
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Salem have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salem
      • Salem is located in Stephenson County
    • Ridott
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ridott have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ridott
      • Ridott is located in Stephenson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 149 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ridott <1>
    • Cedarville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • Lena
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
  • Whiteside County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hitt, with the one closest to Hitt listed first.
    • Coleta
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Coleta have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coleta
      • Coleta is located in Whiteside County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 151 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Coleta <1>
    • Penrose
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • White Pigeon
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for White Pigeon. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Pigeon
      • White Pigeon is located in Whiteside County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to White Pigeon
      • From Hitt to White Pigeon
    • Malvern
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Malvern. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malvern
      • Malvern is located in Whiteside County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Malvern
      • From Hitt to Malvern
    • Galt
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Galt have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Galt
      • Galt is located in Whiteside County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Galt <1>
    • Sterling
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Rock Falls
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
    • Spring Valley
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
    • Morrison
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Morrison have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morrison
      • Morrison is located in Whiteside County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,950 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Morrison <1>
    • Union Grove
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • Lyndon
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Lyndon. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyndon
      • Lyndon is located in Whiteside County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 604 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lyndon <1>
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Lyndon
      • From Hitt to Lyndon
    • Fenton
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fenton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fenton
      • Fenton is located in Whiteside County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fenton <1>
    • Fulton
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fulton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fulton
      • Fulton is located in Whiteside County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,285 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fulton <1>
  • Winnebago County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hitt, with the one closest to Hitt listed first.
    • Seward
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Seward have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seward
      • Seward is located in Winnebago County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Seward <1>
    • Pecatonica
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pecatonica have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pecatonica
      • Pecatonica is located in Winnebago County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,065 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pecatonica <1>
    • Alworth
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Clinton County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hitt, with the one closest to Hitt listed first.
    • Elk River Junction
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elk River Junction have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elk River Junction
      • Elk River Junction is located in Clinton County (IA)
    • Clinton
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Andover
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Teeds Grove
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Sixmile
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Camanche
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Bryant
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bryant have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bryant
      • Bryant is located in Clinton County (IA)
    • Tenmile
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • Jackson County (IA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Hitt, with the one closest to Hitt listed first.
    • Sabula
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sabula have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sabula
      • Sabula is located in Jackson County (IA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 545 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sabula <1>
    • Miles
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Miles have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Miles
      • Miles is located in Jackson County (IA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 430 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Miles <1>

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

Cemeteries Near Hitt ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Hitt.

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

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

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>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Hitt had a population of 75 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

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

Newspapers Published in Hitt ...

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 147 newspapers that have been published in the area around Hitt.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Hitt, there are papers which were published within 27 miles [43.5 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Hitt.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin with 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 Hitt:

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

The official website for Carroll County: visitcarrollcountyil.com/

The official website for State of Illinois: https://illinois.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>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>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 Hitt, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<5>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or 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- Hitt) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Hitt. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.9947, Longitude: -89.7359       In this case, the coordinates for Hitt have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025