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 Mitchell (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 Mitchell. 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 southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors and hospitals were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.
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 south 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.
Mitchell is located in Franklin 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 Franklin County: Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Saline & Williamson.
Below are the counties that are near Mitchell. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Mitchell:
- Franklin County (The home county of Mitchell)
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Zeigler
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Cambon
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Cambon is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cambon
- Plumfield
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Plumfield is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plumfield
- Orient
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Christopher
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Buckner
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Royalton
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Coello
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- North City
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- North City is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 566 people
- Mulkeytown
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- West Frankfort
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- West Frankfort is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Frankfort
- Population from the 2020 Census: 7,733 people
- Valier
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- West City
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- West City is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 626 people
- Hamilton County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Macedonia
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Flint
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Flint is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint
- Walpole
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Walpole is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walpole
- Lovilla
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Lovilla is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lovilla
- Dahlgren
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Diamond City
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Diamond City is located in Hamilton County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Diamond City
- Dale
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- McLeansboro
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Jackson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Dowell
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Elkville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Hallidayboro
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Hallidayboro is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hallidayboro
- De Soto
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Carbondale
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Vergennes
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
- Oraville
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Murphysboro
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Makanda
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Ava
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Pomona
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Gorham
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Campbell Hill
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Jefferson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Emerson City
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Emerson City is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emerson City
- Fitzgerrell ‑ Historic
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Fitzgerrell is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fitzgerrell
- Ina
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Ina is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ina
- Population from the 2020 Census: 2,279 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ina <1>
- Nason
(18 miles [29 km] to the north)
- Scheller
(18 miles [29 km] to the north)
- Dareville
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Dareville is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dareville
- Waltonville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Bonnie
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Marcoe
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Marcoe is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marcoe
- Belle Rive
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Opdyke
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Mount Vernon
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Roaches
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Roaches is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roaches
- Johnson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Eagle Point Bay
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Eagle Point Bay is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eagle Point Bay
- Deer Ridge
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Deer Ridge is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deer Ridge
- Egyptian Hills
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Egyptian Hills is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Egyptian Hills
- Goreville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- New Burnside
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Ozark
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Perry County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Du Quoin
(12 miles [19.3 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
(13 miles [20.9 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
- Sunfield
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
- Sunfield is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunfield
- Tamaroa
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Pyatts
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Pyatts is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pyatts
- Pinckneyville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Conant
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Conant is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conant
- Denmark
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Denmark is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Denmark
- Winkle
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Winkle is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Winkle
- Cutler
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Willisville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Saline County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Cornerville
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Cornerville is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cornerville
- Galatia
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Long Branch
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Long Branch is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Branch
- Carrier Mills
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- 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 <1>
- Stonefort
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Raleigh
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Buena Vista
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Buena Vista is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buena Vista
- Ledford
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Ledford is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ledford
- Liberty
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Liberty is located in Saline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty
- Muddy
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Harrisburg
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Union County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Water Valley
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Water Valley is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Water Valley
- Lick Creek
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Lick Creek is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lick Creek
- Alto Pass
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Cobden
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Washington County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Du Bois
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Du Bois is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Du Bois
- Population from the 2020 Census: 189 people
- Radom
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Posen
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Posen is located in Washington County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Posen
- Ashley
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Williamson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Freeman Spur
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- 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>
- Herrin Junction ‑ Historic
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Herrin Junction is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Herrin Junction
- Bush
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Bush is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bush
- Population from the 2020 Census: 263 people
- Stiritz
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Stiritz is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stiritz
- Hurst
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Colp
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- 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>
- Herrin
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Blairsville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Blairsville is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blairsville
- Dewmaine
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Dewmaine is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dewmaine
- Johnston City
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Cambria
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Energy
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Carterville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Mitchell, see our County-by-County Page for Mitchell.
Cemeteries Near Mitchell ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Mitchell.
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 Mitchell - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Mitchell covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Zeigler Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
- Dawson Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- St. Andrews Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Rose Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Butler Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
- Vaughn Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Browning Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Miners Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Miners Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- St. Aloysius Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- St. Marys Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Wells Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wells Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the Wells Cemetery is located outside and to the northeast of Royalton.
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #108783 <2>
- Continue List (491 more) ...
- Harrison Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Freeman Spur Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Denning Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 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.<3>
While we didn't find Mitchell in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Mitchell.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Mitchell, with the one closest to Mitchell listed first.
- Plumfield
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Plumfield is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plumfield
- Christopher
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Buckner
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Mulkeytown
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Frankfort
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Frankfort is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frankfort
- Blairsville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Blairsville is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blairsville
- Benton
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Elkville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Fredonia ‑ Historic
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Fredonia is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fredonia
- Carterville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Crainville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Crainville is located in Williamson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crainville
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,419 people
- Smothersville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Smothersville is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smothersville
- Continue List (16 more) ...
- De Soto
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Parrish
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Parrish is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parrish
- Du Quoin
(12 miles [19.3 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
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Mitchell. See our List of 1890's Communities around Mitchell.
Newspapers Published in Mitchell ...
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 73 newspapers that have been published in the area around Mitchell.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Mitchell, 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 Mitchell.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we like to start 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 Mitchell:
- Websites specific to Illinois
- Pages specific to Franklin County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Hamilton County
- Jackson County
- Jefferson County
- Johnson County
- Perry County
- Saline County
- Union County
- Washington County
- Williamson 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> | 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. |
| <3> | 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 Mitchell, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | 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 from Point A (ie- Mitchell) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |