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 Hecla (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 Hecla. 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 southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the east. 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 east 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.
Hecla is located in Hopkins County.
To see how the shape of Kentucky's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Hopkins County: Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, McLean, Muhlenberg & Webster.
Below are the counties that are near Hecla. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Hecla:
- Hopkins County (The home county of Hecla)
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Earlington
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Madisonville
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Richland
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Richland is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Richland
- Mortons Gap
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Manitou
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Manitou is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manitou
- Saint Charles
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Saint Charles is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Charles
- Population from the 2020 Census: 269 people
- Oak Hill
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Oak Hill is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Hill
- Nortonville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Fiddle Bow
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
- Fiddle Bow is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fiddle Bow
- Charleston
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Charleston is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Charleston
- Hanson
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
- Nebo
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Nebo is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nebo
- Population from the 2020 Census: 225 people
- Caldwell County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Lewistown
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
- Lewistown is located in Caldwell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lewistown
- Claxton
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- Claxton is located in Caldwell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Claxton
- Creswell
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Creswell is located in Caldwell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creswell
- Princeton
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- McGowan
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- McGowan is located in Caldwell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McGowan
- Cobb
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Cobb is located in Caldwell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cobb
- Hopson
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Hopson is located in Caldwell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hopson
- Crider
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
- Crider is located in Caldwell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crider
- Dulaney
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Dulaney is located in Caldwell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dulaney
- Fredonia
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Christian County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Empire
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
- Empire is located in Christian County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Empire
- Crofton
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Bainbridge
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Bainbridge is located in Christian County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bainbridge
- Bluff Spring
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Bluff Spring is located in Christian County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluff Spring
- Fearsville
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Fearsville is located in Christian County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fearsville
- Gracey
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Gracey is located in Christian County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gracey
- Hopkinsville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Crittenden County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Piney Fork
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
- Piney Fork is located in Crittenden County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Piney Fork
- Crayne
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Crayne is located in Crittenden County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crayne
- Marion
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Daviess County
- Saint Joseph
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Saint Joseph is located in Daviess County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Joseph
- Henderson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Robards
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Dixie
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Dixie is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dixie
- Niagara
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Niagara is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Niagara
- Lyon County
- Lamasco
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Lamasco is located in Lyon County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lamasco
- McLean County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Sacramento
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Lemon
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Lemon is located in McLean County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lemon
- Calhoun
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Calhoun is located in McLean County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calhoun
- Population from the 2020 Census: 723 people
- Former names for Calhoun:
- Calhoon
- Fort Vienna
- Vienna Station
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Calhoun <1>
- Rumsey
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Rumsey is located in McLean County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rumsey
- Beech Grove
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Island
(23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
- Livermore
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Elba
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Elba is located in McLean County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elba
- Buel
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Buel is located in McLean County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buel
- Glenville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Glenville is located in McLean County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenville
- Muhlenberg County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Earles
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Earles is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Earles
- Graham
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Graham is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Graham
- Depoy
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Depoy is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Depoy
- Lynn City
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Lynn City is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynn City
- Bremen
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Luzerne
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Luzerne is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Luzerne
- Bancroft
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Bancroft is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bancroft
- Nebo
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Nebo is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nebo
- Greenville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Powderly
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- South Carrollton
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- South Carrollton is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Carrollton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 181 people
- Central City
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Central City is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Central City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 5,692 people
- Former names for Central City:
- Moreheads Horse Mill
- Stroud City
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Central City <1>
- Ohio County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Ceralvo
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Ceralvo is located in Ohio County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ceralvo
- Rockport
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Rockport is located in Ohio County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockport
- Population from the 2020 Census: 263 people
- Centertown
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Centertown is located in Ohio County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centertown
- Population from the 2020 Census: 430 people
- Todd County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Kirkmansville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Kirkmansville is located in Todd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kirkmansville
- Clifty
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Clifty is located in Todd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clifty
- Allegre
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Allegre is located in Todd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allegre
- Trigg County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Cerulean
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Wallonia
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Wallonia is located in Trigg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wallonia
- Union County
- Sullivan
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Sullivan is located in Union County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sullivan
- Webster County
- The following are listed by their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Slaughters
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
- Slaughters is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slaughters
- Population from the 2020 Census: 206 people
- Providence
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
- Vanderburg
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Vanderburg is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vanderburg
- Lisman
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
- Lisman is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lisman
- Dixon
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Dixon is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dixon
- Population from the 2020 Census: 877 people
- Onton
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Onton is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Onton
- Clay
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Free Union
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Free Union is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Free Union
- Sebree
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- West Wheatcroft
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- West Wheatcroft is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Wheatcroft
- Wheatcroft
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Wheatcroft is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wheatcroft
- Population from the 2020 Census: 152 people
- Blackford
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Blackford is located in Webster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackford
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Hecla, see our County-by-County Page for Hecla.
Cemeteries Near Hecla ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Hecla.
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 Hecla - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Hecla covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Calvary Oakwood Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Barnsley Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Grapevine Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
- Southard Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Flat Creek Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Madisonville Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Richland Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Pleasant Grove Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Gamblin Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Tapp Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Wicks Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Fuquay Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Continue List (400 more) ...
- Christian Privilege Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Utterback Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Lake Grove Baptist Church Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
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 Hecla in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Hecla.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Hecla, with the one closest to Hecla listed first.
- Earlington
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Madisonville
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Mortons Gap
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Saint Charles
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Saint Charles is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Charles
- Population from the 2020 Census: 269 people
- Manitou
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Manitou is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manitou
- Ilsley
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Ilsley is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ilsley
- Nortonville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Hanson
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
- Nebo
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Nebo is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nebo
- Population from the 2020 Census: 225 people
- White Plains
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Veazey
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Veazey is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Veazey
- Mannington
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Mannington is located in Christian County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mannington
- Continue List (13 more) ...
- McNary
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- McNary is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McNary
- Earles
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Earles is located in Muhlenberg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Earles
- Dalton
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Dalton is located in Hopkins County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dalton
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Hecla. See our List of 1890's Communities around Hecla.
Newspapers Published in Hecla ...
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 57 newspapers that have been published in the area around Hecla.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Hecla, there are papers which were published within 22 miles [35.4 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Hecla.
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 Hecla:
- Websites specific to Kentucky
- Pages specific to Hopkins County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Caldwell County
- Christian County
- Crittenden County
- Daviess County
- Henderson County
- Lyon County
- McLean County
- Muhlenberg County
- Ohio County
- Todd County
- Trigg County
- Union County
- Webster County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Kentucky
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 Hecla, 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 obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Hecla) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |