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 McDowell (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 McDowell. 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 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.
McDowell is located in Floyd 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 Floyd County: Breathitt, Johnson, Knott, Magoffin, Martin & Pike.
Below are the counties that are near McDowell. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to McDowell:
- Floyd County (The home county of McDowell)
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Drift
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Drift is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drift
- Minnie
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Minnie is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minnie
- Wayland
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Wayland is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wayland
- Population from the 2020 Census: 373 people
- Printer
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Printer is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Printer
- Blue Moon
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Blue Moon is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blue Moon
- Hi Hat
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Dema
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Dema is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dema
- Teaberry
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Teaberry is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Teaberry
- Grethel
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Grethel is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grethel
- Eastern
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Eastern is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eastern
- Garrett
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Garrett is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garrett
- Lackey
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Lackey is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lackey
- Beaver
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Beaver is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaver
- Breathitt County
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Hardshell
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Hardshell is located in Breathitt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hardshell
- Rousseau
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Rousseau is located in Breathitt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rousseau
- Bays
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Bays is located in Breathitt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bays
- Clayhole
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Clayhole is located in Breathitt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clayhole
- Johnson County
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- East Point
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Nero
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Nero is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nero
- Van Lear
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Butcher Hollow
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Butcher Hollow is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Butcher Hollow
- West Van Lear
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- West Van Lear is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Van Lear
- Collista
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Collista is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Collista
- Denver
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Denver is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Denver
- Hagerhill
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Hagerhill is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hagerhill
- Meally
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Meally is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meally
- Asa
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Asa is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Asa
- Paintsville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Thelma
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Thelma is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thelma
- Williamsport
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Williamsport is located in Johnson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Williamsport
- Knott County
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Raven
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Raven is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Raven
- Mousie
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Mousie is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mousie
- Kite
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Kite is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kite
- Pippa Passes
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Pippa Passes is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pippa Passes
- Population from the 2020 Census: 606 people
- Garner
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Garner is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garner
- Leburn
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Pine Top
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Pine Top is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pine Top
- Hindman
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
- Vest
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Tina
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Tina is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tina
- Carrie
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- Carrie is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carrie
- Littcarr
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- Littcarr is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Littcarr
- Emmalena
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Emmalena is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emmalena
- Letcher County
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Deane
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
- Deane is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deane
- Hemphill
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Hemphill is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hemphill
- Hemphill has also been known as:
- Jackhorn
- Colson
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
- Colson is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colson
- McRoberts
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
- McRoberts is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McRoberts
- Cromona
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Cromona is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cromona
- Fleming - Neon
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Fleming - Neon is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fleming - Neon
- Population from the 2020 Census: 610 people
- Neon
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Millstone
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Millstone is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millstone
- Seco
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Seco is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seco
- Thornton
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Thornton is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thornton
- Tolliver Town
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Tolliver Town is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tolliver Town
- Whitaker
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Whitaker is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitaker
- Burdine
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Burdine is located in Letcher County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burdine
- Magoffin County
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Gunlock
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Gunlock is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gunlock
- Gapville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- Gapville is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gapville
- Gypsy
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Gypsy is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gypsy
- Marshallville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Marshallville is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marshallville
- Ivyton
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Ivyton is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivyton
- Royalton
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Royalton is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Royalton
- Sublett
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Sublett is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sublett
- Lakeville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Lakeville is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakeville
- Painters Lick
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Painters Lick is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Painters Lick
- Falcon
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Falcon is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Falcon
- Hendricks
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Hendricks is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hendricks
- Salyersville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Wheelersburg
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Wheelersburg is located in Magoffin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wheelersburg
- Martin County
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Debord
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Tomahawk
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Tomahawk is located in Martin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tomahawk
- Pilgrim
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Pilgrim is located in Martin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pilgrim
- Inez
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Perry County
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Hardburly
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Hardburly is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hardburly
- Ary
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Dwarf
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Dwarf is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dwarf
- Tribbey
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Tribbey is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tribbey
- Vicco
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Vicco is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vicco
- Population from the 2020 Census: 295 people
- Acup
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Acup is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Acup
- Bulan
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Bulan is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bulan
- Scuddy
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Happy
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Happy is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Happy
- Stacy
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
- Stacy is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stacy
- Jeff
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Dice
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Dice is located in Perry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dice
- Hazard
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Pike County
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Owsley
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Owsley is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Owsley
- Blair Town
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Blair Town is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blair Town
- Coal Run Village
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Coal Run Village is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coal Run Village
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,494 people
- Mayo Village
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Mayo Village is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mayo Village
- Pikeville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Robinson Creek
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Robinson Creek is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Robinson Creek
- Virgie
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Virgie is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Virgie
- Fords Branch
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Fords Branch is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fords Branch
- Yeager
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Yeager is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yeager
- Jonancy
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
- Jonancy is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jonancy
- Shelbiana
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Shelbiana is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shelbiana
- Myra
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Myra is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Myra
- Dorton
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
- Buchanan County (VA)
- Big Rock
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Big Rock is located in Buchanan County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Rock
- Dickenson County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Clintwood
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Darwin
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Darwin is located in Dickenson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Darwin
- Tarpon
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Tarpon is located in Dickenson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tarpon
- Clinchco
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Haysi
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Haysi is located in Dickenson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haysi
- Population from the 2020 Census: 460 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Haysi <1>
- Omaha
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Omaha is located in Dickenson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Omaha
- Wise County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Almira
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Almira is located in Wise County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Almira
- Haddonfield
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Haddonfield is located in Wise County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haddonfield
- Pound
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Mingo County (WV)
- The following are listed by their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Williamson
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Chattaroy
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Chattaroy is located in Mingo County (WV)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chattaroy
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to McDowell, see our County-by-County Page for McDowell.
Cemeteries Near McDowell ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of McDowell.
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 McDowell - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for McDowell covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Stumbo Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Turner Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Stumbo Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
- Collins Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Bradley Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Hiram Salisbury Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Greenville Salisbury Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Dave Gibson Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Martin Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Patton Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Webb Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Hollybush Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Continue List (620 more) ...
- Lee Alley Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- John Hall Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Osborne Family Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
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>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that McDowell had a population of 150 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.
These communities are listed based on their distance from McDowell, with the one closest to McDowell listed first.
- Minnie
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Minnie is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minnie
- Raven
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Raven is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Raven
- Lackey
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Lackey is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lackey
- Beaver
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Beaver is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaver
- Langley
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Langley is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Langley
- Hueysville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Alphoretta
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Alphoretta is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alphoretta
- Hall
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Hall is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hall
- Coal Run Village
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Coal Run Village is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coal Run Village
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,494 people
- Robinson Creek
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Robinson Creek is located in Pike County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Robinson Creek
- Pikeville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Dwale
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Dwale is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dwale
- Continue List (16 more) ...
- Goodloe
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Goodloe is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goodloe
- Pine Top
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Pine Top is located in Knott County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pine Top
- Dorton
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around McDowell. See our List of 1890's Communities around McDowell.
Newspapers Published in McDowell ...
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 10 newspapers that have been published in the area around McDowell.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of McDowell, there are papers which were published within 11 miles [17.7 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for McDowell.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful 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 McDowell:
- Websites specific to Kentucky
- Pages specific to Floyd County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Breathitt County
- Johnson County
- Knott County
- Letcher County
- Magoffin County
- Martin County
- Perry County
- Pike County
- Buchanan County
- Dickenson County
- Wise County
- Mingo 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 McDowell, 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' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- McDowell) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |