RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Kentucky >> Harlan County >> Putney >> Genealogy HelperIndex...

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 Putney (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 Putney. 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 northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the west. 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 west 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.

Putney is located in Harlan 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 Harlan County: Bell, Leslie, Letcher, Perry, Lee (VA) & Wise (VA).

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

  • Harlan County     (The home county of Putney)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Bailey Creek
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Bailey Creek is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bailey Creek
    • Ages
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Ages is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ages
    • Verda
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Verda is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Verda
    • Darkmont
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Darkmont is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Darkmont
    • Draper
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Draper is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Draper
    • Evarts
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Rosspoint
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Rosspoint is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosspoint
    • Redbud
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Redbud is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redbud
    • Short Town
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Short Town is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Short Town
    • Coxton
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Coxton is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coxton
    • Big Laurel
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
      • Big Laurel is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Laurel
    • Kenvir
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
      • Kenvir is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kenvir
  • Bell County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Beverly
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Beverly is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beverly
    • Stoney Fork
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Stoney Fork is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stoney Fork
    • Callaway
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Callaway is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Callaway
    • Miracle
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Miracle is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Miracle
    • Kettle Island
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Kettle Island is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kettle Island
    • Rella
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Rella is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rella
    • Sims Fork
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Sims Fork is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sims Fork
    • Varilla
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Varilla is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Varilla
    • Arjay
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Arjay is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arjay
    • Jenson
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Jenson is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jenson
    • Calvin
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Calvin is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calvin
    • Dorton Branch
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Dorton Branch is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dorton Branch
  • Clay County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Ashers Fork
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Ashers Fork is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashers Fork
    • Big Creek
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Big Creek is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Creek
    • Brightshade
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Brightshade is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brightshade
    • Eriline
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Eriline is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eriline
    • Goose Rock
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Goose Rock is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goose Rock
  • Knott County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Sassafras
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
    • Redfox
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Redfox is located in Knott County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redfox
    • Littcarr
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Littcarr is located in Knott County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Littcarr
    • Emmalena
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Emmalena is located in Knott County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emmalena
    • Fisty
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Fisty is located in Knott County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fisty
  • Knox County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Scalf
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Scalf is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scalf
    • Walker
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Walker is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walker
    • Dewitt
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Dewitt is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dewitt
    • Flat Lick
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Flat Lick is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flat Lick
  • Leslie County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Chappell
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Chappell is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chappell
    • Helton
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Helton is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helton
    • Yeaddiss
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Yeaddiss is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yeaddiss
    • Mozelle
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Mozelle is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mozelle
    • Cutshin
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Cutshin is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cutshin
    • Warbranch
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Warbranch is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warbranch
    • Asher
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Asher is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Asher
    • Hoskinston
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Hoskinston is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hoskinston
    • Stinnett
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Stinnett is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stinnett
    • Smilax
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
      • Smilax is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smilax
    • Essie
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Essie is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Essie
    • Wendover
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Letcher County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Gordon
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Gordon is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gordon
    • Hallie
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Linefork
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Linefork is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Linefork
    • Flint
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Flint is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint
    • Partridge
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Partridge is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Partridge
    • Kings Creek
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Kings Creek is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kings Creek
    • Roxana
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Roxana is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roxana
    • Blackey
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Blackey is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackey
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 141 people
    • Hot Spot
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Hot Spot is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hot Spot
      • Hot Spot has also been known as:
      • Hotspot
    • Letcher
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Letcher is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Letcher
    • Uz
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
      • Uz is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Uz
    • Jeremiah
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
  • Perry County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Delphia
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Delphia is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delphia
    • Slemp
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Slemp is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slemp
    • Cornettsville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Cornettsville is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cornettsville
    • Viper
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Viper is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Viper
    • Happy
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Happy is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Happy
    • Jeff
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Acup
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Acup is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Acup
    • Avawam
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Avawam is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avawam
    • Scuddy
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Hazard
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
    • Vicco
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
      • Vicco is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vicco
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 295 people
    • Combs
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Combs is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Combs
  • Hancock County (TN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Willis
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Willis is located in Hancock County (TN)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willis
      • Estimated population in 2014: 387 people
    • Alanthus Hill
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Alanthus Hill is located in Hancock County (TN)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alanthus Hill
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,498 people
    • Sneedville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • Kyles Ford
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Duck Creek
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Duck Creek is located in Hancock County (TN)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duck Creek
    • Trent Valley
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Trent Valley is located in Hancock County (TN)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trent Valley
      • Estimated population in 2014: 4,157 people
    • Xenophon
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Xenophon is located in Hancock County (TN)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Xenophon
  • Hawkins County (TN)
    • Eidson
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Eidson is located in Hawkins County (TN)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eidson
  • Lee County (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Saint Charles
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Saint Charles is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Charles
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 109 people
    • Hubbard Springs
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Hubbard Springs is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hubbard Springs
    • Fleenortown
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Fleenortown is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fleenortown
    • Pennington Gap
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Pennington Gap is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pennington Gap
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,708 people
    • Ely
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Ely is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ely
    • Jonesville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Rawhide
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Rawhide is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rawhide
    • Dryden
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Dryden is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dryden
    • Rose Hill
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Darnell Town
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Darnell Town is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Darnell Town
    • Keokee
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Keokee is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keokee
    • Van
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Van is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Van
  • Scott County (VA)
    • Duffield
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Wise County (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Putney, with the one closest to Putney listed first.
    • Exeter
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Exeter is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Exeter
    • Osaka
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Osaka is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Osaka
    • Appalachia
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
    • Big Stone Gap
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • East Stone Gap
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • East Stone Gap is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Stone Gap
    • Kent Junction
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Kent Junction is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kent Junction
    • Blackwood
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Blackwood is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackwood

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

Cemeteries Near Putney ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Putney.

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 Putney - one of the links might be able to help.

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Putney covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • Sergent Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
  • Howard Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Wilder Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Gabes Branch Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Middleton Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Evarts Memorial Gardens
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Kelly Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Nolan Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
  • Camp Branch Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
  • Holbrook Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • Jones Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Turner Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
  • Continue List   (681 more) ...
    • Rainbow Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Burkhart Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Middleton Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Middleton Cemetery
      • The Middleton Cemetery has also been known as:
      • George Middleton Cemetery
      • Pounding Mill Cemetery
      • Tomlinson Cemetery
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #2541074 <2>

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 Putney in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Putney.

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

  • Evarts
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Baxter
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Harlan
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Helton
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Helton is located in Leslie County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helton
  • Wallins Creek
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Wallins Creek is located in Harlan County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wallins Creek
    • Estimated population in 2016: 146 people
  • Hubbard Springs
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
    • Hubbard Springs is located in Lee County (VA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hubbard Springs
  • Cutshin
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Cutshin is located in Leslie County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cutshin
  • Creech
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Creech is located in Harlan County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creech
  • Hagan
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Hagan is located in Lee County (VA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hagan
  • Hoskinston
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Hoskinston is located in Leslie County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hoskinston
  • Jonesville
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Ely
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Ely is located in Lee County (VA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ely
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Rose Hill
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Boons Path
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Boons Path is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boons Path
    • Dryden
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Dryden is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dryden

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

Newspapers Published in Putney ...

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 Putney.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Putney, there are papers which were published within 16 miles [25.7 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Putney.

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 websites either 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 Putney:

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 Putney, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a '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- Putney) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.