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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 Rhea (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 Rhea. 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 and hospitals 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.

Rhea 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 Rhea. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Rhea:

  • Harlan County     (The home county of Rhea)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Putney
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Ages
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Ages is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ages
    • Coxton
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Coxton is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coxton
    • Rosspoint
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Rosspoint is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosspoint
    • Bailey Creek
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Bailey Creek is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bailey Creek
    • Draper
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Draper is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Draper
    • Verda
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Verda is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Verda
    • Darkmont
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Darkmont is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Darkmont
    • Evarts
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Big Laurel
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
      • Big Laurel is located in Harlan County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Laurel
    • Baxter
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Harlan
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Bell County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Beverly
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
      • Beverly is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beverly
    • Stoney Fork
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Stoney Fork is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stoney Fork
    • Callaway
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
      • Callaway is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Callaway
    • Miracle
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Miracle is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Miracle
    • Kettle Island
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
      • Kettle Island is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kettle Island
    • Rella
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Rella is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rella
    • Sims Fork
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Sims Fork is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sims Fork
    • Jenson
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Jenson is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jenson
    • Varilla
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Varilla is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Varilla
    • Arjay
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Arjay is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arjay
    • Calvin
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Calvin is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calvin
    • Straight Creek
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Straight Creek is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Straight Creek
  • Clay County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Ashers Fork
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
      • Ashers Fork is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashers Fork
    • Brightshade
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Brightshade is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brightshade
    • 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
    • Eriline
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Eriline is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eriline
    • Goose Rock
      (27 miles [43.5 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 Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Sassafras
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Redfox
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Redfox is located in Knott County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redfox
    • Littcarr
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Littcarr is located in Knott County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Littcarr
  • Knox County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Scalf
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Scalf is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scalf
    • Walker
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Walker is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walker
    • Dewitt
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Dewitt is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dewitt
    • Flat Lick
      (28 miles [45.1 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 Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Helton
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Helton is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helton
    • Chappell
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Chappell is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chappell
    • Mozelle
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Mozelle is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mozelle
    • Yeaddiss
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Yeaddiss is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yeaddiss
    • Warbranch
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
      • Warbranch is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warbranch
    • Cutshin
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Cutshin is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cutshin
    • 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
    • Essie
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Essie is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Essie
    • 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
    • Roark
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Roark is located in Leslie County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roark
  • Letcher County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Gordon
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Gordon is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gordon
    • Linefork
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Linefork is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Linefork
    • Hallie
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Partridge
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Partridge is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Partridge
    • Flint
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Flint is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint
    • Kings Creek
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Kings Creek is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kings Creek
    • Blackey
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Blackey is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackey
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 141 people
    • Roxana
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Roxana is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roxana
    • Letcher
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
      • Letcher is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Letcher
    • Hot Spot
      (24 miles [38.6 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
    • Jeremiah
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Uz
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Uz is located in Letcher County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Uz
  • Perry County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Delphia
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Delphia is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delphia
    • Slemp
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Slemp is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slemp
    • Cornettsville
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Cornettsville is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cornettsville
    • Viper
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Viper is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Viper
    • Avawam
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Avawam is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avawam
    • Happy
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Happy is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Happy
    • Jeff
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Acup
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
      • Acup is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Acup
    • Scuddy
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
    • Hazard
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Vicco
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Vicco is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vicco
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 295 people
    • Combs
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Combs is located in Perry County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Combs
  • Claiborne County (TN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Cumberland Gap
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Shawanee
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Shawanee is located in Claiborne County (TN)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shawanee
  • Hancock County (TN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Alanthus Hill
      (24 miles [38.6 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)
    • Willis
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Willis is located in Hancock County (TN)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willis
      • Estimated population in 2014: 387 people
    • Trent Valley
      (27 miles [43.5 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
    • 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
    • Xenophon
      (28 miles [45.1 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 southeast)
      • 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 Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • 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
    • Saint Charles
      (12 miles [19.3 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
    • Fleenortown
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Fleenortown is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fleenortown
    • Pennington Gap
      (15 miles [24.1 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
    • Rose Hill
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Jonesville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Ely
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Ely is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ely
    • Darnell Town
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Darnell Town is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Darnell Town
    • Keokee
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Keokee is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keokee
    • Rawhide
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Rawhide is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rawhide
    • Dryden
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Dryden is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dryden
    • Ewing
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Scott County (VA)
    • Duffield
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
  • Wise County (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Rhea, with the one closest to Rhea listed first.
    • Exeter
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Exeter is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Exeter
    • Osaka
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Osaka is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Osaka
    • Appalachia
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Big Stone Gap
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • East Stone Gap
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • East Stone Gap is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Stone Gap
    • Kent Junction
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Kent Junction is located in Wise County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kent Junction

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

Cemeteries Near Rhea ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Rhea.

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

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

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

  • Sergent Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • Wilder Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
  • Howard Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
  • Jones Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Holbrook Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
  • Gabes Branch Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Turner Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Evarts Memorial Gardens
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Middleton Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Middleton Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • Nolan Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Rainbow Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Continue List   (678 more) ...
    • Kelly Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Nolan Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Camp Branch Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)

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

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

  • Evarts
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Baxter
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Harlan
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Helton
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Helton is located in Leslie County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helton
  • Wallins Creek
    (10 miles [16.1 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
  • Creech
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Creech is located in Harlan County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creech
  • 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
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Cutshin is located in Leslie County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cutshin
  • Hagan
    (13 miles [20.9 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
  • Rose Hill
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
  • Boons Path
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Boons Path is located in Lee County (VA)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boons Path
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Jonesville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Ely
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Ely is located in Lee County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ely
    • Callaway
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
      • Callaway is located in Bell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Callaway

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

Newspapers Published in Rhea ...

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 4 newspapers that have been published in the area around Rhea.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Rhea, there are papers which were published within 15 miles [24.1 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Rhea.

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 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 Rhea:

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 Rhea, 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Rhea) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.