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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 East Deerfield (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 East Deerfield. 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.

Name Variations for East Deerfield ...

When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.

Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might have occurred.

For example, a typical abbreviation for East Deerfield: E. Deerfield

If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.

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 hospitals and 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.

East Deerfield is located in Franklin County.

To see how the shape of Massachusetts' counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Franklin County: Berkshire, Hampshire, Worcester, Cheshire (NH) & Windham (VT).

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

  • Franklin County     (The home county of East Deerfield)
    • The following are listed by their distance from East Deerfield, with the one closest to East Deerfield listed first.
    • Montague City
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Montague City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montague City
      • Montague City is located in Franklin County
    • Lake Pleasant
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lake Pleasant have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Pleasant
      • Lake Pleasant is located in Franklin County
    • Turners Falls
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Greenfield
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Montague
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Deerfield
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Millers Falls
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Factory Village ‑ Historic
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Factory Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Factory Village
      • Factory Village is located in Franklin County
    • Gill
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gill
      • Gill is located in Franklin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,473 people
    • South Deerfield
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Deerfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Deerfield
      • South Deerfield is located in Franklin County
    • Sunderland
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Moores Corner
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Shelburne
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shelburne have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shelburne
      • Shelburne is located in Franklin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,840 people
  • Berkshire County
    • The following are listed by their distance from East Deerfield, with the one closest to East Deerfield listed first.
    • Drury
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
    • East Windsor
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
    • Florida
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
    • Savoy
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
    • Savoy Center
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • Windsor
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
    • Peru
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Peru have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peru
      • Peru is located in Berkshire County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 833 people
    • Adams
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
    • Arnoldville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
    • Renfrew
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Renfrew. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Renfrew
      • Renfrew is located in Berkshire County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Renfrew
      • From East Deerfield to Renfrew
    • Zylonite
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Zylonite. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zylonite
      • Zylonite is located in Berkshire County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Zylonite
      • From East Deerfield to Zylonite
    • Hinsdale
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hinsdale have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hinsdale
      • Hinsdale is located in Berkshire County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,902 people
    • North Adams
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
  • Hampden County
    • The following are listed by their distance from East Deerfield, with the one closest to East Deerfield listed first.
    • Ludlow City
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ludlow City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ludlow City
      • Ludlow City is located in Hampden County
    • North Chester
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Holyoke
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • Chester Center
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Aldenville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • Montgomery
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Montgomery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montgomery
      • Montgomery is located in Hampden County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 863 people
    • Chicopee
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
    • Indian Orchard
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
    • Ludlow
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ludlow have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ludlow
      • Ludlow is located in Hampden County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 21,101 people
    • Three Rivers
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
    • Thorndike
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Thorndike have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thorndike
      • Thorndike is located in Hampden County
    • Chester
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chester have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chester
      • Chester is located in Hampden County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,365 people
    • Hampton Village
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hampton Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hampton Village
      • Hampton Village is located in Hampden County
  • Hampshire County
    • The following are listed by their distance from East Deerfield, with the one closest to East Deerfield listed first.
    • North Amherst
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • North Hatfield
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • North Hadley
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
    • Amherst Center
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Amherst Center have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amherst Center
      • Amherst Center is located in Hampshire County
    • Amherst
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • East Village
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for East Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Village
      • East Village is located in Hampshire County
    • Hatfield
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hatfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hatfield
      • Hatfield is located in Hampshire County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,243 people
    • West Hatfield
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • West Pelham
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Pelham
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Goshen
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Haydenville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Haydenville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haydenville
      • Haydenville is located in Hampshire County
    • Williamsburg
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
  • Worcester County
    • The following are listed by their distance from East Deerfield, with the one closest to East Deerfield listed first.
    • North Dana ‑ Historic
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Athol
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • Dana ‑ Historic
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Dana. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dana
      • Dana is located in Worcester County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Dana
      • From East Deerfield to Dana
    • Greenwich Village ‑ Historic
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Greenwich ‑ Historic
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Petersham
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
    • Royalston
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
    • Phillipston
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • Brooks Village
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brooks Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooks Village
      • Brooks Village is located in Worcester County
    • Goulding Village
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Goulding Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goulding Village
      • Goulding Village is located in Worcester County
    • Hardwick
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hardwick have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hardwick
      • Hardwick is located in Worcester County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,047 people
    • Baldwinville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • Barre
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
  • Cheshire County (NH)
  • Bennington County (VT)
    • The following are listed by their distance from East Deerfield, with the one closest to East Deerfield listed first.
    • Readsboro
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Readsboro
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Readsboro have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Readsboro
      • Readsboro is located in Bennington County (VT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 720 people
    • Stamford
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Stamford
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stamford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stamford
      • Stamford is located in Bennington County (VT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 809 people
    • Searsburg
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Searsburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Searsburg
      • Searsburg is located in Bennington County (VT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 109 people
  • Windham County (VT)
    • The following are listed by their distance from East Deerfield, with the one closest to East Deerfield listed first.
    • South Vernon
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Vernon
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vernon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vernon
      • Vernon is located in Windham County (VT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,190 people
    • Guilford
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Guilford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Guilford
      • Guilford is located in Windham County (VT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,102 people
    • Halifax
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Halifax
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Halifax have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Halifax
      • Halifax is located in Windham County (VT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 674 people
    • Fairview Village
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fairview Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairview Village
      • Fairview Village is located in Windham County (VT)
    • West Halifax
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
    • Brattleboro
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Ames Hill
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
    • Brattleboro
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brattleboro have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brattleboro
      • Brattleboro is located in Windham County (VT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 11,257 people
    • West Brattleboro
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
    • Jacksonville
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Whitingham
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)

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

Cemeteries Near East Deerfield ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of East Deerfield.

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.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

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

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

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.<6>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, East Deerfield had a post office and railroad service.

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

  • Montague City
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Montague City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montague City
    • Montague City is located in Franklin County
  • Cheapside
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cheapside have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cheapside
    • Cheapside is located in Franklin County
  • Deerfield
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Montague
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
  • Lake Pleasant
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lake Pleasant have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Pleasant
    • Lake Pleasant is located in Franklin County
  • Greenfield
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
  • Millers Falls
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
  • Riverside
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Riverside have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverside
    • Riverside is located in Franklin County
  • West Deerfield
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Deerfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Deerfield
    • West Deerfield is located in Franklin County
  • North Leverett
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Leverett have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Leverett
    • North Leverett is located in Franklin County
  • Northfield Farms
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Northfield Farms have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Northfield Farms
    • Northfield Farms is located in Franklin County
  • Bardwell
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bardwell have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bardwell
    • Bardwell is located in Franklin County
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • South Deerfield
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Deerfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Deerfield
      • South Deerfield is located in Franklin County
    • Sunderland
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Moores Corner
      (6 miles [9.7 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 East Deerfield. See our List of 1890's Communities around East Deerfield.

Newspapers Published in East Deerfield ...

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 36 newspapers that have been published in the area around East Deerfield.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of East Deerfield, there are papers which were published within 16 miles [25.7 km]<7>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for East Deerfield.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit 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 East Deerfield:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for East Deerfield. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for State of Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<2>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<3>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<4>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.
<5>The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has created and maintains a database of historic properties that is called MACRIS (for the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System). More information about the MHC and MACRIS can be found on their website: mhc-macris.net.

When visiting the MACRIS website, you might encounter their page requiring the 'Acceptance of Terms'. With your acceptance, you'll be transfered to the desired page.

<6>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 East Deerfield, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<7>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- East Deerfield) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in East Deerfield. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.5664, Longitude: -72.5653       In this case, the coordinates for East Deerfield have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025