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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 Franklin (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 Franklin. 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.

A Few Details for Franklin ...

While it's still very early in our research, we found that:

  • Franklin was settled in 1660.
  • It was incorporated in 1778.

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 southwest 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 south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the west contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Franklin is located in Norfolk 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 Norfolk County: Bristol, Middlesex, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester & Providence (RI).

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

  • Norfolk County     (The home county of Franklin)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • Acorn Terrace
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Wrentham
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Medway
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Sheldonville
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Bellingham
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Norfolk
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Rockville
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Rockville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockville
      • Rockville is located in Norfolk County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Rockville
      • From Franklin to Rockville
    • Burnt Swamp Corner
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Pondville
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Pondville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pondville
      • Pondville is located in Norfolk County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Pondville
      • From Franklin to Pondville
    • Millis
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Millis have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millis
      • Millis is located in Norfolk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 8,519 people
    • Plainville
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Plainville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plainville
      • Plainville is located in Norfolk County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 9,280 people
    • Foxborough
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • North Foxboro
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
  • Bristol County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • North Attleboro
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Attleboro have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Attleboro
      • North Attleboro is located in Bristol County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 29,470 people
    • Attleboro Falls
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Attleboro Falls have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Attleboro Falls
      • Attleboro Falls is located in Bristol County
    • Mansfield
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Attleborough City
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Attleborough City have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Attleborough City
      • Attleborough City is located in Bristol County
    • Attleboro
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • East Mansfield
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Chartley
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chartley have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chartley
      • Chartley is located in Bristol County
    • Norton
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Furnace Village
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Furnace Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Furnace Village
      • Furnace Village is located in Bristol County
    • North Seekonk
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Seekonk have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Seekonk
      • North Seekonk is located in Bristol County
    • Briggs Corner
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Easton Center
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
    • Easton
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Easton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Easton
      • Easton is located in Bristol County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 25,116 people
  • Middlesex County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • Metcalf
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • East Holliston
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Holliston
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Sherborn
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Hayden Row
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Hayden Row. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hayden Row
      • Hayden Row is located in Middlesex County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Hayden Row
      • From Franklin to Hayden Row
    • Hopkinton
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Ashland
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Framingham
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Natick
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Woodville
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodville
      • Woodville is located in Middlesex County
    • North Natick
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
    • Cochituate
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Cochituate. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cochituate
      • Cochituate is located in Middlesex County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Cochituate
      • From Franklin to Cochituate
    • Saxonville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
  • Plymouth County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • Brockton
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
    • Cochesett
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Cochesett. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cochesett
      • Cochesett is located in Plymouth County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Cochesett
      • From Franklin to Cochesett
    • Montello
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
    • West Bridgewater
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Bridgewater have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Bridgewater
      • West Bridgewater is located in Plymouth County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,310 people
    • Bridgewater
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • East Bridgewater
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • Abington
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
    • Elmwood
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elmwood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elmwood
      • Elmwood is located in Plymouth County
    • North Abington
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
    • Whitman
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Whitman have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitman
      • Whitman is located in Plymouth County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 15,295 people
    • Paper Mill Village
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Paper Mill Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paper Mill Village
      • Paper Mill Village is located in Plymouth County
    • Rockland
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rockland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockland
      • Rockland is located in Plymouth County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 17,992 people
    • Hanson
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
  • Suffolk County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • Readville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Readville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Readville
      • Readville is located in Suffolk County
    • Stonybrook Village
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stonybrook Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stonybrook Village
      • Stonybrook Village is located in Suffolk County
    • Hyde Park
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • West Roxbury
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Roslindale
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Mattapan Station
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Mattapan
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Jamaica Plain
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Ashmont
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Ashmont. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashmont
      • Ashmont is located in Suffolk County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Ashmont
      • From Franklin to Ashmont
    • Brighton
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Dorchester
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Roxbury
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Allston
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Allston have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allston
      • Allston is located in Suffolk County
  • Worcester County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • South Milford
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • East Blackstone
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Millerville
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Hopedale
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hopedale have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hopedale
      • Hopedale is located in Worcester County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,934 people
    • Milford
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Mendon
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • White City
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for White City have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White City
      • White City is located in Worcester County
    • Blackstone
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Blackstone have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackstone
      • Blackstone is located in Worcester County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 9,209 people
    • Millville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Millville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millville
      • Millville is located in Worcester County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,236 people
    • Upton
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Upton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Upton
      • Upton is located in Worcester County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 8,088 people
    • Uxbridge
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Uxbridge have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Uxbridge
      • Uxbridge is located in Worcester County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 14,352 people
    • Linwood
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Linwood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Linwood
      • Linwood is located in Worcester County
    • North Uxbridge
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
  • Windham County (CT)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • East Thompson
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Thompson
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Thompson have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thompson
      • Thompson is located in Windham County (CT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 9,371 people
    • Thompson
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Thompson have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thompson
      • Thompson is located in Windham County (CT)
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Thompson <3>
    • East Killingly
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Grosvenor Dale
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • North Grosvenor Dale
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Ballouville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Putnam Heights
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Putnam
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Putnam have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Putnam
      • Putnam is located in Windham County (CT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 9,372 people
    • Mechanicsville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
    • West Thompson
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
    • Killingly
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Killingly have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Killingly
      • Killingly is located in Windham County (CT)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 17,305 people
    • Fabyan
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
  • Bristol County (RI)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • Annawomscutt
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
    • Barrington
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barrington have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barrington
      • Barrington is located in Bristol County (RI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 16,015 people
    • Barrington
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Warren
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Warren have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warren
      • Warren is located in Bristol County (RI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,469 people
    • Bristol
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bristol have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bristol
      • Bristol is located in Bristol County (RI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 21,866 people
    • Coggeshall
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • Bristol
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
  • Kent County (RI)
  • Providence County (RI)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin listed first.
    • Burnt Swamp Corner
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Arnold Mills
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Hamlet
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Hamlet. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamlet
      • Hamlet is located in Providence County (RI)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Hamlet
      • From Franklin to Hamlet
    • Cumberland
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cumberland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cumberland
      • Cumberland is located in Providence County (RI)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 35,207 people
    • Cumberland
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cumberland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cumberland
      • Cumberland is located in Providence County (RI)
    • Cumberland Hill
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Woonsocket
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Albion
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Branch Village
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Union Village
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Union Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union Village
      • Union Village is located in Providence County (RI)
    • Berkeley
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Slatersville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Lime Rock
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)

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

Cemeteries Near Franklin ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Franklin.

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 Franklin covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Franklin, with the one closest to Franklin 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 Franklin had a population of 4,831 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Franklin had a population of 34,711 people.

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

  • Unionville
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Unionville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Unionville
    • Unionville is located in Norfolk County
  • City Mills
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for City Mills have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for City Mills
    • City Mills is located in Norfolk County
  • Sheldonville
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Wrentham
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
  • Medway
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
  • North Bellingham
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Bellingham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Bellingham
    • North Bellingham is located in Norfolk County
  • Bellingham
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • South Bellingham
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Bellingham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Bellingham
    • South Bellingham is located in Norfolk County
  • West Wrentham
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Wrentham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Wrentham
    • West Wrentham is located in Norfolk County
  • Norfolk
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
  • Rockville
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Rockville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockville
    • Rockville is located in Norfolk County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Rockville
    • From Franklin to Rockville
  • Caryville
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Caryville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caryville
    • Caryville is located in Norfolk County
  • Continue List   (20 more) ...
    • Pondville
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Pondville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pondville
      • Pondville is located in Norfolk County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Pondville
      • From Franklin to Pondville
    • Highland Lake
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Highland Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Highland Lake
      • Highland Lake is located in Norfolk County
    • South Milford
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Franklin ...

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 77 newspapers that have been published in the area around Franklin.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Franklin. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Franklin and those printed in the larger area surrounding Franklin.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 12 miles [19.3 km]<7> of Franklin.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we start with 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 Franklin:

The official website for Franklin: www.franklin.ma.us/

The official website for Norfolk County: www.norfolkcounty.org/

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

Footnotes ...

<1>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.
<2>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.
<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 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.

<5>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.
<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 Franklin, 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 from Point A (ie- Franklin) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Franklin. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.0854, Longitude: -71.4013    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025