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 Big Oak (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 Big Oak. 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 southwest 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 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.
Big Oak is located in Saint Mary's County.
To see how the shape of Maryland's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Saint Mary's County: Calvert & Charles.
Below are the counties that are near Big Oak. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Big Oak:
- Saint Mary's County (The home county of Big Oak)
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Golden Beach
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- Golden Beach is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Golden Beach
- Mechanicsville
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Charlotte Hall
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Helen
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Helen is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helen
- Summerseat Village
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Summerseat Village is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerseat Village
- Morganza
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Morganza is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morganza
- Loveville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Loveville is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loveville
- Chaptico
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Budds Creek
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Budds Creek is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Budds Creek
- Clements
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Hurry
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
- Hurry is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hurry
- Hollywood
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Hollywood is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hollywood
- Sotterley
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Sotterley is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sotterley
- Anne Arundel County
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Friendship
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Fairhaven
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Fairhaven is located in Anne Arundel County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairhaven
- Jewell
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Jewell is located in Anne Arundel County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jewell
- Pindell
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Pindell is located in Anne Arundel County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pindell
- Baywalker Village
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Baywalker Village is located in Anne Arundel County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baywalker Village
- Tracys Landing
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Deale
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Greenock
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Greenock is located in Anne Arundel County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenock
- Churchton
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Lothian
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Galesville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- West River
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- West River is located in Anne Arundel County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West River
- Harwood
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Calvert County
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Adelina
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Adelina is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Adelina
- Bowens
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Bowens is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowens
- Buena Vista
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Buena Vista is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buena Vista
- Battle ‑ Historic
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Battle is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Battle
- Hellen
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Hellen is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hellen
- Barstow
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Barstow is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barstow
- Mutual Consent
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Mutual Consent is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mutual Consent
- Mutual
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Mutual is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mutual
- Abington Shores
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Abington Shores is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abington Shores
- Calvert Towne
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Calvert Towne is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calvert Towne
- Prince Frederick
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Another Place
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Another Place is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Another Place
- Broomes Island
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Charles County
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Benedict
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Hughesville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Independence Village
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Independence Village is located in Charles County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Independence Village
- Bryantown
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Malcolm
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Malcolm is located in Charles County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malcolm
- Mount Victoria
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Mount Victoria is located in Charles County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Victoria
- Huntington Townhouses
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
- Newburg
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Faulkner
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Saint Charles
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Saint Charles is located in Charles County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Charles
- Rock Point
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
- Rock Point is located in Charles County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Point
- Bel Alton
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- La Plata
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Dorchester County
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Taylors Island
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Thomas
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Thomas is located in Dorchester County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thomas
- James
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- James is located in Dorchester County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for James
- Golden Hill
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Golden Hill is located in Dorchester County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Golden Hill
- Madison
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Madison is located in Dorchester County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Madison
- Fishing Creek
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Hills Point
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Hills Point is located in Dorchester County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hills Point
- Woolford
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Woolford is located in Dorchester County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woolford
- Church Creek
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Lloyds
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Lloyds is located in Dorchester County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lloyds
- Prince George's County
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Cedarhaven
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Cedarhaven is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedarhaven
- Eagle Harbor
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Eagle Harbor is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eagle Harbor
- Population from the 2020 Census: 69 people
- Aquasco
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Aquasco is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aquasco
- Orme
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
- Orme is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orme
- Horsehead
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Horsehead is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Horsehead
- Westwood
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Westwood is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westwood
- Cedarville
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
- Cedarville is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedarville
- North Keys
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- North Keys is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Keys
- Brandywine
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- The Village
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- The Village is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for The Village
- Cheltenham
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Cheltenham is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cheltenham
- Croom
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Croom is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Croom
- Blandford Village
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Blandford Village is located in Prince George's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blandford Village
- Talbot County
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Tilghman Island
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Tilghman Island is located in Talbot County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tilghman Island
- Tilghman
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Tilghman is located in Talbot County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tilghman
- Neavitt
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Neavitt is located in Talbot County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Neavitt
- Sherwood
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Alexandria City (VA)
- Alexandria
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Essex County (VA)
- Layton
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Layton is located in Essex County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Layton
- Fairfax County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Fort Hunt
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Fort Hunt is located in Fairfax County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fort Hunt
- Hybla Valley
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Hybla Valley is located in Fairfax County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hybla Valley
- Mount Vernon
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Belle Haven
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Belle Haven is located in Fairfax County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belle Haven
- Groveton
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Groveton is located in Fairfax County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Groveton
- Huntington
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Huntington is located in Fairfax County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huntington
- Penn Daw Village
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Penn Daw Village is located in Fairfax County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Penn Daw Village
- King George County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Dahlgren
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Hooes
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Hooes is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hooes
- Alden
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Alden is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alden
- Ninde
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Ninde is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ninde
- Hampstead
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Hampstead is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hampstead
- Weedonville
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Weedonville is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weedonville
- Edgehill
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Edgehill is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edgehill
- Shiloh
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Shiloh is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shiloh
- Ambar
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Ambar is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ambar
- Somerset Beach
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Somerset Beach is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Somerset Beach
- Arnolds Corner
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Arnolds Corner is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arnolds Corner
- King George
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Fairview Beach
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Fairview Beach is located in King George County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairview Beach
- Richmond County (VA)
- Newland
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Newland is located in Richmond County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newland
- Westmoreland County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Colonial Beach
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Bryant Town
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Bryant Town is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bryant Town
- Maple Grove
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Maple Grove is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maple Grove
- Monroe Hall
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Monroe Hall is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monroe Hall
- Chiltons
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Chiltons is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chiltons
- Baynesville
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Baynesville is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baynesville
- Hinnom
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Hinnom is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hinnom
- Potomac Mills
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Potomac Mills is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Potomac Mills
- Nash Town
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Nash Town is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nash Town
- Oak Grove
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Machodoc
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Machodoc is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Machodoc
- Montross
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Tucker Hill
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Tucker Hill is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tucker Hill
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Big Oak, see our County-by-County Page for Big Oak.
Cemeteries Near Big Oak ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Big Oak.
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 Big Oak - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Big Oak covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- All Faith Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the west)
- Mt. Zion Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
- St. Joseph's Parish Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Galilee Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Asberry Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Asberry Cemetery
- The Asberry Cemetery has also been known as:
- Asbury Cemetery
- Asbury Methodist Church Cemetery
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #80716 <2>
- St. Mary's Queen of Peace Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Old St. Josephs Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Old Field Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Central Methodist Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Carroll Western UMC Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Christ Church Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Greater Bible Way Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Continue List (214 more) ...
- Christ Church Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- John Wesley Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Brooks Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
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 Big Oak in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Big Oak.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Big Oak, with the one closest to Big Oak listed first.
- Mechanicsville
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Laurel Grove
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
- Laurel Grove is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laurel Grove
- Burch
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Burch is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burch
- Benedict
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Adelina
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Adelina is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Adelina
- Bowens
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Bowens is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowens
- Charlotte Hall
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Oakville
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Oakville is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakville
- Sandgates
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Sandgates is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandgates
- Buena Vista
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Buena Vista is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buena Vista
- Morganza
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Morganza is located in Saint Mary's County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morganza
- Hellen
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Hellen is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hellen
- Continue List (13 more) ...
- Battle ‑ Historic
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Battle is located in Calvert County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Battle
- Hughesville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Chaptico
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Big Oak. See our List of 1890's Communities around Big Oak.
Newspapers Published in Big Oak ...
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 6 newspapers that have been published in the area around Big Oak.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Big Oak, there are papers which were published within 8 miles [12.9 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Big Oak.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer 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 Big Oak:
- Websites specific to Maryland
- Pages specific to Saint Mary's County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Anne Arundel County
- Calvert County
- Charles County
- Dorchester County
- Prince George's County
- Talbot County
- Alexandria City
- Essex County
- Fairfax County
- King George County
- Richmond County
- Westmoreland County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Maryland
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 Big Oak, 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 things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Big Oak) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |