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A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
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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 Potomac (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 Potomac. 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 northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the east. 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 east 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.

Potomac is located in Montgomery 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 Montgomery County: Frederick, Howard, Prince George's, Fairfax (VA) & Loudoun (VA).

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

  • Montgomery County     (The home county of Potomac)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Bradmoor
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Georgetown Village
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
      • Georgetown Village is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Georgetown Village
    • Travilah
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Cabin John
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • English Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
      • English Village is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for English Village
    • Lone Oak
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • North Bethesda
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Halpine Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Halpine Village is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Halpine Village
    • Hungerford Towne
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Hungerford Towne is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hungerford Towne
    • Montrose
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • North Potomac
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • North Potomac is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Potomac
    • Glen Echo
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Landon Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
      • Landon Village is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Landon Village
  • Anne Arundel County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Maryland City
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
      • Maryland City is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maryland City
    • Annapolis Junction
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
    • Jessup
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
    • Geraghty Village
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Geraghty Village is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Geraghty Village
    • Crofton Village Green
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Crofton Village Green is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crofton Village Green
    • Lake Village
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Lake Village is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Village
    • Odenton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
    • Dorsey
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Dorsey is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dorsey
    • Crofton Village
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Crofton Village is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crofton Village
    • Crofton
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Crofton is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crofton
    • Hidden Village
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Hidden Village is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hidden Village
    • Meade Village
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Meade Village is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meade Village
    • Pioneer City
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Pioneer City is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pioneer City
  • Baltimore County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Daniels ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Frederick Village
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Frederick Village is located in Baltimore County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frederick Village
    • Granite
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Orange Grove ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Orange Grove is located in Baltimore County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orange Grove
    • Hollofield
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Carroll County
  • Charles County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Bryans Road
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • South Hampton Village
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • Potomac Heights
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Potomac Heights is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Potomac Heights
    • Riverview Village
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Riverview Village is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverview Village
    • Freedom Village
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Freedom Village is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freedom Village
    • Indian Head
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Pomonkey
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Bennsville
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Bennsville is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bennsville
    • Marbury
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Marbury is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marbury
    • Acton Village
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Acton Village is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Acton Village
    • Mattawoman
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Mattawoman is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mattawoman
  • Frederick County
  • Howard County
  • Prince George's County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Adelphi
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Chillum
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Langley Park
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Brentwood
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • Brentwood is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brentwood
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,439 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Brentwood <1>
    • College Park
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
    • Cottage City
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • Cottage City is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottage City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,355 people
    • Hyattsville Hills
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
    • Hyattsville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
    • Mount Rainier
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
    • North Brentwood
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • North Brentwood is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Brentwood
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 549 people
    • University Park
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • University Park is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for University Park
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,628 people
    • Berwyn Heights
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Berwyn Heights is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berwyn Heights
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,249 people
    • Berwyn
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Berwyn is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berwyn
  • Alexandria City (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Arlandria
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Oakcrest
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Warwick Village
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Warwick Village is located in Alexandria City (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warwick Village
    • Chinquapin Village
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Chinquapin Village is located in Alexandria City (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chinquapin Village
    • Alexandria
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Arlington County (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Williamsburg Village
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Williamsburg Village is located in Arlington County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Williamsburg Village
    • Cherrydale
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Garden City
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Garden City is located in Arlington County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden City
    • Riverwood
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Arlington
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Colonial Village
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Colonial Village is located in Arlington County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colonial Village
    • Lyon Village
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Lyon Village is located in Arlington County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyon Village
    • Brandon Village
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Brandon Village is located in Arlington County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brandon Village
    • Buckingham
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Arlington Village
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Arlington Village is located in Arlington County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arlington Village
  • Fairfax City (VA)
  • Fairfax County (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Great Falls
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Salona Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
      • Salona Village is located in Fairfax County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salona Village
    • Langley
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Kenmore
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Shouse Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
      • Shouse Village is located in Fairfax County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shouse Village
    • Springvale
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Ash Grove
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Ash Grove is located in Fairfax County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ash Grove
    • McLean
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Tysons Corner
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Wolf Trap
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Wolf Trap is located in Fairfax County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wolf Trap
    • Pimmit Hills
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
      • Pimmit Hills is located in Fairfax County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pimmit Hills
    • Dunn Loring
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Idylwood
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Idylwood is located in Fairfax County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Idylwood
  • Falls Church City (VA)
  • Fauquier County (VA)
  • Loudoun County (VA)
  • Manassas City (VA)
  • Manassas Park City (VA)
    • Manassas Park
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Prince William County (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac listed first.
    • Yorkshire Village
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Yorkshire Village is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yorkshire Village
    • Yorkshire
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Yorkshire is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yorkshire
    • Loch Lomond
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Loch Lomond is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loch Lomond
    • Sudley
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Sudley is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sudley
    • Catharpin
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Iron Gate
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Iron Gate is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Iron Gate
    • West Gate
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
      • West Gate is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Gate
    • Lake Ridge
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
    • Buckhall
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
    • Bull Run
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Bull Run is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bull Run
    • Crestwood Village
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
      • Crestwood Village is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crestwood Village
    • Agnewville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Bataan Village
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Bataan Village is located in Prince William County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bataan Village

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

Cemeteries Near Potomac ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Potomac.

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

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Potomac, with the one closest to Potomac 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.<4>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Potomac had a population of 127 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

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

Newspapers Published in Potomac ...

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 33 newspapers that have been published in the area around Potomac.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Potomac, there are papers which were published within 5 miles [8 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Potomac.

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 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 Potomac:

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>The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) has created and maintains a database of historic properties that is called MIHP (for the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties). More information about the MHT and MIHP can be found on their website: mht.maryland.gov.
<4>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 Potomac, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<5>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a '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- Potomac) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.