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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 Swan Harbor (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 Swan Harbor. 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 Swan Harbor ...

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.

For example, a typical abbreviation for Swan Harbor: Swan Hbr. (or less commonly used: Swan Harb. or Swan Hrbr.)

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 doctors and hospitals were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the north.

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

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

Swan Harbor is located in Dorchester 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 Dorchester County: Sussex (DE), Caroline, Somerset, Talbot & Wicomico.

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

  • Dorchester County     (The home county of Swan Harbor)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Golden Hill
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Golden Hill is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Golden Hill
    • Taylors Island
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Fishing Creek
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Lakesville
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Lakesville is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakesville
    • Madison
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Madison is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Madison
    • Andrews
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Andrews is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Andrews
    • Woolford
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Woolford is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woolford
    • Crapo
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Crapo is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crapo
    • Church Creek
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Thomas
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Thomas is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thomas
    • James
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • James is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for James
    • Toddville
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Toddville is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Toddville
    • Wingate
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
  • Anne Arundel County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Fairhaven
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Fairhaven is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairhaven
    • Friendship
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Baywalker Village
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Baywalker Village is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baywalker Village
    • Deale
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Jewell
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jewell is located in Anne Arundel County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jewell
  • Calvert County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Cove Point
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Cove Point is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cove Point
    • Brianwood
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
      • Brianwood is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brianwood
    • Chesapeake Ranch Estates - Drum Point
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Drum Point
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Drum Point is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drum Point
    • Olivet
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Olivet is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olivet
    • Lusby
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Solomons
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Coster
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
      • Coster is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coster
    • Cove View
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
      • Cove View is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cove View
    • Dowell
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Saint Leonard
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Mackall
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Mackall is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mackall
    • Wallville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Wallville is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wallville
  • Caroline County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Preston
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Tanyard
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Tanyard is located in Caroline County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tanyard
    • Bethlehem
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Bethlehem is located in Caroline County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bethlehem
  • Charles County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Benedict
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
    • Hughesville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
    • Independence Village
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Independence Village is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Independence Village
    • Malcolm
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Malcolm is located in Charles County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malcolm
  • Prince George's County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Cedarhaven
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Cedarhaven is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedarhaven
    • Eagle Harbor
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • 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
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Aquasco is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aquasco
    • Westwood
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Westwood is located in Prince George's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westwood
  • Saint Mary's County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Lexington Park
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • California
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • North Town Creek Manor
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
      • North Town Creek Manor is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Town Creek Manor
    • Sotterley
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
      • Sotterley is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sotterley
    • Great Mills
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Callaway
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Saint Marys City
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Hollywood
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Hollywood is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hollywood
    • Dameron
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Dameron is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dameron
    • Gum Landing
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
      • Gum Landing is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gum Landing
    • Drayden
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • Valley Lee
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
      • Valley Lee is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Lee
    • Ridge
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
  • Somerset County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Chance
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
    • Dames Quarter
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Deal Island
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Wenona
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Wenona is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wenona
    • Mount Vernon
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Mount Vernon is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Vernon
    • Monie
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Monie is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monie
    • Oriole
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Oriole is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oriole
    • Champ
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Champ is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Champ
    • Ewell
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
  • Talbot County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Oxford
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Tilghman Island
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Tilghman Island is located in Talbot County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tilghman Island
    • Neavitt
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Neavitt is located in Talbot County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Neavitt
    • Tilghman
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Tilghman is located in Talbot County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tilghman
    • Trappe
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Royal Oak
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Newcomb
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Newcomb is located in Talbot County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newcomb
    • Sherwood
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
    • Bozman
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • Kirkham
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Kirkham is located in Talbot County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kirkham
    • Riverside
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Riverside is located in Talbot County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverside
    • Saint Michaels
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
    • Wittman
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
  • Wicomico County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Bivalve
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
    • Nanticoke
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
      • Nanticoke is located in Wicomico County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nanticoke
    • Jesterville
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Jesterville is located in Wicomico County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jesterville
    • Tyaskin
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • Capitola
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Capitola is located in Wicomico County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Capitola
    • Green Hill Village
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Green Hill Village is located in Wicomico County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Hill Village
    • Mardela Springs
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Mardela Springs is located in Wicomico County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mardela Springs
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 351 people
    • Quantico
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
  • Westmoreland County (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor listed first.
    • Tucker Hill
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Tucker Hill is located in Westmoreland County (VA)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tucker Hill
    • Kinsale
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)

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

Cemeteries Near Swan Harbor ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Swan Harbor.

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 Swan Harbor - one of the links might be able to help.

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Swan Harbor, with the one closest to Swan Harbor 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.<3>

While we didn't find Swan Harbor in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Swan Harbor.

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

  • Golden Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Golden Hill is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Golden Hill
  • Taylors Island
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Fishing Creek
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
  • Cove Point
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Cove Point is located in Calvert County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cove Point
  • Lakesville
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Lakesville is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakesville
  • Drum Point
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Drum Point is located in Calvert County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drum Point
  • Madison
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Madison is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Madison
  • Crapo
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Crapo is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crapo
  • Woolford
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Woolford is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woolford
  • Lusby
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
  • Solomons
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
  • Hoopersville
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Hoopersville is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hoopersville
  • Continue List   (19 more) ...
    • Church Creek
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Saint Leonard
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Sollers
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
      • Sollers is located in Calvert County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sollers

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

Newspapers Published in Swan Harbor ...

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 3 newspapers that have been published in the area around Swan Harbor.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Swan Harbor, there are papers which were published within 12 miles [19.3 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Swan Harbor.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we like to start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These websites either offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Swan Harbor:

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 Swan Harbor, 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- Swan Harbor) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.