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 Allen (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 Allen. 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 northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most 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.
Allen is located in Hillsdale County.
To see how the shape of Michigan's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Hillsdale County: Steuben (IN), Branch, Calhoun, Jackson, Lenawee, Fulton (OH) & Williams (OH).
Below are the counties that are near Allen. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Allen:
- Hillsdale County (The home county of Allen)
- The following are listed by their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Jonesville
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Litchfield
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Hillsdale
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Mosherville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Mosherville is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mosherville
- Reading
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Steamburg
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Steamburg is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Steamburg
- North Adams
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- North Adams is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Adams
- Population from the 2020 Census: 461 people
- Montgomery
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Montgomery is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montgomery
- Population from the 2020 Census: 329 people
- Osseo
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
- Moscow
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Moscow is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moscow
- Camden
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Frontier
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
- Frontier is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frontier
- Branch County
- The following are listed by their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Quincy
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Fisher
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Fisher is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fisher
- Trailtree Village
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Trailtree Village is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trailtree Village
- Coldwater
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Girard
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Girard is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Girard
- Ray
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Canada Shores
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Canada Shores is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Canada Shores
- Hodunk
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Hodunk is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hodunk
- Batavia
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
- Batavia is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Batavia
- Hatmaker
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Hatmaker is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hatmaker
- Union City
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Matteson
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Matteson is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Matteson
- Calhoun County
- The following are listed by their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Homer
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
- Tekonsha
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
- Burlington
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Burlington is located in Calhoun County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burlington
- Population from the 2020 Census: 277 people
- Albion
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Marengo
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Marengo is located in Calhoun County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marengo
- Marshall
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Athens
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Rice Creek
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Rice Creek is located in Calhoun County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rice Creek
- Ceresco
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Ceresco is located in Calhoun County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ceresco
- East Leroy
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- East Leroy is located in Calhoun County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Leroy
- Joppa
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Joppa is located in Calhoun County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joppa
- Beadle Lake
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Beadle Lake is located in Calhoun County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beadle Lake
- Jackson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Hanover
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Concord
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
- Horton
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- Spring Arbor
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Liberty
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Liberty is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty
- Parma
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- South Jackson
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- South Jackson is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Jackson
- Clarklake
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Sandstone
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Sandstone is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandstone
- Devereaux
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Devereaux is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Devereaux
- Vandercook Lake
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Vandercook Lake is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vandercook Lake
- Woodville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Woodville is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodville
- Lenawee County
- The following are listed by their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Addison
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Addison Junction
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Addison Junction is located in Lenawee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Addison Junction
- Hudson
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Cement City
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Manitou Beach
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Rollin
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Rollin is located in Lenawee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rollin
- Devils Lake
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Devils Lake is located in Lenawee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Devils Lake
- Manitou Beach - Devils Lake
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Cambridge Junction
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Cambridge Junction is located in Lenawee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cambridge Junction
- Clayton
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Clayton is located in Lenawee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clayton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 328 people
- Munson
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Munson is located in Lenawee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Munson
- Canandaigua
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Canandaigua is located in Lenawee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Canandaigua
- Saint Joseph County
- The following are listed by their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Colon
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Colon is located in Saint Joseph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colon
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,155 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Colon <1>
- Factoryville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Factoryville is located in Saint Joseph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Factoryville
- Burr Oak
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Fairfax
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Fairfax is located in Saint Joseph County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairfax
- Leonidas
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- LaGrange County (IN)
- Greenfield Mills
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Greenfield Mills is located in LaGrange County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenfield Mills
- Steuben County (IN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Clear Lake
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Clear Lake is located in Steuben County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clear Lake
- Population from the 2020 Census: 346 people
- Ray
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Ray is located in Steuben County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ray
- Fremont
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
- York
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- York is located in Steuben County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for York
- Jamestown
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Jamestown is located in Steuben County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jamestown
- Angola
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Alvarado
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Alvarado is located in Steuben County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alvarado
- Orland
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Russels Point
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Russels Point is located in Steuben County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Russels Point
- Pleasant Lake
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Pleasant Lake is located in Steuben County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Lake
- Hamilton
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
- Hamilton is located in Steuben County (IN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamilton
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,595 people
- Fulton County (OH)
- Fayette
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Williams County (OH)
- The following are listed by their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Northwest
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Northwest is located in Williams County (OH)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Northwest
- Cooney
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Cooney is located in Williams County (OH)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cooney
- Ainger
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Ainger is located in Williams County (OH)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ainger
- Columbia
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Columbia is located in Williams County (OH)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Columbia
- Pioneer
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Jim Town
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Jim Town is located in Williams County (OH)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jim Town
- Alvordton
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Holiday City
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Holiday City is located in Williams County (OH)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holiday City
- Population from the 2020 Census: 47 people
- Kunkle
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Kunkle is located in Williams County (OH)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kunkle
- Edon
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Edon is located in Williams County (OH)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edon
- Population from the 2020 Census: 807 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Edon <1>
- Montpelier
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Blakeslee
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Allen, see our County-by-County Page for Allen.
Cemeteries Near Allen ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Allen.
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 Allen - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Allen covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Allen Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the east)
- Sand Creek Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the north)
- Dorris Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
- Layton Grave
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
- South Allen Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Todd Town Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
- Sand Lake Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Lake Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- North Reading Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Bankers Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- West Bacon Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Mt. Hope Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Continue List (357 more) ...
- Litchfield Village Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Shooks Prairie Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Lake View Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake View Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the Lake View Cemetery is a large cemetery that is located outside and to the southwest of Quincy.
- The Lake View Cemetery has also been known as:
- Lakeview Cemetery
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #877 <2>
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>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Allen had a population of 675 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Allen had a population of 192 people.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Allen, with the one closest to Allen listed first.
- Bankers
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Bankers is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bankers
- Jonesville
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Litchfield
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Quincy
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Hillsdale
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- South Butler
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- South Butler is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Butler
- Reading
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Butler
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Butler is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Butler
- Algansee
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Algansee is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Algansee
- Cambria
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Cambria is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cambria
- California
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- California is located in Branch County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for California
- Montgomery
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Montgomery is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montgomery
- Population from the 2020 Census: 329 people
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Clarendon
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Clarendon is located in Calhoun County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clarendon
- Osseo
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
- North Adams
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- North Adams is located in Hillsdale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Adams
- Population from the 2020 Census: 461 people
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Allen. See our List of 1890's Communities around Allen.
Newspapers Published in Allen ...
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 40 newspapers that have been published in the area around Allen.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Allen, there are papers which were published within 28 miles [45.1 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Allen.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These 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 Allen:
- Websites specific to Michigan
- Pages specific to Hillsdale County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Branch County
- Calhoun County
- Jackson County
- Lenawee County
- Saint Joseph County
- LaGrange County
- Steuben County
- Fulton County
- Williams County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Michigan
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 Allen, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Allen) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |