RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Michigan >> Hillsdale County >> Somerset Center >> Genealogy HelperIndex...










Learn About
The Commemorative
Quarter for
Michigan

The Commemorative Quarter for Michigan





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 Somerset Center (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 Somerset Center. 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 Somerset Center ...

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.

Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might have occurred.

For example, a typical abbreviation for Somerset Center: Somerset Ctr. (or less commonly used: Somerset Cen., Somerset Cent. or Somerset Cntr.)

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 northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors 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.

Somerset Center is located in Hillsdale County.

To see how the shape of Michigan's counties 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 Somerset Center. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Somerset Center:

  • Hillsdale County     (The home county of Somerset Center)
  • Branch County
  • Calhoun County
  • Eaton County
    • Charlesworth
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Ingham County
  • Jackson County
  • Lenawee County
  • Washtenaw County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Somerset Center, with the one closest to Somerset Center listed first.
    • Sharon Hollow
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Manchester
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Manchester have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manchester
      • Manchester is located in Washtenaw County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,144 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Manchester <1>
    • Rowes Corner
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Bridgewater
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bridgewater have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bridgewater
      • Bridgewater is located in Washtenaw County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bridgewater <1>
    • Chelsea
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chelsea have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chelsea
      • Chelsea is located in Washtenaw County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,377 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Chelsea <1>
  • Steuben County (IN)
    • Clear Lake
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Clear Lake. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clear Lake
      • Clear Lake is located in Steuben County (IN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 346 people
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Clear Lake
      • From Somerset Center to Clear Lake
  • Fulton County (OH)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Somerset Center, with the one closest to Somerset Center listed first.
    • Ritters ‑ Historic
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ritters have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ritters
      • Ritters is located in Fulton County (OH)
    • Fayette
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
    • Powers ‑ Historic
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Powers. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Powers
      • Powers is located in Fulton County (OH)
      • Powers has also been known as:
      • Powers Station
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Powers
      • From Somerset Center to Powers
    • Denson ‑ Historic
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Denson. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Denson
      • Denson is located in Fulton County (OH)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Denson
      • From Somerset Center to Denson
    • Thelma ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Thelma. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thelma
      • Thelma is located in Fulton County (OH)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Thelma
      • From Somerset Center to Thelma
    • Inlet ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Inlet. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Inlet
      • Inlet is located in Fulton County (OH)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Inlet
      • From Somerset Center to Inlet
    • Lyons
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lyons have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyons
      • Lyons is located in Fulton County (OH)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 544 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lyons <1>
    • Oakshade
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Williams County (OH)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Somerset Center, with the one closest to Somerset Center listed first.
    • Alvordton
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
    • Pioneer
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pioneer have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pioneer
      • Pioneer is located in Williams County (OH)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,396 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pioneer <1>
    • Kunkle
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
    • Jim Town
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jim Town have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jim Town
      • Jim Town is located in Williams County (OH)
    • Northwest
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)

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

Cemeteries Near Somerset Center ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Somerset Center.

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Somerset Center, with the one closest to Somerset Center listed first.

  • Somerset Center Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • Gambleville Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gambleville Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gambleville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Gay Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gay Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gay Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Somerset Congregational Church Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
  • Butcher Farm Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Butcher Farm Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Butcher Farm Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Chapman Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Chapman Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Chapman Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Patch Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Patch Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Patch Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Sutfin Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
  • Laurel Hill Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Laurel Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Laurel Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Crego Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Crego Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Crego Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Brooks Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Brooks Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Brooks Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Aldrich Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Aldrich Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Aldrich Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (391 more) ...
    • Pratt Cemetery
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pratt Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pratt Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Cement City Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cement City Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cement City Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • East Liberty Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the East Liberty Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the East Liberty Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.

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.<5>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Somerset Center had a population of 200 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service.

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

  • Somerset
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
  • Jerome
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jerome have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jerome
    • Jerome is located in Hillsdale County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jerome <1>
  • Liberty
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
  • Moscow
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
  • Wheatland
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wheatland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wheatland
    • Wheatland is located in Hillsdale County
  • Addison
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Addison have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Addison
    • Addison is located in Lenawee County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 579 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Addison <1>
  • Addison Junction
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
  • North Adams
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Adams have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Adams
    • North Adams is located in Hillsdale County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 461 people
  • Manitou Beach
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
  • Devils Lake
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
  • South Jackson
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
  • Hanover
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hanover have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hanover
    • Hanover is located in Jackson County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 424 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hanover <1>
  • Continue List   (17 more) ...
    • Horton
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Geneva
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Geneva have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Geneva
      • Geneva is located in Lenawee County
    • Brooklyn
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brooklyn have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooklyn
      • Brooklyn is located in Jackson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,165 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Brooklyn <1>

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

Newspapers Published in Somerset Center ...

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 118 newspapers that have been published in the area around Somerset Center.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Somerset Center, there are papers which were published within 27 miles [43.5 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Somerset Center.

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 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 Somerset Center:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Somerset Center. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Hillsdale County: www.co.hillsdale.mi.us/

The official website for State of Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/

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 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>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.
<4>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.
<5>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 Somerset Center, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<6>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- Somerset Center) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Somerset Center. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.0511, Longitude: -84.4133    









 

Copyright 2025
All Rights Reserved

Thank you for visiting our website.

In closing, please keep in mind that we can not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of the information on this website, so use with care. We encourage you to double-check the information that is critical to you.

If you've found an error or have additional information that you would like to share, please don't hesitate to write: Click here to contact us.

This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025