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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 Avondale (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 Avondale. 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.

Avondale is located in Rutherford County.

To see how the shape of North Carolina's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Rutherford County: Buncombe, Burke, Cleveland, Henderson, McDowell, Polk, Cherokee (SC) & Spartanburg (SC).

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

  • Rutherford County     (The home county of Avondale)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Caroleen
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Caroleen is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caroleen
    • Henrietta
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Henrietta is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henrietta
    • Six Points
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Six Points is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Six Points
    • Sandy Mush
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Sandy Mush is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandy Mush
    • Ellenboro
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Alexander Mills
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Alexander Mills is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alexander Mills
    • Concord
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
      • Concord is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Concord
    • Harris
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Harris is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harris
    • Bostic
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Forest City
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Holly Springs
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
      • Holly Springs is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holly Springs
    • Shiloh
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Shiloh is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shiloh
  • Burke County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Brindletown
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Brindletown is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brindletown
    • Camp Creek
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Camp Creek is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Camp Creek
    • Ramsey
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Ramsey is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ramsey
    • Shoups Ford
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Shoups Ford is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shoups Ford
    • Rollins ‑ Historic
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Rollins is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rollins
    • Enola
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Enola is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Enola
    • Yellow Gap
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Yellow Gap is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yellow Gap
    • Parkhill
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Parkhill is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parkhill
    • Salem
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Salem is located in Burke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salem
  • Catawba County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Cooksville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Cooksville is located in Catawba County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cooksville
    • Banoak
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Banoak is located in Catawba County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Banoak
  • Cleveland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Cliffside
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Cliffside is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cliffside
    • Byersville ‑ Historic
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Byersville is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Byersville
    • Mooresboro
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
      • Mooresboro is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mooresboro
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 316 people
    • Boiling Springs
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Lattimore
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Lattimore is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lattimore
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 454 people
    • Flint Hill ‑ Historic
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Flint Hill is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint Hill
    • New House
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
      • New House is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New House
    • Sharon
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Sharon is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharon
    • Kingstown
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Kingstown is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kingstown
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 682 people
    • Erwinsville ‑ Historic
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Erwinsville is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Erwinsville
    • Brittain Village
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Brittain Village is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brittain Village
    • Campcall
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Campcall is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Campcall
  • Gaston County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Dellview
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Dellview is located in Gaston County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dellview
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 13 people
    • Cherryville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
    • Perry
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Perry is located in Gaston County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Perry
    • Tryon
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Tryon is located in Gaston County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tryon
    • Bessemer City
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
  • Henderson County
  • Lincoln County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • North Brook ‑ Historic
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • North Brook is located in Lincoln County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Brook
    • Hulls Crossroads
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Hulls Crossroads is located in Lincoln County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hulls Crossroads
    • Laurel Hill
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Laurel Hill is located in Lincoln County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laurel Hill
    • Henry
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Henry is located in Lincoln County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henry
    • Vale
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Crouse
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Crouse is located in Lincoln County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crouse
  • McDowell County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Mountain Home ‑ Historic
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Mountain Home is located in McDowell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Home
    • Vein Mountain
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Vein Mountain is located in McDowell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vein Mountain
    • Sugar Hill
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Sugar Hill is located in McDowell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sugar Hill
    • Patten
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Patten is located in McDowell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Patten
    • Glenwood
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Glenwood is located in McDowell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenwood
    • Providence
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Providence is located in McDowell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Providence
    • West Marion
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • West Marion is located in McDowell County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Marion
  • Polk County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Mill Spring
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Columbus
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
    • Lynn
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Lynn is located in Polk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynn
    • Tryon
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
    • Melrose
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Melrose is located in Polk County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melrose
  • Cherokee County (SC)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Chesnee
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Chesnee is located in Cherokee County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chesnee
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 942 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Chesnee <1>
    • Macedonia
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Macedonia is located in Cherokee County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Macedonia
    • East Gaffney
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • East Gaffney is located in Cherokee County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Gaffney
    • Gaffney
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Gaffney is located in Cherokee County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gaffney
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 12,695 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gaffney <1>
    • Blacksburg
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
    • Kings Creek
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
  • Greenville County (SC)
    • Gowensville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Gowensville is located in Greenville County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gowensville
  • Spartanburg County (SC)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Brooklyn
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Brooklyn is located in Spartanburg County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooklyn
    • Mayo
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Fingerville
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Cowpens
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Cowpens is located in Spartanburg County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cowpens
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,465 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cowpens <1>
    • Boiling Springs
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • Converse
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Clifton
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
    • Zion Hill
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Zion Hill is located in Spartanburg County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zion Hill
    • Valley Falls
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Drayton
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Whitney
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Whitney is located in Spartanburg County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitney
    • Campobello
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Union County (SC)
    • Jonesville
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
  • York County (SC)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale listed first.
    • Smyrna
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Hickory Grove
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Hopewell
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Hopewell is located in York County (SC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hopewell

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

Cemeteries Near Avondale ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Avondale.

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

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Avondale, with the one closest to Avondale 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>

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

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

  • Henrietta
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Henrietta is located in Rutherford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henrietta
  • Byersville ‑ Historic
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Byersville is located in Cleveland County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Byersville
  • Ellenboro
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
  • Bostic
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Forest City
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Boiling Springs
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
  • Lattimore
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Lattimore is located in Cleveland County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lattimore
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 454 people
  • Nicholsville ‑ Historic
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Nicholsville is located in Cleveland County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nicholsville
  • Washburn
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Washburn is located in Rutherford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Washburn
  • Brooklyn
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Brooklyn is located in Spartanburg County (SC)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooklyn
  • New House
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
    • New House is located in Cleveland County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New House
  • Sandy Springs
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Sandy Springs is located in Polk County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandy Springs
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Erwinsville ‑ Historic
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Erwinsville is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Erwinsville
    • Sharon
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Sharon is located in Cleveland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharon
    • Rutherfordton
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)

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

Newspapers Published in Avondale ...

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 57 newspapers that have been published in the area around Avondale.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Avondale, there are papers which were published within 16 miles [25.7 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Avondale.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit 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 Avondale:

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>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- Avondale) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<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 Avondale, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.