Our Genealogy Helper
Introduction ...
So far, we found very little information about Sonoma. The little that we've found leads us believe that the community is historic.<1>
We've added Sonoma to our Gazetteer with the hope that we can develop more information. If you can help us with Sonoma, please Contact Us.
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 Sonoma (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 Sonoma. 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 and doctors 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.
Although our information shows that the community of Sonoma is historic, it would have been located within present day Haywood 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 Haywood County: Buncombe, Jackson, Madison, Swain, Transylvania, Cocke (TN) & Sevier (TN).
Below are the counties that are near Sonoma. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Sonoma:
- Haywood County (The home county of Sonoma)
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Bethel
(Less than 2 miles to the west)
- Bethel is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bethel
- Lavinia ‑ Historic
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Lavinia is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lavinia
- Clyde
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- West Canton
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- West Canton is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Canton
- Morning Star
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Morning Star is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morning Star
- Canton
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Lake Junaluska
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Cruso
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Cruso is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cruso
- Waynesville
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Hazelwood
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Hazelwood is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hazelwood
- Maggie Valley
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Teague ‑ Historic
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
- Teague is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Teague
- Mount Sterling
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Mount Sterling is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Sterling
- Buncombe County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Glady
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Glady is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glady
- Candler
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Newfound
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
- Newfound is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newfound
- Enka Village
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
- Enka Village is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Enka Village
- Sandymush
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
- Sandymush is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandymush
- Sandymush has also been known as:
- Sandy Mush
- Enka
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Bent Creek
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
- Bent Creek is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bent Creek
- Acton
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Acton is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Acton
- Leicester
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Avery Creek
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Avery Creek is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avery Creek
- Emma
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- Emma is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emma
- West Asheville
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- West Asheville is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Asheville
- Biltmore Forest
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
- Biltmore Forest is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Biltmore Forest
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,431 people
- Henderson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Mills River
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Holly Springs
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Holly Springs is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holly Springs
- Etowah
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Horse Shoe
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
- Fletcher
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Naples
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Naples is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Naples
- Mountain Home
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Sky Village
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Sky Village is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sky Village
- Balfour
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Balfour is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Balfour
- Laurel Park
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Timberland
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Timberland is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Timberland
- Cumberland Village
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Cumberland Village is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cumberland Village
- Pinehurst
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Pinehurst is located in Henderson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pinehurst
- Jackson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Balsam
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Ruby City
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Ruby City is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ruby City
- Argura
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Argura is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Argura
- Addie
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
- Addie is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Addie
- East Laport
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- East Laport is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Laport
- Cullowhee
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Tuckasegee
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Forest Hills
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Forest Hills is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Hills
- Population from the 2020 Census: 376 people
- Forest Hills has also been known as:
- Forest Hills village
- Village of Forest Hills
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Forest Hills <2>
- Webster
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Webster is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Webster
- Population from the 2020 Census: 386 people
- Sylva
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Dillsboro
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Paint Town
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Paint Town is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paint Town
- Greens Creek
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Greens Creek is located in Jackson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greens Creek
- Macon County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Ellijay
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Ellijay is located in Macon County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ellijay
- Leatherman
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Leatherman is located in Macon County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leatherman
- Madison County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Trust
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Trust is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trust
- Spring Creek
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Spring Creek is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Creek
- Lynch ‑ Historic
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Lynch is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynch
- Bluff
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Bluff is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluff
- Marshall
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Rollins
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Rollins is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rollins
- Walnut
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Walnut is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut
- Stackhouse
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Stackhouse is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stackhouse
- Petersburg
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Petersburg is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Petersburg
- Hot Springs
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Mars Hill
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Swain County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Cherokee
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Oconaluftee Indian Village
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Unahala
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Unahala is located in Swain County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Unahala
- Transylvania County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Balsam Grove
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Brevard
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Pisgah Forest
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Penrose
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Seven Springs
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Seven Springs is located in Transylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seven Springs
- Rosman
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- East Fork
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- East Fork is located in Transylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Fork
- Lake Toxaway
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Toxaway Falls ‑ Historic
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Toxaway Falls is located in Transylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Toxaway Falls
- Sapphire
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Cedar Mountain
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Greenville County (SC)
- Caesars Head
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Caesars Head is located in Greenville County (SC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caesars Head
- Pickens County (SC)
- Rocky Bottom
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Rocky Bottom is located in Pickens County (SC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rocky Bottom
- Cocke County (TN)
- The following are listed by their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Tom Town
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Tom Town is located in Cocke County (TN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tom Town
- Hartford
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Naillon ‑ Historic
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Naillon is located in Cocke County (TN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Naillon
- Nough
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Nough is located in Cocke County (TN)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nough
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Sonoma, see our County-by-County Page for Sonoma.
Cemeteries Near Sonoma ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Sonoma.
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 Sonoma - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Sonoma covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Mt. Zion Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Longs Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
- Riverside Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Spring Hill Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- Haynes Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Pleasant Hill Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Quinn Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Smathers Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Smathers Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Patton Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Bon-A-Venture Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Ratcliffe Cove Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Continue List (404 more) ...
- Crawford Memorial Gardens
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Medford Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Reeves Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
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.
Sonoma itself is historic and was described in the Rand McNally Atlas as having a post office and no railroad service.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Sonoma, with the one closest to Sonoma listed first.
- Retreat
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
- Retreat is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Retreat
- Lavinia ‑ Historic
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Lavinia is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lavinia
- Clyde
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Springdale ‑ Historic
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Springdale is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springdale
- Cruso
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Cruso is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cruso
- Waynesville
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Turnpike
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Turnpike is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Turnpike
- Iron Duff
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Iron Duff is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Iron Duff
- Crabtree
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
- Crabtree is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crabtree
- Glady
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Glady is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glady
- Luther
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Luther is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Luther
- Balsam
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Candler
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Cove Creek
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Cove Creek is located in Haywood County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cove Creek
- Newfound
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
- Newfound is located in Buncombe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newfound
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Sonoma. See our List of 1890's Communities around Sonoma.
Newspapers Published in Sonoma ...
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 18 newspapers that have been published in the area around Sonoma.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Sonoma, there are papers which were published within 18 miles [29 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Sonoma.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer 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 Sonoma:
- Websites specific to North Carolina
- Pages specific to Haywood County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Buncombe County
- Henderson County
- Jackson County
- Macon County
- Madison County
- Swain County
- Transylvania County
- Greenville County
- Pickens County
- Cocke County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for North Carolina
Footnotes ...
| <1> | 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 Sonoma, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <2> | While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program. |
| <3> | 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. |
| <4> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Sonoma) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |