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 Sparta (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 Sparta. 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 southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals and doctors were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.
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 south 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.
Sparta is located in Alleghany County and is the County Seat.
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 Alleghany County: Ashe, Surry, Wilkes & Grayson (VA).
Below are the counties that are near Sparta. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Sparta:
- Alleghany County (The home county of Sparta)
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Glade Valley
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Hooker
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Hooker is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hooker
- Amelia
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Amelia is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amelia
- Ennice
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Piney Creek
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
- Edmonds
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Edmonds is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edmonds
- Roaring Gap
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Laurel Springs
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Scottville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Topia
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Topia is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Topia
- Ashe County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Transou
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Transou is located in Ashe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Transou
- Weavers Ford
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Weavers Ford is located in Ashe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weavers Ford
- Crumpler
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Grassy Creek
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Wagoner
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Wagoner is located in Ashe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wagoner
- Glendale Springs
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- Orion
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- Orion is located in Ashe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orion
- Obids
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Obids is located in Ashe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Obids
- Helton
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Helton is located in Ashe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helton
- Jefferson
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Brandon
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Brandon is located in Ashe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brandon
- Lansing
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Sturgills
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Sturgills is located in Ashe County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sturgills
- Surry County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Devotion
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Devotion is located in Surry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Devotion
- Low Gap
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
- Thurmond
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
- Mountain Park
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Mountain Park is located in Surry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Park
- Round Peak
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Round Peak is located in Surry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Round Peak
- State Road
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Zephyr
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Zephyr is located in Surry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zephyr
- Elkin Valley
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Elkin Valley is located in Surry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elkin Valley
- Mulberry
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Mulberry is located in Surry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mulberry
- Elkin
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Dobson
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Red Brush
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Red Brush is located in Surry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Brush
- Rusk ‑ Historic
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Rusk is located in Surry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rusk
- Watauga County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Stony Fork
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Stony Fork is located in Watauga County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stony Fork
- Deep Gap
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Laxon
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Laxon is located in Watauga County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laxon
- Wilkes County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Abshers
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Abshers is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abshers
- Springfield ‑ Historic
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Springfield is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springfield
- Moxley
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Moxley is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moxley
- Traphill
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Zebra ‑ Historic
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
- Zebra is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zebra
- McGrady
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- McGrady is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McGrady
- Dehart
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Dehart is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dehart
- Lomax
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Lomax is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lomax
- Hays
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
- Mulberry
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Mulberry is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mulberry
- Wilbar
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Wilbar is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilbar
- Fairplains
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Fairplains is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairplains
- Pleasant Hill
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Pleasant Hill is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Hill
- Yadkin County
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Arlington
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Arlington is located in Yadkin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arlington
- Jonesville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Swan Creek
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Swan Creek is located in Yadkin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swan Creek
- Rena
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Rena is located in Yadkin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rena
- Boonville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Cycle
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Cycle is located in Yadkin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cycle
- Marler
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Marler is located in Yadkin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marler
- Carroll County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Pipers Gap
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- Pipers Gap is located in Carroll County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pipers Gap
- Lambsburg
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Drenn
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Drenn is located in Carroll County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drenn
- Oak Grove
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Oak Grove is located in Carroll County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Grove
- Woodlawn
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Sheep Town
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Sheep Town is located in Carroll County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sheep Town
- Cana
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Fancy Gap
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Hillsville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Shorts Creek
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Shorts Creek is located in Carroll County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shorts Creek
- Star
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Star is located in Carroll County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Star
- Galax City (VA)
- Galax
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Grayson County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Independence
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Baywood
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Baywood is located in Grayson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baywood
- Bridle Creek
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Bridle Creek is located in Grayson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bridle Creek
- Low Gap
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Low Gap is located in Grayson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Low Gap
- Mouth-of-Wilson
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
- Elk Creek
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Fries
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Flat Ridge
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Flat Ridge is located in Grayson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flat Ridge
- Rugby
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Rugby is located in Grayson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rugby
- Trout Dale
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Whitetop
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Smyth County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Sugar Grove
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Sugar Grove is located in Smyth County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sugar Grove
- Atkins
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Washington County (VA)
- Green Cove
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- Green Cove is located in Washington County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Cove
- Wythe County (VA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Speedwell
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Speedwell is located in Wythe County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Speedwell
- Rowe Crossroads
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Rowe Crossroads is located in Wythe County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rowe Crossroads
- Ivanhoe
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Crockett
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Austinville
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Rural Retreat
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Siloam
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Siloam is located in Wythe County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Siloam
- Wytheville
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Sparta, see our County-by-County Page for Sparta.
Cemeteries Near Sparta ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Sparta.
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 Sparta - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Sparta covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Sparta Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the east)
- New Haven Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
- Union Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Macedonia Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Laurel Glenn Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Zion Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Shiloh Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Glade Valley Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Pleasant Home Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Antioch Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Elk Creek Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Prathers Creek Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Continue List (544 more) ...
- Cherry Lane Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Cox Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Stamper Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
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.<2>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Sparta had a population of 95 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service. In 2020, Sparta had a population of 1,723 people.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Sparta, with the one closest to Sparta listed first.
- Whitehead
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Whitehead is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitehead
- Edwards Crossroads
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Edwards Crossroads is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edwards Crossroads
- Hooker
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Hooker is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hooker
- Amelia
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Amelia is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amelia
- Peach Bottom
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Peach Bottom is located in Grayson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peach Bottom
- Cherry Lane
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Cherry Lane is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cherry Lane
- Ennice
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Independence
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Furches
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
- Furches is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Furches
- Joynes
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Joynes is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joynes
- Piney Creek
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
- Laurel Springs
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Continue List (14 more) ...
- Springfield ‑ Historic
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
- Springfield is located in Wilkes County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springfield
- Edmonds
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Edmonds is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edmonds
- Bridle Creek
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Bridle Creek is located in Grayson County (VA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bridle Creek
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Sparta. See our List of 1890's Communities around Sparta.
Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Sparta ...
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 26 newspapers that have been published in the area around Sparta.
We have organized these newspapers into two lists:
- A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Sparta. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Sparta and those printed in the larger area surrounding Sparta.
- An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 20 miles [32.2 km]<3> of Sparta.
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 Sparta:
- Websites specific to North Carolina
- Pages specific to Alleghany County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Ashe County
- Surry County
- Watauga County
- Wilkes County
- Yadkin County
- Carroll County
- Galax City
- Grayson County
- Smyth County
- Washington County
- Wythe County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for North Carolina
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> | 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 Sparta, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <3> | 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- Sparta) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |