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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 Alton (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 Alton. 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.

Alton is located in Belknap County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Belknap County: Carroll, Grafton, Merrimack & Strafford.

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

  • Belknap County     (The home county of Alton)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Alton Bay
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Spring Haven
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Spring Haven. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Haven
      • Spring Haven is located in Belknap County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Spring Haven
      • From Alton to Spring Haven
    • West Alton
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Lower Gilmanton
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Samoset
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Barnstead
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barnstead have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barnstead
      • Barnstead is located in Belknap County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,777 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Barnstead <1>
    • Gilmanton
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Gilford
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gilford have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilford
      • Gilford is located in Belknap County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,278 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gilford <1>
    • Glendale
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Allens Mills
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Belmont
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Laconia
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
    • Wildwood Village
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wildwood Village have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wildwood Village
      • Wildwood Village is located in Belknap County
  • Carroll County
  • Grafton County
  • Merrimack County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Pittsfield
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Loudon Center
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Websters Mill
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Shaker Village
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shaker Village have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shaker Village
      • Shaker Village is located in Merrimack County
    • Chichester
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Epsom
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Epsom have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Epsom
      • Epsom is located in Merrimack County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,824 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Epsom <1>
    • Gossville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
    • Loudon
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Loudon have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loudon
      • Loudon is located in Merrimack County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,697 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Loudon <1>
    • Horse Corner
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • Northfield
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Northfield have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Northfield
      • Northfield is located in Merrimack County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,979 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Northfield <1>
    • Canterbury
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Boyce
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Boyce. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boyce
      • Boyce is located in Merrimack County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Boyce
      • From Alton to Boyce
    • East Concord
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for East Concord. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Concord
      • East Concord is located in Merrimack County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to East Concord
      • From Alton to East Concord
  • Rockingham County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Northwood Ridge
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
    • Northwood
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Deerfield
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Deerfield have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deerfield
      • Deerfield is located in Rockingham County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,564 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Deerfield <1>
    • James City
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for James City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for James City
      • James City is located in Rockingham County
    • Deerfield Center
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • Nottingham
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Candia
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Candia have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Candia
      • Candia is located in Rockingham County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,959 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Candia <1>
    • East Candia
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
    • Epping
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Raymond
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Raymond have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Raymond
      • Raymond is located in Rockingham County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,573 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Raymond <1>
    • Newmarket
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Strafford County
  • Oxford County (ME)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Porter
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Kezar Falls
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
  • York County (ME)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton listed first.
    • Acton
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Acton have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Acton
      • Acton is located in York County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,636 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Acton <1>
    • Mee Corners
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Stevens Corner
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Lebanon
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lebanon have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lebanon
      • Lebanon is located in York County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 6,435 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lebanon <1>
    • Shapleigh
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shapleigh have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shapleigh
      • Shapleigh is located in York County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,769 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Shapleigh <1>
    • West Newfield
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Newfield have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Newfield
      • West Newfield is located in York County (ME)
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for West Newfield <1>
    • South Effingham
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Springvale
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
    • Sanford
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
    • Newfield
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Ross Corner
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Ross Corner. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ross Corner
      • Ross Corner is located in York County (ME)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Ross Corner
      • From Alton to Ross Corner
    • Sprague City
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sprague City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sprague City
      • Sprague City is located in York County (ME)
    • Berwick
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)

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

Cemeteries Near Alton ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Alton.

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Alton, with the one closest to Alton 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.<5>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Alton had a population of 500 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Alton had a population of 5,364 people.

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

  • Alton Bay
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
  • New Durham
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
  • Gilmanton Ironworks
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gilmanton Ironworks have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilmanton Ironworks
    • Gilmanton Ironworks is located in Belknap County
  • Davis
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Davis. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Davis
    • Davis is located in Strafford County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Davis
    • From Alton to Davis
  • Mount Major
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mount Major have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Major
    • Mount Major is located in Belknap County
  • Middleton
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Middleton have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Middleton
    • Middleton is located in Strafford County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,832 people
  • South Wolfeboro
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
  • Lower Gilmanton
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Center Barnstead
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Center Barnstead have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Center Barnstead
    • Center Barnstead is located in Belknap County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Center Barnstead <1>
  • Farmington
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
  • West Alton
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Spring Haven
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Spring Haven. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Haven
    • Spring Haven is located in Belknap County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Spring Haven
    • From Alton to Spring Haven
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Gilmanton
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Barnstead
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barnstead have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barnstead
      • Barnstead is located in Belknap County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,777 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Barnstead <1>
    • South Barnstead
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Barnstead have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Barnstead
      • South Barnstead is located in Belknap County

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

Newspapers Published in Alton ...

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 65 newspapers that have been published in the area around Alton.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Alton, there are papers which were published within 18 miles [29 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Alton.

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 websites either 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 Alton:

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

The official website for Belknap County: www.belknapcounty.org/

The official website for State of New Hampshire: https://www.nh.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>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.
<3>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.
<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 Alton, 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Alton) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Alton. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 43.4558, Longitude: -71.2204    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025