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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 Wakefield (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 Wakefield. 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.

Wakefield is located in Carroll 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 Carroll County: Oxford (ME), York (ME), Belknap, Coos, Grafton & Strafford.

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

  • Carroll County     (The home county of Wakefield)
  • Belknap County
  • Grafton County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Wakefield, with the one closest to Wakefield listed first.
    • Waterville Valley
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Waterville Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waterville Valley
      • Waterville Valley is located in Grafton County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 242 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Waterville Valley <1>
    • Holderness
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • Merrimack County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Wakefield, with the one closest to Wakefield listed first.
    • Pittsfield
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Loudon Center
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Websters Mill
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Shaker Village
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shaker Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shaker Village
      • Shaker Village is located in Merrimack County
  • Rockingham County
  • Strafford County
  • Cumberland County (ME)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Wakefield, with the one closest to Wakefield listed first.
    • West Baldwin
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Baldwin have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Baldwin
      • West Baldwin is located in Cumberland County (ME)
    • Baldwin
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Baldwin have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baldwin
      • Baldwin is located in Cumberland County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,641 people
    • Steep Falls
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Steep Falls have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Steep Falls
      • Steep Falls is located in Cumberland County (ME)
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Steep Falls <1>
    • Standish
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Standish have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Standish
      • Standish is located in Cumberland County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,197 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Standish <1>
    • Sebago
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sebago have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sebago
      • Sebago is located in Cumberland County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,844 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sebago <1>
    • Sebago Lake
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Sebago Lake. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sebago Lake
      • Sebago Lake is located in Cumberland County (ME)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Sebago Lake
      • From Wakefield to Sebago Lake
    • Gorham
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gorham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gorham
      • Gorham is located in Cumberland County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 17,962 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gorham <1>
    • Frye Island
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Frye Island have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frye Island
      • Frye Island is located in Cumberland County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 13 people
    • South Bridgton
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Newhall
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Newhall. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newhall
      • Newhall is located in Cumberland County (ME)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Newhall
      • From Wakefield to Newhall
    • North Scarborough
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
    • North Gorham
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Oxford County (ME)
  • York County (ME)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Wakefield, with the one closest to Wakefield listed first.
    • Mee Corners
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Stevens Corner
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • West Newfield
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Newfield have been provided by the GNIS.<2> 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
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Acton
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Acton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> 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>
    • Newfield
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Sprague City
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sprague City have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sprague City
      • Sprague City is located in York County (ME)
    • Parsonsfield
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Parsonsfield have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parsonsfield
      • Parsonsfield is located in York County (ME)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,971 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Parsonsfield <1>
    • Shapleigh
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shapleigh have been provided by the GNIS.<2> 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>
    • Ross Corner
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • North Parsonsfield
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • East Parsonsfield
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)

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

Cemeteries Near Wakefield ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Wakefield.

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Wakefield, with the one closest to Wakefield 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.<7>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Wakefield had a population of 100 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Wakefield had a population of 5,122 people.

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

  • East Wakefield
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • Woodman
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
  • North Wakefield
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Wakefield have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Wakefield
    • North Wakefield is located in Carroll County
  • Brookfield
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brookfield have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brookfield
    • Brookfield is located in Carroll County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 688 people
  • West Newfield
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Newfield have been provided by the GNIS.<2> 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>
  • North Shapleigh
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Shapleigh have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Shapleigh
    • North Shapleigh is located in York County (ME)
  • Maplewood
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maplewood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maplewood
    • Maplewood is located in York County (ME)
  • South Effingham
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • North Wolfeboro
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
  • Acton
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Acton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> 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>
  • South Parsonsfield
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Parsonsfield have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Parsonsfield
    • South Parsonsfield is located in York County (ME)
  • Ossipee
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ossipee have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ossipee
    • Ossipee is located in Carroll County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,383 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ossipee <1>
  • Continue List   (17 more) ...
    • Union
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Union have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union
      • Union is located in Carroll County
    • Milton Mills
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Milton Mills have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Milton Mills
      • Milton Mills is located in Strafford County
    • Center Effingham
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Center Effingham have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Center Effingham
      • Center Effingham is located in Carroll County

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

Newspapers Published in Wakefield ...

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 29 newspapers that have been published in the area around Wakefield.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Wakefield, there are papers which were published within 17 miles [27.4 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Wakefield.

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 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 Wakefield:

The official website for Wakefield: www.wakefieldnh.com/

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>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>If we found a location and have questions about the accuracy of our information, we will simply say that the marker is 'in the vicinity'. We are not confident about the location and the position of our marker is only a rough guide. If we have too many doubts about the location, we will not include it in our database.
<6>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- Wakefield) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Wakefield. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 43.6140, Longitude: -71.0058    
<7>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 Wakefield, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025