RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Pennsylvania >> Erie County >> Erie >> Genealogy HelperIndex...










Learn About
The Commemorative
Quarter for
Pennsylvania

The Commemorative Quarter for Pennsylvania





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 Erie (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 Erie. 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 doctors and hospitals 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.

Erie is located in Erie County and is the County Seat.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Erie County: Chautauqua (NY), Ashtabula (OH), Crawford (OH) & Warren (OH).

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

  • Erie County     (The home county of Erie)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Erie, with the one closest to Erie listed first.
    • Wesleyville
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wesleyville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wesleyville
      • Wesleyville is located in Erie County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,093 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wesleyville <2>
    • Lawrence Park
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lawrence Park have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lawrence Park
      • Lawrence Park is located in Erie County
    • Kearsarge
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kearsarge have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kearsarge
      • Kearsarge is located in Erie County
    • Lakewood
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakewood
      • Lakewood is located in Erie County
    • McKean
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McKean have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McKean
      • McKean is located in Erie County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 366 people
      • McKean has also been known as:
      • Middleboro
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for McKean <2>
    • Hornby
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hornby have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hornby
      • Hornby is located in Erie County
    • Phillipsville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Phillipsville
      • Phillipsville is located in Erie County
    • Avonia
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Avonia have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avonia
      • Avonia is located in Erie County
    • Borough of Fairview
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Borough of Fairview have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Borough of Fairview
      • Borough of Fairview is located in Erie County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Borough of Fairview <2>
    • North East
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North East have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North East
      • North East is located in Erie County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,013 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for North East <2>
    • Waterford
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Francis
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Francis have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Francis
      • Francis is located in Erie County
    • Franklin Center
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
  • Crawford County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Erie, with the one closest to Erie listed first.
    • Crossingville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crossingville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crossingville
      • Crossingville is located in Crawford County
    • Cambridge Springs
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cambridge Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cambridge Springs
      • Cambridge Springs is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,665 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cambridge Springs <2>
    • Brown Hill
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brown Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brown Hill
      • Brown Hill is located in Crawford County
    • Venango
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Venango have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Venango
      • Venango is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 247 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Venango <2>
    • Canadohta Lake
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Canadohta Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Canadohta Lake
      • Canadohta Lake is located in Crawford County
    • Woodcock
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodcock have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodcock
      • Woodcock is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 147 people
    • Lincolnville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lincolnville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lincolnville
      • Lincolnville is located in Crawford County
    • Rootville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rootville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rootville
      • Rootville is located in Crawford County
    • Springboro
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Springboro have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springboro
      • Springboro is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 444 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Springboro <2>
    • Riceville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Riceville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riceville
      • Riceville is located in Crawford County
    • Coons Corners
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coons Corners
      • Coons Corners is located in Crawford County
    • Saegertown
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saegertown have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saegertown
      • Saegertown is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 938 people
    • Spartansburg
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spartansburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spartansburg
      • Spartansburg is located in Crawford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 283 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Spartansburg <2>
  • Warren County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Erie, with the one closest to Erie listed first.
    • Columbus
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Colza
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Colza have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colza
      • Colza is located in Warren County
    • Bear Lake
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
  • Chautauqua County (NY)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Erie, with the one closest to Erie listed first.
    • Findley Lake
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • French Creek
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for French Creek
      • French Creek is located in Chautauqua County (NY)
    • Ripley
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Slab City
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Slab City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slab City
      • Slab City is located in Chautauqua County (NY)
    • Sherman
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sherman
      • Sherman is located in Chautauqua County (NY)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 674 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sherman <2>
    • Forsyth
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forsyth
      • Forsyth is located in Chautauqua County (NY)
    • Stebbins Corners
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stebbins Corners
      • Stebbins Corners is located in Chautauqua County (NY)
    • Westfield
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Westfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westfield
      • Westfield is located in Chautauqua County (NY)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,962 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Westfield <2>
    • Mayville
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mayville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mayville
      • Mayville is located in Chautauqua County (NY)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,565 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mayville <2>
    • Panama
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Panama have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Panama
      • Panama is located in Chautauqua County (NY)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 441 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Panama <2>
  • Ashtabula County (OH)
    • Conneaut
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conneaut
      • Conneaut is located in Ashtabula County (OH)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 12,237 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Conneaut <2>

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Erie ...

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 134 newspapers that have been published in the area around Erie.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Erie. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Erie and those printed in the larger area surrounding Erie.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 26 miles [41.8 km]<3> of Erie.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we like to 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 Erie:

Cemeteries Near Erie ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Erie.

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Erie, with the one closest to Erie listed first.

  • Erie Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the Erie Cemetery is a very large cemetery that is located in Erie.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Erie Cemetery
    • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #44764 <4>
  • St. Nicholas Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Nicholas Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Nicholas Cemetery
  • Lakeside Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lakeside Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lakeside Cemetery
  • Trinity Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • Calvary Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
  • Intergreen Gorge Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Intergreen Gorge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Intergreen Gorge Cemetery
  • Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery
  • Laurel Hill Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Laurel Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Laurel Hill Cemetery
  • Eaoaun Bohoslov Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
  • Jacob Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jacob Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jacob Cemetery
  • Mt. Calvary Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Calvary Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Calvary Cemetery
  • Calvary Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Calvary Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Calvary Cemetery
  • Continue List   (97 more) ...
    • Valley Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • St.s Pauls Evangelical Church Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Ruhl Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ruhl Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ruhl Cemetery

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 Erie had a population of 40,634 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Erie had a population of 95,077 people.

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

  • Dock Junction
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dock Junction have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dock Junction
    • Dock Junction is located in Erie County
  • Kearsarge
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kearsarge have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kearsarge
    • Kearsarge is located in Erie County
  • Belle Valley
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Belle Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belle Valley
    • Belle Valley is located in Erie County
  • Wesleyville
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wesleyville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wesleyville
    • Wesleyville is located in Erie County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,093 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wesleyville <2>
  • Langdon
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Langdon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Langdon
    • Langdon is located in Erie County
  • West Millcreek
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Millcreek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Millcreek
    • West Millcreek is located in Erie County
  • Godard
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Godard have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Godard
    • Godard is located in Erie County
  • Hammett
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hammett have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hammett
    • Hammett is located in Erie County
  • Swanville
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Swanville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swanville
    • Swanville is located in Erie County
  • Jackson
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jackson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jackson
    • Jackson is located in Erie County
  • McKean
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McKean have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McKean
    • McKean is located in Erie County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 366 people
    • McKean has also been known as:
    • Middleboro
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for McKean <2>
  • Moorheadville
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Moorheadville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moorheadville
    • Moorheadville is located in Erie County
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Sterrettania
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sterrettania have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sterrettania
      • Sterrettania is located in Erie County
    • West Greene
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Greene have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Greene
      • West Greene is located in Erie County
    • Moorhead
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Moorhead have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moorhead
      • Moorhead is located in Erie County

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

The official website for Erie: www.cityoferiepa.com/

The official website for Erie County: www.eriecountygov.org/

The official website for State of Pennsylvania: https://www.pa.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>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.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Erie) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Erie. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.1210, Longitude: -80.0797    
<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 Erie, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

Copyright 2024
All Rights Reserved

Thank you for visiting our website.

In closing, please keep in mind that we can not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of the information on this website, so use with care. We encourage you to double-check the information that is critical to you.

If you've found an error or have additional information that you would like to share, please don't hesitate to write: Click here to contact us.

This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024