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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 Ferndale (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 Ferndale. 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 northeast 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 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 east 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.

Ferndale is located in Schuylkill County.

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 Schuylkill County: Berks, Carbon, Columbia, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne & Northumberland.

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

  • Schuylkill County     (The home county of Ferndale)
  • Berks County
  • Carbon County
  • Columbia County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ferndale, with the one closest to Ferndale listed first.
    • Shumans
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Shumans. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shumans
      • Shumans is located in Columbia County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Shumans
      • From Ferndale to Shumans
    • Aristes
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aristes have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aristes
      • Aristes is located in Columbia County
    • Centralia
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Newlin
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Numidia
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Slabtown
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Slabtown have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slabtown
      • Slabtown is located in Columbia County
    • Hetlerville
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Mainville
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mainville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mainville
      • Mainville is located in Columbia County
    • Mifflinville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mifflinville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mifflinville
      • Mifflinville is located in Columbia County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mifflinville <1>
    • Locustdale
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Locustdale have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Locustdale
      • Locustdale is located in Columbia County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Locustdale <1>
    • Queen City
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Queen City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Queen City
      • Queen City is located in Columbia County
    • Almedia
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Dauphin County
  • Lebanon County
    • Murray
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Murray. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Murray
      • Murray is located in Lebanon County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Murray
      • From Ferndale to Murray
  • Lehigh County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ferndale, with the one closest to Ferndale listed first.
    • Jacksonville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Lochland
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Lochland. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lochland
      • Lochland is located in Lehigh County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Lochland
      • From Ferndale to Lochland
    • Stines Corner
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
  • Luzerne County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ferndale, with the one closest to Ferndale listed first.
    • Mountain Grove
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Tomhicken
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Tomhicken. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tomhicken
      • Tomhicken is located in Luzerne County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Tomhicken
      • From Ferndale to Tomhicken
    • Nescopeck
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nescopeck have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nescopeck
      • Nescopeck is located in Luzerne County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,522 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Nescopeck <1>
    • Sybertsville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Harwood
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • East Berwick
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for East Berwick have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Berwick
      • East Berwick is located in Luzerne County
    • Conyngham
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Conyngham have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conyngham
      • Conyngham is located in Luzerne County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,858 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Conyngham <1>
    • Beach Haven
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • West Hazleton
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for West Hazleton. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Hazleton
      • West Hazleton is located in Luzerne County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,318 people
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to West Hazleton
      • From Ferndale to West Hazleton
    • Hazleton
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
    • Harleigh
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Newtown
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Newtown. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newtown
      • Newtown is located in Luzerne County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Newtown
      • From Ferndale to Newtown
  • Lycoming County
  • Montour County
  • Northumberland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Ferndale, with the one closest to Ferndale listed first.
    • Mount Carmel
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mount Carmel have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Carmel
      • Mount Carmel is located in Northumberland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,708 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mount Carmel <1>
    • Dooleyville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Locust Gap
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Natalie
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Bear Gap
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Marshallton
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marshallton have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marshallton
      • Marshallton is located in Northumberland County
    • Elysburg
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elysburg have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elysburg
      • Elysburg is located in Northumberland County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Elysburg <1>
    • Kulpmont
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kulpmont have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kulpmont
      • Kulpmont is located in Northumberland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,735 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Kulpmont <1>
    • Gowen City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gowen City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gowen City
      • Gowen City is located in Northumberland County
    • Marion Heights
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marion Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marion Heights
      • Marion Heights is located in Northumberland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 573 people
    • Shamokin
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Edgewood
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edgewood have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edgewood
      • Edgewood is located in Northumberland County
  • Snyder County

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

Cemeteries Near Ferndale ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Ferndale.

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Ferndale, with the one closest to Ferndale 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.<6>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Ferndale had railroad service and no post office.

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

  • Ringtown
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Raricks
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Raricks have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Raricks
    • Raricks is located in Schuylkill County
  • Krebs
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Krebs. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Krebs
    • Krebs is located in Schuylkill County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Krebs
    • From Ferndale to Krebs
  • Beaver Valley
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Beaver Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaver Valley
    • Beaver Valley is located in Columbia County
  • Raven Run
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Raven Run. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Raven Run
    • Raven Run is located in Schuylkill County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Raven Run
    • From Ferndale to Raven Run
  • Shenandoah
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Brandonville
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
  • Lost Creek
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
  • Gilberton
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gilberton have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilberton
    • Gilberton is located in Schuylkill County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 720 people
  • Maizeville
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Maizeville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maizeville
    • Maizeville is located in Schuylkill County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Maizeville
    • From Ferndale to Maizeville
  • Yatesville
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Yatesville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yatesville
    • Yatesville is located in Schuylkill County
  • Nuremberg
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Gowen
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gowen have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gowen
      • Gowen is located in Luzerne County
    • Shumans
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Shumans. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shumans
      • Shumans is located in Columbia County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Shumans
      • From Ferndale to Shumans
    • Mill Grove
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mill Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mill Grove
      • Mill Grove is located in Columbia County

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

Newspapers Published in Ferndale ...

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 33 newspapers that have been published in the area around Ferndale.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Ferndale, there are papers which were published within 12 miles [19.3 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Ferndale.

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 Ferndale:

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

The official website for Schuylkill County: www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/

The official website for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: https://www.pa.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>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Ferndale) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Ferndale. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 40.8831, Longitude: -76.2432       In this case, the coordinates for Ferndale have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>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 Ferndale, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025