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 McKnightstown (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 McKnightstown. 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.
McKnightstown is located in Adams County.
To see how the shape of Pennsylvania's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Adams County: Carroll (MD), Frederick (MD), Cumberland, Franklin & York.
Below are the counties that are near McKnightstown. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to McKnightstown:
- Adams County (The home county of McKnightstown)
- The following are listed by their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Cashtown - McKnightstown
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- McKnightstown Station
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Seven Stars
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Seven Stars is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seven Stars
- Mummasburg
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- Mummasburg is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mummasburg
- Cashtown
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
- Cashtown is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cashtown
- Orrtanna
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Arendtsville
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Goldenville
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Goldenville is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goldenville
- Biglerville
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Trust
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Trust is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trust
- Gettysburg
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Virginia Mills
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Virginia Mills is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Virginia Mills
- Cumberland County
- The following are listed by their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Hunters Run
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Hunters Run is located in Cumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hunters Run
- Lees Cross Roads
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Lees Cross Roads is located in Cumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lees Cross Roads
- Huntsdale
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
- Huntsdale is located in Cumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huntsdale
- Montsera
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
- Montsera is located in Cumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montsera
- Shippensburg
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
- Barnitz
(18 miles [29 km] to the north)
- Barnitz is located in Cumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barnitz
- Big Spring
(18 miles [29 km] to the north)
- Big Spring is located in Cumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Spring
- Mount Holly Springs
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- Craighead
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Craighead is located in Cumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Craighead
- Newville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Boiling Springs
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Bears Crossroads
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Bears Crossroads is located in Cumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bears Crossroads
- Franklin County
- The following are listed by their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Caledonia Park
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Caledonia Park is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caledonia Park
- Mount Union
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
- Mount Union is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Union
- Brownsville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Brownsville is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brownsville
- Monterey
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Monterey is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monterey
- Beartown
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Beartown is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beartown
- Blue Ridge Summit
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
- Fayetteville
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Mont Alto
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Quincy
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- West Fayetteville
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- West Fayetteville is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Fayetteville
- Nunnery
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Nunnery is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nunnery
- Altenwald
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Altenwald is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Altenwald
- York County
- The following are listed by their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Hanover
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Pennville
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Pennville is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pennville
- Uniontown
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
- Uniontown is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Uniontown
- Parkville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Parkville is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parkville
- La Bott
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- La Bott is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for La Bott
- Mount Top
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
- Mount Top is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Top
- Bandanna
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Bandanna is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bandanna
- Spring Grove
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Spring Grove is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Grove
- Population from the 2020 Census: 2,179 people
- Dillsburg
(23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
- Roler
(23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
- Roler is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roler
- Wellsville
(23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
- West Manheim
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- West Manheim is located in York County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Manheim
- Carroll County (MD)
- The following are listed by their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Harney
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
- Harney is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harney
- Keysville
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Keysville is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keysville
- Taneytown
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Crabster ‑ Historic
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
- Crabster is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crabster
- Fairground Village
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Fairground Village is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairground Village
- Bruceville
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Bruceville is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bruceville
- Keymar
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Bark Hill
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Bark Hill is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bark Hill
- Tyrone
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Tyrone is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tyrone
- Union Bridge
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Frizzellburg
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Frizzellburg is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frizzellburg
- Frizzellburg has also been known as:
- Frizels
- Uniontown
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Uniontown is located in Carroll County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Uniontown
- Frederick County (MD)
- The following are listed by their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Emmitsburg
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Sabillasville
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Thurmont
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
- Rocky Ridge
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Jimtown
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Jimtown is located in Frederick County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jimtown
- Catoctin Furnace
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Catoctin Furnace is located in Frederick County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Catoctin Furnace
- Creagerstown
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Creagerstown is located in Frederick County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creagerstown
- Ladiesburg
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Ladiesburg is located in Frederick County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ladiesburg
- New Midway
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- New Midway is located in Frederick County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Midway
- Woodsboro
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Centerville
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Centerville is located in Frederick County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centerville
- Mountaindale
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Mountaindale is located in Frederick County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountaindale
- Washington County (MD)
- The following are listed by their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Highfield - Cascade
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Highfield - Cascade is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Highfield - Cascade
- Pen Mar
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Pen Mar is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pen Mar
- Pen Mar has also been known as:
- Pen Mar Park
- Hill Village
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Hill Village is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hill Village
- Leitersburg
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Leitersburg is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leitersburg
- Smithsburg
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Cavetown
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Cavetown is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cavetown
- Greenvale Village
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Greenvale Village is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenvale Village
- Chewsville
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Chewsville is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chewsville
- Pondsville
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Pondsville is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pondsville
- Paramount - Long Meadow
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Paramount - Long Meadow is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paramount - Long Meadow
- Robinwood
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Robinwood is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Robinwood
- Bridgeport
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Bridgeport is located in Washington County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bridgeport
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to McKnightstown, see our County-by-County Page for McKnightstown.
Cemeteries Near McKnightstown ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of McKnightstown.
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 McKnightstown - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for McKnightstown covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Flohrs Lutheran Church Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the west)
- Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Blacks Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
- Greenmount Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- McClelland Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- St. Josephs Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Biglerville Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Evergreen Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Soldiers National Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Gettysburg National Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Fairfield Union Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Continue List (284 more) ...
- St. Marys Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Strang Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
- Great Conewago Presbyterian Church Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
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.<3>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that McKnightstown had a population of 148 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service.
These communities are listed based on their distance from McKnightstown, with the one closest to McKnightstown listed first.
- Seven Stars
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Seven Stars is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seven Stars
- Orrtanna
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Mummasburg
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- Mummasburg is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mummasburg
- Cashtown
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
- Cashtown is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cashtown
- Arendtsville
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Goldenville
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Goldenville is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goldenville
- Virginia Mills
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Virginia Mills is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Virginia Mills
- Gettysburg
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Biglerville
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Brysonia
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Brysonia is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brysonia
- Trust
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Trust is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trust
- Fairfield
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Continue List (17 more) ...
- Table Rock
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Table Rock is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Table Rock
- Greenmount
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Greenmount is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenmount
- Sedgwick
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Sedgwick is located in Adams County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sedgwick
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around McKnightstown. See our List of 1890's Communities around McKnightstown.
Newspapers Published in McKnightstown ...
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 40 newspapers that have been published in the area around McKnightstown.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of McKnightstown, there are papers which were published within 14 miles [22.5 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for McKnightstown.
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 helpful 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 McKnightstown:
- Websites specific to Pennsylvania
- Pages specific to Adams County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Cumberland County
- Franklin County
- York County
- Carroll County
- Frederick County
- Washington County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Pennsylvania
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 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. |
| <3> | 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 McKnightstown, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | 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 from Point A (ie- McKnightstown) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |