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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 Mount Zion (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 Mount Zion. 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.

Name Variations for Mount Zion ...

When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.

Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might have occurred.

For example, a typical abbreviation for Mount Zion: Mt. Zion

If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.

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 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.

Mount Zion is located in Lebanon 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 Lebanon County: Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster & Schuylkill.

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

  • Lebanon County     (The home county of Mount Zion)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Mount Zion, with the one closest to Mount Zion listed first.
    • Greble
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Fredericksburg
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fredericksburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fredericksburg
      • Fredericksburg is located in Lebanon County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fredericksburg <2>
    • Avon Heights
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Avon Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avon Heights
      • Avon Heights is located in Lebanon County
    • Avon
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Avon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avon
      • Avon is located in Lebanon County
    • Prescott
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Sand Hill
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sand Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sand Hill
      • Sand Hill is located in Lebanon County
    • Myerstown
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Lebanon
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Cornwall Junction
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Heilmandale
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Pleasant Hill
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pleasant Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Hill
      • Pleasant Hill is located in Lebanon County
    • Bunker Hill
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jonestown
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jonestown have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jonestown
      • Jonestown is located in Lebanon County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,031 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Jonestown <2>
  • Berks County
  • Columbia County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Mount Zion, with the one closest to Mount Zion listed first.
    • Locustdale
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Locustdale have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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 <2>
    • Centralia
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
    • Aristes
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aristes have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aristes
      • Aristes is located in Columbia County
  • Cumberland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Mount Zion, with the one closest to Mount Zion listed first.
    • New Cumberland
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for New Cumberland have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Cumberland
      • New Cumberland is located in Cumberland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,300 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for New Cumberland <2>
    • Lower Allen
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lower Allen have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lower Allen
      • Lower Allen is located in Cumberland County
    • Enola
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Lemoyne
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lemoyne have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lemoyne
      • Lemoyne is located in Cumberland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,632 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lemoyne <2>
    • West Fairview
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Wormleysburg
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wormleysburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wormleysburg
      • Wormleysburg is located in Cumberland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,062 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wormleysburg <2>
    • Camp Hill
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
    • Westwood Village
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Westwood Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westwood Village
      • Westwood Village is located in Cumberland County
  • Dauphin County
  • Lancaster County
  • Luzerne County
    • Newtown
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • 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.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newtown
      • Newtown is located in Luzerne County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Newtown
      • From Mount Zion to Newtown
  • Northumberland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Mount Zion, with the one closest to Mount Zion listed first.
    • Gowen City
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gowen City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gowen City
      • Gowen City is located in Northumberland County
    • Locust Gap
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
    • Leck Kill
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Dooleyville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • Bear Valley
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
    • Marshallton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marshallton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marshallton
      • Marshallton is located in Northumberland County
    • Edgewood
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edgewood have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edgewood
      • Edgewood is located in Northumberland County
    • Mount Carmel
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mount Carmel have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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 <2>
    • Shamokin
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
    • Natalie
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
    • Bear Gap
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
    • Kulpmont
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kulpmont have been provided by the GNIS.<1> 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 <2>
    • Mandata
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Mandata. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mandata
      • Mandata is located in Northumberland County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Mandata
      • From Mount Zion to Mandata
  • Perry County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Mount Zion, with the one closest to Mount Zion listed first.
    • Marysville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marysville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marysville
      • Marysville is located in Perry County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,553 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Marysville <2>
    • Perdix
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • Schuylkill County
  • York County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Mount Zion, with the one closest to Mount Zion listed first.
    • Goldsboro
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Goldsboro. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goldsboro
      • Goldsboro is located in York County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 938 people
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Goldsboro
      • From Mount Zion to Goldsboro
    • Marsh Run
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Marsh Run. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marsh Run
      • Marsh Run is located in York County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Marsh Run
      • From Mount Zion to Marsh Run
    • York Haven
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for York Haven have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for York Haven
      • York Haven is located in York County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 691 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for York Haven <2>
    • Wrightsville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • Redland Village
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Redland Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redland Village
      • Redland Village is located in York County
    • Valley Green
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • East Prospect
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for East Prospect have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Prospect
      • East Prospect is located in York County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 912 people
    • Mount Wolf
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mount Wolf have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Wolf
      • Mount Wolf is located in York County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,380 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mount Wolf <2>
    • Manchester
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Quaker Village
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Quaker Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quaker Village
      • Quaker Village is located in York County
    • Starview
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Strinestown
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Hallam
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hallam have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hallam
      • Hallam is located in York County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,634 people

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

Cemeteries Near Mount Zion ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Mount Zion.

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

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Mount Zion, with the one closest to Mount Zion 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 Mount Zion had a population of 488 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

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

Newspapers Published in Mount Zion ...

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 59 newspapers that have been published in the area around Mount Zion.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Mount Zion, there are papers which were published within 13 miles [20.9 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Mount Zion.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to 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 Mount Zion:

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

The official website for Lebanon County: www.lebcounty.org/

The official website for Commonwealth 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>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>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 Mount Zion, 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 from Point A (ie- Mount Zion) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Mount Zion. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 40.3997, Longitude: -76.3823       In this case, the coordinates for Mount Zion have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025