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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 Oswayo (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 Oswayo. 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 southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals and doctors were in the next county to the west. 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 west 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.

Oswayo is located in Potter 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 Potter County: Allegany (NY), Steuben (NY), Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, McKean & Tioga.

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

  • Potter County     (The home county of Oswayo)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Oswayo, with the one closest to Oswayo listed first.
    • Chrystal
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Chrystal. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chrystal
      • Chrystal is located in Potter County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Chrystal
      • From Oswayo to Chrystal
    • Coneville
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Coneville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coneville
      • Coneville is located in Potter County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Coneville
      • From Oswayo to Coneville
    • Millport
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Ellisburg
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Hebron
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Hebron. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hebron
      • Hebron is located in Potter County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Hebron
      • From Oswayo to Hebron
    • East Sharon
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for East Sharon. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Sharon
      • East Sharon is located in Potter County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to East Sharon
      • From Oswayo to East Sharon
    • Honeoye
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Honeoye. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Honeoye
      • Honeoye is located in Potter County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Honeoye
      • From Oswayo to Honeoye
    • Gold
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Genesee
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Shinglehouse
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Newfield
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Newfield. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newfield
      • Newfield is located in Potter County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Newfield
      • From Oswayo to Newfield
    • West Bingham
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Coudersport
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
  • Cameron County
    • Emporium
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Emporium have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emporium
      • Emporium is located in Cameron County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,770 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Emporium <2>
  • McKean County
  • Tioga County
  • Allegany County (NY)
  • Cattaraugus County (NY)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Oswayo, with the one closest to Oswayo listed first.
    • Portville
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Portville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Portville
      • Portville is located in Cattaraugus County (NY)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 941 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Portville <2>
    • Weston Mills
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Four Mile
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Four Mile. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Four Mile
      • Four Mile is located in Cattaraugus County (NY)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Four Mile
      • From Oswayo to Four Mile
    • Olean
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Rock City
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rock City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock City
      • Rock City is located in Cattaraugus County (NY)
    • Saint Bonaventure
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saint Bonaventure have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Bonaventure
      • Saint Bonaventure is located in Cattaraugus County (NY)
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Saint Bonaventure <2>
    • Abbotts
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Allegany
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Allegany have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allegany
      • Allegany is located in Cattaraugus County (NY)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,685 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Allegany <2>
    • Ischua
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Chipmunk
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Chipmunk. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chipmunk
      • Chipmunk is located in Cattaraugus County (NY)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Chipmunk
      • From Oswayo to Chipmunk
  • Steuben County (NY)

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

Cemeteries Near Oswayo ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Oswayo.

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

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

  • Ford Hill Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ford Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ford Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Sunnyside Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sunnyside Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sunnyside Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Maple Grove Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Maple Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Maple Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Graves Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Graves Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Graves Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Maple Grove Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Maple Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Maple Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Eulalia Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
  • Sweden Hill Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Sweden Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Sweden Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Yorks Corners Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Yorks Corners Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Yorks Corners Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Allentown Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
  • Lyman Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lyman Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lyman Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • St. Eulalias Catholic Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
  • Beech Hill Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Beech Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Beech Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (166 more) ...
    • Bellamy Cemetery
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bellamy Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bellamy Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Card Creek Cemetery
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Card Creek Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Card Creek Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Hill Cemetery
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hill Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.

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 Oswayo had a population of 336 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service. In 2020, Oswayo had a population of 130 people.

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

  • Chrystal
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Chrystal. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chrystal
    • Chrystal is located in Potter County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Chrystal
    • From Oswayo to Chrystal
  • Clara
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clara have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clara
    • Clara is located in Potter County
  • Eleven Mile
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Eleven Mile have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eleven Mile
    • Eleven Mile is located in Potter County
  • Millport
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
  • Hebron
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Hebron. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hebron
    • Hebron is located in Potter County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Hebron
    • From Oswayo to Hebron
  • Alma
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Andrews Settlement
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Andrews Settlement have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Andrews Settlement
    • Andrews Settlement is located in Potter County
  • Ellisburg
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
  • Sharon Center
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sharon Center have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sharon Center
    • Sharon Center is located in Potter County
  • Colesburg
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Colesburg have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colesburg
    • Colesburg is located in Potter County
  • South Bolivar
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Bolivar have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Bolivar
    • South Bolivar is located in Allegany County (NY)
  • Honeoye
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Honeoye. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Honeoye
    • Honeoye is located in Potter County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Honeoye
    • From Oswayo to Honeoye
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • East Sharon
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for East Sharon. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Sharon
      • East Sharon is located in Potter County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to East Sharon
      • From Oswayo to East Sharon
    • Raymond
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Raymond have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Raymond
      • Raymond is located in Potter County
    • Gold
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Oswayo ...

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 93 newspapers that have been published in the area around Oswayo.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Oswayo. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Oswayo and those printed in the larger area surrounding Oswayo.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 20 miles [32.2 km]<6> of Oswayo.

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 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 Oswayo:

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

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

Footnotes ...

<1>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.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<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>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 Oswayo, 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 drawn from Point A (ie- Oswayo) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Oswayo. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.9216, Longitude: -78.0177    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025