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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 Saint Paul (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 Saint Paul. 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 Saint Paul ...

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 occur.

For example, a typical abbreviation for Saint Paul: St. Paul

You might be interested in other communities that are also named Saint Paul. More information can be found on our Tidbits & Trivia Page for Saint Paul.

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 southeast 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 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.

Saint Paul is located in Somerset 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 Somerset County: Allegany (MD), Garrett (MD), Bedford, Cambria, Fayette & Westmoreland.

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

  • Somerset County     (The home county of Saint Paul)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Paul, with the one closest to Saint Paul listed first.
    • Coal Run
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Coal Run is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coal Run
    • West Salisbury
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • West Salisbury is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Salisbury
    • Boynton
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Boynton is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boynton
    • Summit Mills
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Summit Mills is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summit Mills
    • Salisbury
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Meyersdale
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • West Meyersdale
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • West Meyersdale is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Meyersdale
    • Garrett
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Glade City
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Glade City is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glade City
    • Althouse
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Althouse is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Althouse
    • Hays Mill
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Hays Mill is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hays Mill
    • Markleton
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Bedford County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Paul, with the one closest to Saint Paul listed first.
    • Stringtown
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Stringtown is located in Bedford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stringtown
    • Cooks Mills
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Cooks Mills is located in Bedford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cooks Mills
    • Hyndman
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
    • Kegg
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Kegg is located in Bedford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kegg
    • Beans Cove
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Beans Cove is located in Bedford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beans Cove
    • Schellsburg
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Fayette County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Paul, with the one closest to Saint Paul listed first.
    • Markleysburg
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Seven Springs
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Ohiopyle
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Indian Head
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Indian Head is located in Fayette County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Head
    • Champion
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Farmington
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • Mount Washington
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Mount Washington is located in Fayette County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Washington
    • White
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • White is located in Fayette County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White
    • Elliottsville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Elliottsville is located in Fayette County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elliottsville
    • South Connellsville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Bear Rocks
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Bear Rocks is located in Fayette County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bear Rocks
    • Connellsville
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Westmoreland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Paul, with the one closest to Saint Paul listed first.
    • Donegal
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Stahlstown
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Rector
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
    • Laughlintown
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
    • Laurel Mountain
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Laurel Mountain is located in Westmoreland County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laurel Mountain
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 153 people
      • Laurel Mountain has also been known as:
      • Laurel Mountain Park
  • Allegany County (MD)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Paul, with the one closest to Saint Paul listed first.
    • Frostburg
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Midlothian
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Midlothian is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Midlothian
    • Zihlman
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Zihlman is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zihlman
    • Borden Shaft
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Borden Shaft is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Borden Shaft
    • Eckhart Mines
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Eckhart Mines is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eckhart Mines
    • Klondike
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Klondike is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Klondike
    • Mount Savage
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Barrelville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
      • Barrelville is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barrelville
    • Clarysville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Clarysville is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clarysville
    • Ocean
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Ocean is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ocean
    • Woodland
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Woodland is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodland
    • Gilmore
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Gilmore is located in Allegany County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gilmore
  • Garrett County (MD)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Paul, with the one closest to Saint Paul listed first.
    • Grantsville
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Avilton
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Avilton is located in Garrett County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avilton
    • Bittinger
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Accident
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Friendsville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
    • McHenry
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Bloomington
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Bloomington is located in Garrett County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bloomington
    • Swanton
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • Altamont
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Altamont is located in Garrett County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Altamont
    • Kitzmiller
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
    • Deer Park
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Mountain Lake Park
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Mountain Lake Park is located in Garrett County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Lake Park
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,065 people
  • Hampshire County (WV)
    • Donaldson
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Donaldson is located in Hampshire County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Donaldson
  • Mineral County (WV)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Paul, with the one closest to Saint Paul listed first.
    • Carpendale
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Carpendale is located in Mineral County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carpendale
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 900 people
    • Ridgeley
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Piedmont
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
    • Wiley Ford
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Windom ‑ Historic
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Windom is located in Mineral County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Windom
    • Short Gap
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Short Gap is located in Mineral County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Short Gap
    • Keyser
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Keyser is located in Mineral County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keyser
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,863 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Keyser <1>
    • Shaw
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Shaw is located in Mineral County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shaw
    • Fort Ashby
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Elk Garden
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
    • Harrison
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
      • Harrison is located in Mineral County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harrison
    • New Creek
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
  • Preston County (WV)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Saint Paul, with the one closest to Saint Paul listed first.
    • Hazelton
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • Orr
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Orr is located in Preston County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orr
    • Clifton Mills
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Clifton Mills is located in Preston County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clifton Mills
    • Brandonville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Brandonville is located in Preston County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brandonville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 105 people
    • Lenox
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Lenox is located in Preston County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lenox
    • Morgans Glade
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Morgans Glade is located in Preston County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morgans Glade
    • Bruceton Mills
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Little Sandy
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Little Sandy is located in Preston County (WV)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Sandy

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

Cemeteries Near Saint Paul ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Saint Paul.

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 Saint Paul - one of the links might be able to help.

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Saint Paul covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • Union Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
  • Maple Glen Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Reformed Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
  • Grantsville Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Merrbach Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
  • Highland Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Mt. Zion Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
  • St. Pauls Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Garrett Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
  • Ridgley Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
  • St. Anns Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
  • Blocher Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
  • Continue List   (249 more) ...
    • Negro Mountain Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Mt. Beulah Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Trinity Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)

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.<2>

While we didn't find Saint Paul in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Saint Paul.

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

  • West Salisbury
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • West Salisbury is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Salisbury
  • Boynton
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Boynton is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boynton
  • Summit Mills
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Summit Mills is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summit Mills
  • Shaw Mines
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Shaw Mines is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shaw Mines
  • Meyersdale
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
  • West Meyersdale
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • West Meyersdale is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Meyersdale
  • Grantsville
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
  • Salisbury Junction
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Salisbury Junction is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salisbury Junction
  • Savage
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Savage is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Savage
  • Garrett
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Sand Patch
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Sand Patch is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sand Patch
  • Pocahontas
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Pocahontas is located in Somerset County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pocahontas
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Hays Mill
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Hays Mill is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hays Mill
    • Markleton
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Pinkerton
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Pinkerton is located in Somerset County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pinkerton

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

Newspapers Published in Saint Paul ...

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 37 newspapers that have been published in the area around Saint Paul.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Saint Paul, there are papers which were published within 17 miles [27.4 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Saint Paul.

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 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 Saint Paul:

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>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 Saint Paul, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<3>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- Saint Paul) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.