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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 Riley (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 Riley. 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.

Riley is located in Calhoun County.

To see how the shape of South Carolina's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Calhoun County: Clarendon, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland & Sumter.

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

  • Calhoun County     (The home county of Riley)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riley, with the one closest to Riley listed first.
    • Saint Matthews
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Cameron
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cameron have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cameron
      • Cameron is located in Calhoun County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 396 people
    • Creston
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creston
      • Creston is located in Calhoun County
  • Aiken County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riley, with the one closest to Riley listed first.
    • Perry
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Salley
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
  • Bamberg County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riley, with the one closest to Riley listed first.
    • Bamberg
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Denmark
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
  • Clarendon County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riley, with the one closest to Riley listed first.
    • Panola
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Panola have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Panola
      • Panola is located in Clarendon County
    • Silver
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Silver
      • Silver is located in Clarendon County
    • Summerton
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • Paxville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Davis Station
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
  • Dorchester County
    • Reevesville
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
  • Lancaster County
  • Lexington County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riley, with the one closest to Riley listed first.
    • Swansea
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Gaston
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gaston
      • Gaston is located in Lexington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,712 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gaston <1>
    • Glenn Village
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Glenn Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenn Village
      • Glenn Village is located in Lexington County
    • Pineridge
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pineridge
      • Pineridge is located in Lexington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,419 people
    • South Congaree
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Congaree have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Congaree
      • South Congaree is located in Lexington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,485 people
    • Pelion
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
    • Cayce
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cayce
      • Cayce is located in Lexington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 13,994 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cayce <1>
    • Springdale
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springdale
      • Springdale is located in Lexington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,732 people
    • West Columbia
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Orangeburg County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riley, with the one closest to Riley listed first.
    • Jamison
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jamison
      • Jamison is located in Orangeburg County
    • Stilton
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stilton
      • Stilton is located in Orangeburg County
    • Wren Village
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wren Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wren Village
      • Wren Village is located in Orangeburg County
    • Brookdale
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brookdale have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brookdale
      • Brookdale is located in Orangeburg County
    • Wilkinson Heights
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wilkinson Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilkinson Heights
      • Wilkinson Heights is located in Orangeburg County
    • Orangeburg
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Edisto
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edisto have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edisto
      • Edisto is located in Orangeburg County
    • Elloree
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Cordova
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Bolen Town
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bolen Town have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bolen Town
      • Bolen Town is located in Orangeburg County
    • Rowesville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
    • North
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North
      • North is located in Orangeburg County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 699 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for North <1>
  • Richland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riley, with the one closest to Riley listed first.
    • Gadsden
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
    • Weston
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Weston have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weston
      • Weston is located in Richland County
    • Eastover
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
    • Pinewood
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pinewood
      • Pinewood is located in Richland County
    • Bruner
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bruner
      • Bruner is located in Richland County
    • Hopkins
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
    • Capitol View
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Capitol View
      • Capitol View is located in Richland County
    • Arthurtown
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arthurtown
      • Arthurtown is located in Richland County
    • Valencia Heights
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Valencia Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valencia Heights
      • Valencia Heights is located in Richland County
    • Hollywood
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hollywood
      • Hollywood is located in Richland County
    • Forest Acres
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Acres
      • Forest Acres is located in Richland County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,269 people
    • Columbia
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Sumter County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riley, with the one closest to Riley listed first.
    • Pinewood
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Wedgefield
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Privateer
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Privateer have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Privateer
      • Privateer is located in Sumter County
    • Cane Savannah
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cane Savannah have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cane Savannah
      • Cane Savannah is located in Sumter County
    • Stateburg
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stateburg have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stateburg
      • Stateburg is located in Sumter County
    • Ashley Creek Village
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ashley Creek Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashley Creek Village
      • Ashley Creek Village is located in Sumter County
    • Cherryvale
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cherryvale have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cherryvale
      • Cherryvale is located in Sumter County
    • Horatio
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Lakewood
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lakewood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakewood
      • Lakewood is located in Sumter County
    • Oakland
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oakland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakland
      • Oakland is located in Sumter County

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

Newspapers Published in Riley ...

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 28 newspapers that have been published in the area around Riley.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Riley, there are papers which were published within 20 miles [32.2 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Riley.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin 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 Riley:

Cemeteries Near Riley ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Riley.

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

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

  • West End Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the West End Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the West End Cemetery
  • Hubbard Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hubbard Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hubbard Cemetery
  • Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery
  • Prospect Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Prospect Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Prospect Cemetery
  • Crestview Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Crestview Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Crestview Cemetery
  • First Assembly of God Church Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
  • Jones Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jones Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jones Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery
  • Calvary AME Church Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Calvary AME Church Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Calvary AME Church Cemetery
  • Belleville Memorial Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Belleville Memorial Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Belleville Memorial Cemetery
  • Bull Swamp Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bull Swamp Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bull Swamp Cemetery
  • St. Stephen Church Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the St. Stephen Church Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the St. Stephen Church Cemetery
  • Mt. Calvary Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Calvary Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Calvary Cemetery
  • Continue List   (214 more) ...
    • Mt. Calvary Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Calvary Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Calvary Cemetery
    • Orangeburg Memorial Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Orangeburg Memorial Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Orangeburg Memorial Cemetery
    • Mt. Lebanon Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)

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>

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

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

  • Jamison
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jamison
    • Jamison is located in Orangeburg County
  • Saint Matthews
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
  • Stilton
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stilton
    • Stilton is located in Orangeburg County
  • Felder
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Felder have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Felder
    • Felder is located in Orangeburg County
  • Elloree
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
  • Gadsden
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
  • Rowesville
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
  • Rimini
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rimini have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rimini
    • Rimini is located in Clarendon County
  • Weston
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Weston have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weston
    • Weston is located in Richland County
  • North
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North
    • North is located in Orangeburg County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 699 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for North <1>
  • Boiling Spring ‑ Historic
    (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Boiling Spring have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boiling Spring
    • Boiling Spring is located in Orangeburg County
  • Felderville
    (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Felderville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Felderville
    • Felderville is located in Orangeburg County
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Parler
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parler
      • Parler is located in Orangeburg County
    • Woodford
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodford have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodford
      • Woodford is located in Orangeburg County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 169 people
    • Congaree
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Congaree have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Congaree
      • Congaree is located in Richland County

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

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

The official website for State of South Carolina: https://sc.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>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.
<3>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- Riley) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Riley. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.6227, Longitude: -80.7995       In this case, the coordinates for Riley have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<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 Riley, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024