RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Tennessee >> Davidson County >> Dodson Ferry >> Genealogy HelperIndex...

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 Dodson Ferry (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 Dodson Ferry. 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 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.

Dodson Ferry is located in Davidson County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Davidson County: Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson & Wilson.

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

  • Davidson County     (The home county of Dodson Ferry)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dodson Ferry, with the one closest to Dodson Ferry listed first.
    • Hermitage
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Donelson
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Donelson is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Donelson
    • Lakewood
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Lakewood is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakewood
    • Marvel ‑ Historic
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Marvel is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marvel
      • Estimated population in 2014: 11,322 people
    • Mudtavern
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Mudtavern is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mudtavern
    • Old Hickory
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Dog Town ‑ Historic
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
      • Dog Town is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dog Town
    • Rayon City
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
      • Rayon City is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rayon City
    • Madison
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Maplewood
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Maplewood is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maplewood
    • Nashboro Village
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Nashboro Village is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nashboro Village
    • Priest Lake Park
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Priest Lake Park is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Priest Lake Park
    • East Nashville
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
      • East Nashville is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Nashville
  • Cheatham County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dodson Ferry, with the one closest to Dodson Ferry listed first.
    • Westeria ‑ Historic
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Westeria is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westeria
    • Doziers ‑ Historic
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
      • Doziers is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Doziers
      • Estimated population in 2014: 543 people
    • Bearwallow
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Bearwallow is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bearwallow
    • Marrowbone
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Marrowbone is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marrowbone
    • Lillamay
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Lillamay is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lillamay
    • Ashland City
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Ashland City is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashland City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,748 people
    • Pegram
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Pegram is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pegram
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,056 people
    • Sycamore
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Sycamore is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sycamore
    • Pleasant View
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Kingston Springs
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
    • Bell Town
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Bell Town is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bell Town
    • Lockertsville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Lockertsville is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lockertsville
      • Estimated population in 2014: 885 people
    • Cheap Hill
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Cheap Hill is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cheap Hill
      • Estimated population in 2014: 173,778 people
  • Robertson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dodson Ferry, with the one closest to Dodson Ferry listed first.
    • Hygeia Springs
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Hygeia Springs is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hygeia Springs
    • White House
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Greenbrier
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Greenbrier is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenbrier
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 6,905 people
    • Crunk
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Crunk is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crunk
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,406 people
    • Calistia
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Calistia is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calistia
    • Jernigan Town
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
      • Jernigan Town is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jernigan Town
    • Coopertown
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Coopertown is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coopertown
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,612 people
    • Oakland
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Oakland is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakland
    • Cross Plains
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
    • Mulloy
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Mulloy is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mulloy
    • Springfield
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Flewellyn
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Flewellyn is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flewellyn
    • Sandy Springs
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Sandy Springs is located in Robertson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandy Springs
  • Rutherford County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dodson Ferry, with the one closest to Dodson Ferry listed first.
    • Morrow
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
      • Morrow is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morrow
      • Estimated population in 2014: 29,304 people
    • La Vergne
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
    • Jefferson Pike
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Jefferson Pike is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jefferson Pike
      • Estimated population in 2014: 8,370 people
    • Murphree
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Murphree is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Murphree
      • Estimated population in 2014: 120,954 people
    • Smyrna
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Smyrna is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smyrna
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 53,185 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Smyrna <1>
    • Colonial Village
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Colonial Village is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colonial Village
    • Jamestown
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Jamestown is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jamestown
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,940 people
    • Leanna
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Leanna is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leanna
    • Walter Hill Estates
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Walter Hill Estates is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walter Hill Estates
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 401 people
    • Walterhill
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Walterhill is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walterhill
    • Snell ‑ Historic
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Snell is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Snell
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,361 people
    • Fairfield Estates
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Fairfield Estates is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairfield Estates
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 131 people
    • Compton
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Compton is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Compton
  • Sumner County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dodson Ferry, with the one closest to Dodson Ferry listed first.
    • Driftwood Park
      (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
      • Driftwood Park is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Driftwood Park
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,908 people
    • Hendersonville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Goodlettsville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Shackle Island
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Shackle Island is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shackle Island
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 2,844 people
    • Ocana
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Ocana is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ocana
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,086 people
    • Millersville
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
    • Station Camp ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Station Camp is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Station Camp
    • Gallatin
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Cottontown
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Trousdale
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Trousdale is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trousdale
    • Walnut Grove
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Walnut Grove is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Grove
    • Johnsons Crossroads
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Johnsons Crossroads is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Johnsons Crossroads
    • Hall Town
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Hall Town is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hall Town
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,202 people
  • Trousdale County
    • Hartsville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Williamson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dodson Ferry, with the one closest to Dodson Ferry listed first.
    • Brentwood
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Wildwood Estates
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Wildwood Estates is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wildwood Estates
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 1,098 people
    • Nolensville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Clovercroft
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Clovercroft is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clovercroft
    • Lynnwood Downs
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Lynnwood Downs is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynnwood Downs
      • Estimated population in 2014: 282 people
    • Berrys Chapel Heights
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Berrys Chapel Heights is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berrys Chapel Heights
      • Estimated population in 2014: 551 people
    • McEwen ‑ Historic
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • McEwen is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McEwen
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,699 people
    • Forest Home
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Forest Home is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Home
    • Old Town ‑ Historic
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Old Town is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Town
    • Arrington
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • Franklin
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Parry
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Parry is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parry
      • Estimated population in 2014: 262 people
    • Peytonsville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Peytonsville is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peytonsville
  • Wilson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Dodson Ferry, with the one closest to Dodson Ferry listed first.
    • Lynn Christie
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
      • Lynn Christie is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynn Christie
      • Estimated population in 2011: 6,411 people
    • Mount Juliet
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Rural Hill
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Rural Hill is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rural Hill
    • Belinda City
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Belinda City is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belinda City
    • Beckwith
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Beckwith is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beckwith
    • Leeville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Leeville is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leeville
    • Laguardo
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Laguardo is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laguardo
      • Estimated population in 2014: 132 people
    • Gladeville
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
    • Possum Town
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Possum Town is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Possum Town
    • Lebanon
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
    • Doaks Crossroads
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Doaks Crossroads is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Doaks Crossroads
      • Doaks Crossroads has also been known as:
      • Doaks
    • Greenwood
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Greenwood is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenwood
    • Centerville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Centerville is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centerville
      • Estimated population in 2014: 3,595 people

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

Cemeteries Near Dodson Ferry ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Dodson Ferry.

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 Dodson Ferry - one of the links might be able to help.

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

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

  • Scott - Hessey Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Absolem Gleaves Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Stateland Baptist Church Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
  • Donelson Church of Christ Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • First Baptist Church of Hopewell Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
  • Stewart Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
  • Page Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
  • Gleaves Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
  • Cowgill Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
  • Confederate Memorial Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
  • Buchanan Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Bryanttown Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Continue List   (1180 more) ...
    • Fuqua Cemetery
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Hayes Cemetery
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Phillips Cemetery
      (3 miles [4.8 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.<3>

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

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

  • Hermitage
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
  • Donelson
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Donelson is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Donelson
  • Green Hill
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Green Hill is located in Wilson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Hill
  • Old Hickory
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Glencliff
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Glencliff is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glencliff
  • Una
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Una is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Una
  • Dodoburg ‑ Historic
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Dodoburg is located in Wilson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dodoburg
  • Mount Juliet
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
  • Madison
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
  • Maplewood
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Maplewood is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maplewood
  • East Nashville
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • East Nashville is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Nashville
  • Wilkerson ‑ Historic
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Wilkerson is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilkerson
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Couchville
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Couchville is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Couchville
    • Rural Hill
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Rural Hill is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rural Hill
    • Nashville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)

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

Newspapers Published in Dodson Ferry ...

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 361 newspapers that have been published in the area around Dodson Ferry.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Dodson Ferry, there are papers which were published within 8 miles [12.9 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Dodson Ferry.

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 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 Dodson Ferry:

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 Dodson Ferry, 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 obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Dodson Ferry) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.