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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 Nashville (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 Nashville. 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 northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the north.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the north contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Nashville is located in Davidson County and is the County Seat.

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 Nashville. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Nashville:

  • Davidson County     (The home county of Nashville)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nashville, with the one closest to Nashville listed first.
    • Nashville - Davidson
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
      • Nashville - Davidson is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nashville - Davidson
      • Estimated population in 2019: 670,820 people
    • Berry Hill
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Berry Hill is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berry Hill
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 492 people
    • East Nashville
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Mudtavern
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Dog Town ‑ Historic
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Dog Town is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dog Town
    • Green Hills
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Green Hills is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Hills
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 6,618 people
    • Donelson
      (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Maplewood
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Paragon Mills
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Oak Hill
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
      • Oak Hill is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Hill
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,432 people
    • Belle Meade
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Belle Meade is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belle Meade
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,788 people
    • Madison
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Forest Hills
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Forest Hills is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Hills
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,721 people
  • Cheatham County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nashville, with the one closest to Nashville listed first.
    • Doziers ‑ Historic
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Doziers is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Doziers
      • Estimated population in 2014: 543 people
    • Marrowbone
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Westeria ‑ Historic
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Westeria is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westeria
    • Bearwallow
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Lillamay
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Pegram
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Ashland City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Kingston Springs
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • Sycamore
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Pleasant View
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Bell Town
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Bell Town is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bell Town
    • Lockertsville
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Cheap Hill
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Cheap Hill is located in Cheatham County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cheap Hill
      • Estimated population in 2014: 173,778 people
  • Dickson County
  • Maury County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nashville, with the one closest to Nashville listed first.
    • New Town
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • New Town is located in Maury County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Town
    • Jameson
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Theta
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Montgomery County
  • Robertson County
  • Rutherford County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nashville, with the one closest to Nashville listed first.
    • Morrow
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Morrow is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morrow
      • Estimated population in 2014: 29,304 people
    • La Vergne
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jefferson Pike
      (17 miles [27.4 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
      (19 miles [30.6 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
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Colonial Village
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Colonial Village is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colonial Village
    • Leanna
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Patterson
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • Jamestown
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Jamestown is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jamestown
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,940 people
    • Snell ‑ Historic
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Snell is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Snell
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,361 people
    • Walter Hill Estates
      (26 miles [41.8 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
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Allisona
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
  • Sumner County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nashville, with the one closest to Nashville listed first.
    • Driftwood Park
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Driftwood Park is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Driftwood Park
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,908 people
    • Goodlettsville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Hendersonville
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Millersville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
    • Shackle Island
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Shackle Island is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shackle Island
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 2,844 people
    • Ocana
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Ocana is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ocana
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,086 people
    • Station Camp ‑ Historic
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Station Camp is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Station Camp
    • Gallatin
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
    • Walnut Grove
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Walnut Grove is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Grove
    • Cottontown
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Johnsons Crossroads
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Hall Town
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Hall Town is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hall Town
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,202 people
    • Trousdale
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Trousdale is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trousdale
  • Williamson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Nashville, with the one closest to Nashville listed first.
    • Wildwood Estates
      (9 miles [14.5 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
    • Brentwood
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Lynnwood Downs
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Lynnwood Downs is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynnwood Downs
      • Estimated population in 2014: 282 people
    • Berrys Chapel Heights
      (14 miles [22.5 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
    • Old Town ‑ Historic
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Old Town is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Town
    • McEwen ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
      • McEwen is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McEwen
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,699 people
    • Nolensville
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Forest Home
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Clovercroft
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Franklin
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
    • Arrington
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
    • Parry
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Parry is located in Williamson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parry
      • Estimated population in 2014: 262 people
    • Southall
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Wilson County

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

Cemeteries Near Nashville ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Nashville.

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 Nashville - one of the links might be able to help.

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

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

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<3>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Nashville had a population of 76,168 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service.

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

  • East Nashville
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
  • West Nashville
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • West Nashville is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Nashville
  • Glencliff
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Glencliff is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glencliff
  • Paragon Mills
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
  • Donelson
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
  • Maplewood
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
  • Jordonia
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jordonia is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jordonia
  • Wilkerson ‑ Historic
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Wilkerson is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilkerson
  • Whites Creek
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Madison
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Watkins ‑ Historic
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Watkins is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Watkins
  • Oglesby
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Oglesby is located in Davidson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oglesby
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Antioch
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Una
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Una is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Una
    • Lickton
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
      • Lickton is located in Davidson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lickton

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Nashville ...

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 362 newspapers that have been published in the area around Nashville.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Nashville. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Nashville and those printed in the larger area surrounding Nashville.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 9 miles [14.5 km]<4> of Nashville.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful 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 Nashville:

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 Nashville, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Nashville) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.