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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 Riddleton (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 Riddleton. 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.

Riddleton is located in Smith 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 Smith County: DeKalb, Jackson, Macon, Putnam, Trousdale & Wilson.

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

  • Smith County     (The home county of Riddleton)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Monoville
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Monoville is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monoville
    • Dixon Springs
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Dixon Springs is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dixon Springs
    • Rock City
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Rock City is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock City
    • Pleasant Shade
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Defeated
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Defeated is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Defeated
    • Carthage
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • South Carthage
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
      • South Carthage is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Carthage
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,406 people
    • Difficult
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Difficult is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Difficult
      • Estimated population in 2014: 14,993 people
    • Bluff Creek
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Bluff Creek is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluff Creek
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,734 people
    • Shaver Town
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
      • Shaver Town is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shaver Town
    • Gordonsville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Hickman
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
      • Hickman is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickman
    • Chestnut Mound
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Chestnut Mound is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chestnut Mound
  • Cannon County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Auburntown
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Auburntown is located in Cannon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Auburntown
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 266 people
    • Gassaway
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Gassaway is located in Cannon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gassaway
  • Clay County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Jenkins Village
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Jenkins Village is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jenkins Village
    • Hermitage Springs
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Hermitage Springs is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hermitage Springs
    • Clementsville
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Clementsville is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clementsville
    • Butlers Landing ‑ Historic
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Butlers Landing is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Butlers Landing
    • Boles
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Boles is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boles
    • Moss
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Moss is located in Clay County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moss
  • DeKalb County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Alexandria
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Temperance Hall
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Temperance Hall is located in DeKalb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Temperance Hall
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 5,791 people
    • Dowelltown
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Liberty
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Liberty is located in DeKalb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 330 people
    • Youngblood ‑ Historic
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Youngblood is located in DeKalb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Youngblood
    • Philippi
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Philippi is located in DeKalb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Philippi
    • Smithville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Johnsons Chapel
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Johnsons Chapel is located in DeKalb County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Johnsons Chapel
  • Jackson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Rough Point
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Rough Point is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rough Point
    • Haydenburg
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Haydenburg is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haydenburg
    • Nameless
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Nameless is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nameless
    • North Springs
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • North Springs is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Springs
    • Gainesboro
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
    • Whitleyville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Whitleyville is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitleyville
    • Columbus Hill
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Columbus Hill is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Columbus Hill
      • Estimated population in 2014: 36,071 people
    • Mayfield ‑ Historic
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Mayfield is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mayfield
    • Burristown
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Burristown is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burristown
    • Dodson Branch
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Dodson Branch is located in Jackson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dodson Branch
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 1,074 people
  • Macon County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Meadorville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Meadorville is located in Macon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadorville
    • Gibbs Crossroads
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Gibbs Crossroads is located in Macon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gibbs Crossroads
    • Mill Town
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Mill Town is located in Macon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mill Town
    • Lafayette
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Green Grove
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Green Grove is located in Macon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Grove
    • Frog Pond
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Frog Pond is located in Macon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frog Pond
    • Red Boiling Springs
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Siloam
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Siloam is located in Macon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Siloam
    • Walnut Shade
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Walnut Shade is located in Macon County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Shade
  • Putnam County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Pekin ‑ Historic
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Pekin is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pekin
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,114 people
    • Lafayette
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Lafayette is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lafayette
      • Estimated population in 2014: 4,962 people
    • Boma
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Boma is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boma
    • Baxter
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Burton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Burton is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burton
    • Avoton ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Avoton is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avoton
    • Boiling Springs
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Boiling Springs is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boiling Springs
    • Ditty
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Ditty is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ditty
    • Huntland
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Huntland is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huntland
      • Estimated population in 2014: 860 people
    • Cookeville
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
    • Burgess
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Burgess is located in Putnam County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burgess
  • Rutherford County
    • Milton
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Milton is located in Rutherford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Milton
  • Sumner County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Chipman
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Chipman is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chipman
    • Castalian Springs
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
    • Bransford
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Bransford is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bransford
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 170 people
    • Bethpage
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Bledsoe
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Bledsoe is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bledsoe
    • Rogana
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Rogana is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rogana
    • Westmoreland
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Trousdale
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Trousdale is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trousdale
    • Rock Bridge
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Rock Bridge is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Bridge
    • Gallatin
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • Sugar Grove
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Sugar Grove is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sugar Grove
    • Fairfield
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Fairfield is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairfield
    • South Tunnel
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • South Tunnel is located in Sumner County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Tunnel
  • Trousdale County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Johntown
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Johntown is located in Trousdale County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Johntown
    • Hartsville
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
  • Wilson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Centerville
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
      • Centerville is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centerville
      • Estimated population in 2014: 3,595 people
    • Saulsbury
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Saulsbury is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saulsbury
      • Estimated population in 2014: 96 people
    • Commerce
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Commerce is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Commerce
    • Linwood
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Linwood is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Linwood
    • Watertown
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Greenwood
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Greenwood is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenwood
    • Lebanon
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Possum Town
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Possum Town is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Possum Town
    • Doaks Crossroads
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Doaks Crossroads is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Doaks Crossroads
      • Doaks Crossroads has also been known as:
      • Doaks
    • Round Top
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Round Top is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Round Top
    • Statesville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • Statesville is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Statesville
    • Cottage Home
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Cottage Home is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottage Home
      • Estimated population in 2014: 88 people
    • Laguardo
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Laguardo is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laguardo
      • Estimated population in 2014: 132 people
  • Allen County (KY)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Holland
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Holland is located in Allen County (KY)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holland
    • Adolphus
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Oak Forest
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
      • Oak Forest is located in Allen County (KY)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Forest
    • Petroleum
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Petroleum is located in Allen County (KY)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Petroleum
  • Monroe County (KY)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Riddleton, with the one closest to Riddleton listed first.
    • Akersville
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
      • Akersville is located in Monroe County (KY)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Akersville
    • Gamaliel
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Fountain Run
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
    • Boles
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Boles is located in Monroe County (KY)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boles

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

Cemeteries Near Riddleton ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Riddleton.

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

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

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

  • Davis Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
  • Cage Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
  • Porter Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Kennys Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Bradleys Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Hackett Cemetery - Smith Branch Road
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
  • Dixon Springs Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
  • Violet Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
  • Maceys Hill Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
  • Beasley Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
  • Stowe Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Cato Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Continue List   (624 more) ...
    • Harper Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Litchford Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Manning - Denton Cemetery
      (4 miles [6.4 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.<4>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Riddleton had a population of 108 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

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

  • Monoville
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Monoville is located in Smith County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monoville
  • Dixon Springs
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Dixon Springs is located in Smith County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dixon Springs
  • Rome
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Rome is located in Smith County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rome
  • Pleasant Shade
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
  • Carthage
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Defeated
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Defeated is located in Smith County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Defeated
  • Bluff Creek
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Bluff Creek is located in Smith County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluff Creek
    • Estimated population in 2014: 1,734 people
  • Difficult
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Difficult is located in Smith County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Difficult
    • Estimated population in 2014: 14,993 people
  • Bellwood
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Bellwood is located in Wilson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bellwood
  • Hillsdale
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Hillsdale is located in Macon County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillsdale
  • Donoho
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Donoho is located in Smith County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Donoho
  • Kempville
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Kempville is located in Smith County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kempville
  • Continue List   (16 more) ...
    • Jennings ‑ Historic
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jennings is located in Wilson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jennings
    • Grant
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Grant is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grant
    • Elmwood
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Elmwood is located in Smith County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elmwood

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

Newspapers Published in Riddleton ...

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 76 newspapers that have been published in the area around Riddleton.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Riddleton, there are papers which were published within 17 miles [27.4 km]<2>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Riddleton.

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 Riddleton:

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>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- Riddleton) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<3>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.
<4>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 Riddleton, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.