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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 Paxton (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 Paxton. 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/Parishes ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties/parishes.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the northeast 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 north.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties/parishes 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/parishes, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

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

Paxton is located in Shelby County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Shelby County: De Soto (LA), Sabine (LA), Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine & San Augustine.

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

  • Shelby County     (The home county of Paxton)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Paxton, with the one closest to Paxton listed first.
    • Tenaha
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Joaquin
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Joaquin have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joaquin
      • Joaquin is located in Shelby County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 793 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Joaquin <1>
    • Haslam
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haslam
      • Haslam is located in Shelby County
    • Center
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Campti
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Campti
      • Campti is located in Shelby County
    • Africa ‑ Historic
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Africa. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Africa
      • Africa is located in Shelby County
    • Shelbyville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shelbyville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shelbyville
      • Shelbyville is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Shelbyville <1>
    • Timpson
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Timpson have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Timpson
      • Timpson is located in Shelby County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,130 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Timpson <1>
    • Arcadia
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arcadia
      • Arcadia is located in Shelby County
    • Choice
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Choice
      • Choice is located in Shelby County
    • Huxley
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Huxley have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huxley
      • Huxley is located in Shelby County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 376 people
  • Harrison County
  • Nacogdoches County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Paxton, with the one closest to Paxton listed first.
    • Garrison
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Fitze
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fitze have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fitze
      • Fitze is located in Nacogdoches County
    • Whispering Pines
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whispering Pines
      • Whispering Pines is located in Nacogdoches County
    • Martinsville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Attoyac
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Attoyac
      • Attoyac is located in Nacogdoches County
    • Swift
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Swift have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swift
      • Swift is located in Nacogdoches County
    • Appleby
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Appleby
      • Appleby is located in Nacogdoches County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 444 people
  • Panola County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Paxton, with the one closest to Paxton listed first.
    • Woods
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woods have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woods
      • Woods is located in Panola County
    • Gary City
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
    • Murvaul
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Murvaul. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Murvaul
      • Murvaul is located in Panola County
    • Buncome
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buncome
      • Buncome is located in Panola County
    • Carthage
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Clayton
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clayton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clayton
      • Clayton is located in Panola County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Clayton <1>
    • Dotson
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dotson
      • Dotson is located in Panola County
    • De Berry
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
    • Long Branch
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • Beckville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Panola
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
      • 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 Panola County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Panola <1>
  • Rusk County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Paxton, with the one closest to Paxton listed first.
    • Caledonia
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caledonia
      • Caledonia is located in Rusk County
    • Concord
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Concord
      • Concord is located in Rusk County
    • Pinehill
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pinehill
      • Pinehill is located in Rusk County
    • Brachfield
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brachfield
      • Brachfield is located in Rusk County
    • Mount Enterprise
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • San Augustine County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Paxton, with the one closest to Paxton listed first.
    • San Augustine
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Denning
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Denning
      • Denning is located in San Augustine County
  • Caddo Parish (LA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Paxton, with the one closest to Paxton listed first.
    • Spring Ridge
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Ridge
      • Spring Ridge is located in Caddo Parish (LA)
    • Bethany
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
  • De Soto Parish (LA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Paxton, with the one closest to Paxton listed first.
    • Logansport
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Logansport have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Logansport
      • Logansport is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,546 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Logansport <1>
    • Stanley
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stanley have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stanley
      • Stanley is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 116 people
    • Longstreet
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Longstreet have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Longstreet
      • Longstreet is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 154 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Longstreet <1>
    • Keachi
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Keachi have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keachi
      • Keachi is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 300 people
    • Screamerville ‑ Historic
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Screamerville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Screamerville
      • Screamerville is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
    • Grand Cane
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • South Mansfield
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for South Mansfield have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Mansfield
      • South Mansfield is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 352 people
    • Gloster
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gloster have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gloster
      • Gloster is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gloster <1>
    • Mansfield
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
    • Stonewall
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Sabine Parish (LA)
    • Converse
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Converse have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Converse
      • Converse is located in Sabine Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 430 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Converse <1>

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

Newspapers Published in Paxton ...

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 60 newspapers that have been published in the area around Paxton.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Paxton, there are papers which were published within 29 miles [46.7 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Paxton.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit 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 Paxton:

Cemeteries Near Paxton ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Paxton.

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

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

  • Lone Oak Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lone Oak Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lone Oak Cemetery
  • Restland Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Restland Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Restland Cemetery
  • Union Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Union Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Union Cemetery
  • North Jericho Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the North Jericho Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the North Jericho Cemetery
  • Truitt Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Truitt Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Truitt Cemetery
  • Cedar Yard Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cedar Yard Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cedar Yard Cemetery
  • Pleasant Grove Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pleasant Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pleasant Grove Cemetery
  • Asbury Chapel Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Asbury Chapel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Asbury Chapel Cemetery
  • Smith Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Smith Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Smith Cemetery
  • Woods Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Woods Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Woods Cemetery
  • Hayden Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hayden Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hayden Cemetery
  • Bobo Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bobo Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bobo Cemetery
  • Continue List   (208 more) ...
    • Smith Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Smith Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Smith Cemetery
    • Blunt Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Blunt Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Blunt Cemetery
    • Henrietta Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Henrietta Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Henrietta Cemetery

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 Paxton in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Paxton.

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

  • Tenaha
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
  • Woods
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woods have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woods
    • Woods is located in Panola County
  • Joaquin
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Joaquin have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joaquin
    • Joaquin is located in Shelby County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 793 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Joaquin <1>
  • Logansport
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Logansport have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Logansport
    • Logansport is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,546 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Logansport <1>
  • Center
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
  • Huber
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Huber have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huber
    • Huber is located in Shelby County
  • Deadwood
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Deadwood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deadwood
    • Deadwood is located in Panola County
  • Timpson
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Timpson have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Timpson
    • Timpson is located in Shelby County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,130 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Timpson <1>
  • Shelbyville
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shelbyville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shelbyville
    • Shelbyville is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Shelbyville <1>
  • Longstreet
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Longstreet have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Longstreet
    • Longstreet is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 154 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Longstreet <1>
  • Short
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Short have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Short
    • Short is located in Shelby County
  • Carthage
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Midyett
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Midyett have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Midyett
      • Midyett is located in Panola County
    • Cook ‑ Historic
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cook have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cook
      • Cook is located in De Soto Parish (LA)
    • Centennial
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Centennial have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Centennial
      • Centennial is located in Panola County

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

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

The official website for State of Texas: https://texas.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>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<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 from Point A (ie- Paxton) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Paxton. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 31.9579, Longitude: -94.1652       In this case, the coordinates for Paxton have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<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 Paxton, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024