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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 Backbone (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 Backbone. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

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

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

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

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

Backbone is located in Alleghany County.

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

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Alleghany County: Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Rockbridge, Greenbrier (WV) & Monroe (WV).

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

  • Alleghany County     (The home county of Backbone)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Backbone, with the one closest to Backbone listed first.
    • Moss Run
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moss Run
      • Moss Run is located in Alleghany County
    • Rich Patch
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rich Patch
      • Rich Patch is located in Alleghany County
    • Low Moor
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
    • Selma
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Selma have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Selma
      • Selma is located in Alleghany County
    • Clifton Forge
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
    • Iron Gate
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Iron Gate have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Iron Gate
      • Iron Gate is located in Alleghany County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 352 people
    • Griffith
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Griffith have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Griffith
      • Griffith is located in Alleghany County
  • Bath County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Backbone, with the one closest to Backbone listed first.
    • Greenwood ‑ Historic
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Greenwood have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenwood
      • Greenwood is located in Bath County
    • Carloover
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carloover
      • Carloover is located in Bath County
    • Healing Springs
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Healing Springs
      • Healing Springs is located in Bath County
    • Mitchelltown
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mitchelltown
      • Mitchelltown is located in Bath County
    • Warm Springs
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Bath Alum
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bath Alum have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bath Alum
      • Bath Alum is located in Bath County
  • Botetourt County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Backbone, with the one closest to Backbone listed first.
    • Strom
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Strom have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Strom
      • Strom is located in Botetourt County
    • Haden
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Haden have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haden
      • Haden is located in Botetourt County
    • Glen Wilton
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glen Wilton
      • Glen Wilton is located in Botetourt County
    • Gala
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gala
      • Gala is located in Botetourt County
    • Salisbury
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salisbury
      • Salisbury is located in Botetourt County
    • Fincastle
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
    • Salt Petre Cave
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Salt Petre Cave. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salt Petre Cave
      • Salt Petre Cave is located in Botetourt County
      • Salt Petre Cave has also been known as:
      • Salt Peter Cave
      • Saltpetre
    • Springwood
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springwood
      • Springwood is located in Botetourt County
    • Daleville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Troutville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Lithia
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lithia have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lithia
      • Lithia is located in Botetourt County
  • Covington City
    • Covington
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Covington have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Covington
      • Covington is located in Covington City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,639 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Covington <1>
  • Craig County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Backbone, with the one closest to Backbone listed first.
    • New Castle
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Abbott
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abbott
      • Abbott is located in Craig County
    • Simmonsville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Simmonsville
      • Simmonsville is located in Craig County
    • Captain
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Captain have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Captain
      • Captain is located in Craig County
  • Roanoke County
    • Mason Cove
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mason Cove
      • Mason Cove is located in Roanoke County
  • Greenbrier County (WV)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Backbone, with the one closest to Backbone listed first.
    • Tuckahoe
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tuckahoe
      • Tuckahoe is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
    • Wild Meadow
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wild Meadow
      • Wild Meadow is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
    • White Sulphur Springs
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Anthony
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Anthony
      • Anthony is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
    • Caldwell
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Neola
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Neola
      • Neola is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
    • Clendenenville
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clendenenville
      • Clendenenville is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
    • Lewisburg
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lewisburg
      • Lewisburg is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,766 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lewisburg <1>
    • Frankford
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frankford
      • Frankford is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
    • Spring Creek
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Creek
      • Spring Creek is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
    • Fairlea
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
    • Ronceverte
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
  • Monroe County (WV)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Backbone, with the one closest to Backbone listed first.
    • Hollywood
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hollywood
      • Hollywood is located in Monroe County (WV)
    • Hillsdale
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hillsdale have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillsdale
      • Hillsdale is located in Monroe County (WV)
    • Union
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union
      • Union is located in Monroe County (WV)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 539 people
    • Wolfcreek
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wolfcreek
      • Wolfcreek is located in Monroe County (WV)
  • Pocahontas County (WV)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Backbone, with the one closest to Backbone listed first.
    • Hillsboro
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hillsboro have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillsboro
      • Hillsboro is located in Pocahontas County (WV)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 236 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hillsboro <1>
    • Watoga ‑ Historic
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Watoga have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Watoga
      • Watoga is located in Pocahontas County (WV)
    • Buckeye
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
    • Huntersville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)

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

Newspapers Published in Backbone ...

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 36 newspapers that have been published in the area around Backbone.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Backbone, there are papers which were published within 18 miles [29 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Backbone.

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 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 Backbone:

Cemeteries Near Backbone ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Backbone.

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

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

  • Lewis Tunnel Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lewis Tunnel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lewis Tunnel Cemetery
  • Helmintoller Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Helmintoller Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Helmintoller Cemetery
  • Hoke Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hoke Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hoke Cemetery
  • Carter Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Carter Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Carter Cemetery
  • Cedar Hill Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cedar Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cedar Hill Cemetery
  • Humphries Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Humphries Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Humphries Cemetery
  • Mallow Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mallow Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mallow Cemetery
  • Smith Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
    • 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
  • Catholic Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Catholic Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Catholic Cemetery
  • Rowan Memorial Home Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Rowan Memorial Home Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Rowan Memorial Home Cemetery
  • Simmons Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Simmons Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Simmons Cemetery
  • Dowdy Cemetery
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dowdy Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dowdy Cemetery
  • Continue List   (120 more) ...
    • Hooks Cemetery
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hooks Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hooks Cemetery
    • Mountain View Cemetery
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mountain View Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mountain View Cemetery
    • Rose Hill Cemetery
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Rose Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Rose Hill 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>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that in 1895, Backbone had a post office and railroad service.

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

  • Moss Run
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moss Run
    • Moss Run is located in Alleghany County
  • Alleghany
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alleghany have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alleghany
    • Alleghany is located in Alleghany County
  • Callaghan
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Callaghan have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Callaghan
    • Callaghan is located in Alleghany County
  • Tuckahoe
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tuckahoe
    • Tuckahoe is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
  • Mapledale
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mapledale have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mapledale
    • Mapledale is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
  • White Sulphur Springs
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
  • Sweet Chalybeate
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sweet Chalybeate have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sweet Chalybeate
    • Sweet Chalybeate is located in Alleghany County
  • Alvon
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Alvon have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alvon
    • Alvon is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
  • Mallow
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mallow have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mallow
    • Mallow is located in Alleghany County
  • Potts Creek
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Potts Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Potts Creek
    • Potts Creek is located in Alleghany County
  • Sweet Springs
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sweet Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sweet Springs
    • Sweet Springs is located in Monroe County (WV)
  • Glace
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Glace have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glace
    • Glace is located in Monroe County (WV)
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Sue
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sue have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sue
      • Sue is located in Greenbrier County (WV)
    • Caldwell
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Rich Patch
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rich Patch
      • Rich Patch is located in Alleghany County

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

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

The official website for Alleghany County: www.co.alleghany.va.us/

The official website for State of Virginia: https://www.virginia.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 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Backbone) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Backbone. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 37.7732, Longitude: -80.1553       In this case, the coordinates for Backbone 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 Backbone, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024