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 Centerville (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 Centerville. 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 northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the west. 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 west 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.
Centerville is located in Halifax County.
To see how the shape of Virginia's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Halifax County: Caswell (NC), Granville (NC), Person (NC), Campbell, Charlotte, Mecklenburg & Pittsylvania.
Below are the counties that are near Centerville. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Centerville:
- Halifax County (The home county of Centerville)
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Westside Village
(Less than 2 miles to the west)
- Westside Village is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westside Village
- Banister Town
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Banister Town is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Banister Town
- Halifax
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- South Boston
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Clays Mill
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Clays Mill is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clays Mill
- Jones
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- Jones is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jones
- Cluster Springs
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
- Cluster Springs is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cluster Springs
- Omega
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Omega is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Omega
- Crystal Hill
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Crystal Hill is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crystal Hill
- Midway
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Midway is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Midway
- Rodden
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Rodden is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rodden
- Mayo
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Mayo is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mayo
- Aarons Creek
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
- Aarons Creek is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aarons Creek
- Campbell County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Brookneal
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Melrose
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Melrose is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melrose
- Hat Creek
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Hat Creek is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hat Creek
- Gladys
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
- Charlotte County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Wylliesburg
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
- Aspenwall
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Aspenwall is located in Charlotte County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aspenwall
- Abell ‑ Historic
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Abell is located in Charlotte County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abell
- Drakes Branch
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Phenix
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Phenix is located in Charlotte County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Phenix
- Population from the 2020 Census: 211 people
- Rough Creek
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Rough Creek is located in Charlotte County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rough Creek
- Charlotte Court House
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Cullen
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Cullen is located in Charlotte County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cullen
- Danville City
- Danville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Fluvanna County
- Scottsburg
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Madison County
- Beaver Park
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Beaver Park is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaver Park
- Mecklenburg County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Nelson
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Nelson is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nelson
- Orgainville
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Orgainville is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orgainville
- Averett
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Averett is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Averett
- Henrico
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Henrico is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henrico
- Clarksville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Jeffress
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Jeffress is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jeffress
- Shiny Rock
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Shiny Rock is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shiny Rock
- Mill Village
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Mill Village is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mill Village
- Skipwith
(23 miles [37 km] to the east)
- Skipwith is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Skipwith
- Finchley
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Finchley is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Finchley
- Chase City
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Finneywood
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Finneywood is located in Mecklenburg County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Finneywood
- Boydton
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Pittsylvania County
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Henrys Mill
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Henrys Mill is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henrys Mill
- Laurel Grove
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
- Laurel Grove is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laurel Grove
- Riceville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- Riceville is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riceville
- Lucks
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
- Lucks is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lucks
- Java
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Java is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Java
- Markham
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Markham is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Markham
- Kentuck
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Kentuck is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kentuck
- Spring Garden
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Spring Garden is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Garden
- Renan
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Renan is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Renan
- Chalk Level
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Chalk Level is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chalk Level
- Transco Village
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Transco Village is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Transco Village
- Sonans
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Sonans is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sonans
- Sheva
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Sheva is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sheva
- Caswell County (NC)
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Semora
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Milton
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Estelle
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Estelle is located in Caswell County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Estelle
- Blanch
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Leasburg
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Providence
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Providence is located in Caswell County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Providence
- Gatewood
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Gatewood is located in Caswell County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gatewood
- Granville County (NC)
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Wilbourns
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Wilbourns is located in Granville County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilbourns
- Bullock
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Stovall
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Stovall is located in Granville County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stovall
- Population from the 2020 Census: 420 people
- Gela
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Gela is located in Granville County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gela
- Berea
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
- Berea is located in Granville County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berea
- Person County (NC)
- The following are listed by their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- Ceffo
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Ceffo is located in Person County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ceffo
- Concord
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Concord is located in Person County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Concord
- Allensville
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Allensville is located in Person County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allensville
- Hicks Village
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Hicks Village is located in Person County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hicks Village
- Roxboro
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Whitt Town
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Whitt Town is located in Person County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whitt Town
- Roseville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Roseville is located in Person County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roseville
- Allens Level
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Allens Level is located in Person County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allens Level
- Cates
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
- Cates is located in Person County (NC)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cates
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Centerville, see our County-by-County Page for Centerville.
Cemeteries Near Centerville ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Centerville.
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 Centerville - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Centerville covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- The Peaceful Tabernacle Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Halifax Memorial Gardens
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Oak Ridge Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Dan River Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the east)
- Halifax Town Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Five Forks Baptist Church Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Union Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Union UMC Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Glenwood Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
- Ebenezer Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery
- The Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery has also been known as:
- Bethel Cemetery
- Scottsburg Cemetery
- New Bethel Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Continue List (180 more) ...
- Murphy Grove Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Winns Creek Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the north)
- Pleasant Grove Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 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>
While we didn't find Centerville in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Centerville.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Centerville, with the one closest to Centerville listed first.
- South Boston
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Mountain Road
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
- Mountain Road is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Road
- Wolf Trap
(5 miles [8 km] to the east)
- Wolf Trap is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wolf Trap
- Clays Mill
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
- Clays Mill is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clays Mill
- Omega
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Omega is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Omega
- Scottsburg
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Midway
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Midway is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Midway
- Crystal Hill
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Crystal Hill is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crystal Hill
- Hyco
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Hyco is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hyco
- Meadville
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Meadville is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadville
- Turbeville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Turbeville is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Turbeville
- Dryburg
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Dryburg is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dryburg
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Paces
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Paces is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paces
- Mayo
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Mayo is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mayo
- Lennig
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Lennig is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lennig
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Centerville. See our List of 1890's Communities around Centerville.
Newspapers Published in Centerville ...
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 8 newspapers that have been published in the area around Centerville.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Centerville, there are papers which were published within 7 miles [11.3 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Centerville.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These 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 Centerville:
- Websites specific to Virginia
- Pages specific to Halifax County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Campbell County
- Charlotte County
- Danville City
- Fluvanna County
- Madison County
- Mecklenburg County
- Pittsylvania County
- Caswell County
- Granville County
- Person County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Virginia
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> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Centerville) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |
| <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 Centerville, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |