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 Ethel (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 Ethel. 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 hospitals and 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.
Ethel is located in Richmond 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 Richmond County: Essex, Lancaster, Northumberland & Westmoreland.
Below are the counties that are near Ethel. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Ethel:
- Richmond County (The home county of Ethel)
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Tallent Town
(Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
- Tallent Town is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tallent Town
- Warsaw
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Naylors
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Naylors is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Naylors
- Rich Neck
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Rich Neck is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rich Neck
- Newland
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Newland is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newland
- Emmerton
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Emmerton is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emmerton
- Farnham
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Farnham is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farnham
- Simons Corner
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Simons Corner is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Simons Corner
- Downings
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Downings is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Downings
- Simonson
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Simonson is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Simonson
- Caroline County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Central Point
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Central Point is located in Caroline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Central Point
- Sparta
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Sparta is located in Caroline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sparta
- Port Royal
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Samuels Corner
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Samuels Corner is located in Caroline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Samuels Corner
- DeJarnette
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- DeJarnette is located in Caroline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for DeJarnette
- New London
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- New London is located in Caroline County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New London
- Essex County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Tappahannock
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Dunnsville
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
- Bowlers Wharf
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Bowlers Wharf is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowlers Wharf
- Dunbrooke
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Dunbrooke is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dunbrooke
- Layton
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Layton is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Layton
- Lloyds
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Lloyds is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lloyds
- Occupacia
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
- Occupacia is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Occupacia
- Millers Tavern
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Millers Tavern is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millers Tavern
- Minor
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
- Minor is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minor
- Beazley
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Beazley is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beazley
- Loretto
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Loretto is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loretto
- King and Queen County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Contra
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Contra is located in King and Queen County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Contra
- Crouch
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
- Crouch is located in King and Queen County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crouch
- Cauthornville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
- Cauthornville is located in King and Queen County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cauthornville
- Cumnor
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Cumnor is located in King and Queen County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cumnor
- Bruington
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Bruington is located in King and Queen County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bruington
- Walkerton
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Walkerton is located in King and Queen County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walkerton
- King and Queen Court House
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- King George County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Shiloh
(23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
- Shiloh is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shiloh
- Alden
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Alden is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alden
- Ninde
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Ninde is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ninde
- Port Conway
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Port Conway is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Port Conway
- Dahlgren
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Edgehill
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Edgehill is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edgehill
- King George
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Hooes
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Hooes is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hooes
- Weedonville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Weedonville is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weedonville
- Arnolds Corner
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Arnolds Corner is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arnolds Corner
- Hampstead
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Hampstead is located in King George County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hampstead
- King William County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Beulahville
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Beulahville is located in King William County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beulahville
- Rumford
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- Rumford is located in King William County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rumford
- Lanesville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Lanesville is located in King William County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lanesville
- Manquin
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Tuck Fork
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Tuck Fork is located in King William County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tuck Fork
- Romancoke
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Romancoke is located in King William County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Romancoke
- Enfield
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Enfield is located in King William County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Enfield
- West Point
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
- Lancaster County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Alfonso
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Alfonso is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alfonso
- Griffins Landing
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Griffins Landing is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Griffins Landing
- Monaskon
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Monaskon is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monaskon
- Merry Point
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Merry Point is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Merry Point
- Ottoman
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Ottoman is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ottoman
- Richtown
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Richtown is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Richtown
- Lankford Corner
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Lankford Corner is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lankford Corner
- Millenbeck
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Millenbeck is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millenbeck
- Kilmarnock
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Weems
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Weems is located in Lancaster County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weems
- Irvington
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Middlesex County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Nesting
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Nesting is located in Middlesex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nesting
- Remlik
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Urbanna
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Saluda
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Northumberland County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Morrisons Corner
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Morrisons Corner is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morrisons Corner
- Lodge
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Lodge is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lodge
- Rainswood
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Rainswood is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rainswood
- Bundick
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Bundick is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bundick
- Coan
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Coan is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coan
- Heathsville
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
- Lara
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Lara is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lara
- Blackwells
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Blackwells is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackwells
- Remo
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Remo is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Remo
- Ophelia
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Reedville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Sunnybank
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Sunnybank is located in Northumberland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunnybank
- Westmoreland County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Nomini Grove
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Nomini Grove is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nomini Grove
- Montross
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Machodoc
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Machodoc is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Machodoc
- Griffiths Corner
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Griffiths Corner is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Griffiths Corner
- Hinnom
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Hinnom is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hinnom
- Chiltons
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
- Chiltons is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chiltons
- Kinsale
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Bryant Town
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Bryant Town is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bryant Town
- Tucker Hill
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Tucker Hill is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tucker Hill
- Baynesville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- Baynesville is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Baynesville
- Leedstown
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
- Leedstown is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leedstown
- Potomac Mills
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
- Potomac Mills is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Potomac Mills
- Calvert County (MD)
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Solomons
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Dowell
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Olivet
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Olivet is located in Calvert County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olivet
- Coster
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Coster is located in Calvert County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coster
- Cove View
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Cove View is located in Calvert County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cove View
- Drum Point
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Drum Point is located in Calvert County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Drum Point
- Charles County (MD)
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Cobb Island
(18 miles [29 km] to the north)
- Rock Point
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Rock Point is located in Charles County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Point
- Mount Victoria
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Mount Victoria is located in Charles County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Victoria
- Morgantown
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
- Morgantown is located in Charles County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morgantown
- Newburg
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Saint Mary's County (MD)
- The following are listed by their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Coltons Point
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Abell
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Avenue
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Breton Beach
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
- Breton Beach is located in Saint Mary's County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Breton Beach
- Piney Point
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Tall Timbers
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Blakistone
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Blakistone is located in Saint Mary's County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blakistone
- Compton
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Compton is located in Saint Mary's County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Compton
- Bushwood
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Milestown
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
- Milestown is located in Saint Mary's County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Milestown
- Drayden
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Valley Lee
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- Valley Lee is located in Saint Mary's County (MD)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Lee
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Ethel, see our County-by-County Page for Ethel.
Cemeteries Near Ethel ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Ethel.
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 Ethel - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Ethel covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Menokin Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- St. Johns Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Clarksville Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Beulah Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
- New Zion Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
- Cobham Park Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Welcome Grove Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Lyells Chapel Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Ebenezer Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Totuskey Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Potomac Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Rappahannock Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Continue List (146 more) ...
- Jerusalem Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Gibeon Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Emmanuel Cemetery
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
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.<2>
While we didn't find Ethel in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Ethel.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Ethel, with the one closest to Ethel listed first.
- Farmers Fork
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
- Farmers Fork is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farmers Fork
- Warsaw
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Lyells
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
- Lyells is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyells
- Nomini Grove
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Nomini Grove is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nomini Grove
- Naylors
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
- Naylors is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Naylors
- Oldhams
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Oldhams is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oldhams
- Newland
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Newland is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newland
- Tappahannock
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Montross
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Haynesville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Haynesville is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haynesville
- Machodoc
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Machodoc is located in Westmoreland County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Machodoc
- Mount Landing
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Mount Landing is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Landing
- Continue List (16 more) ...
- Brays
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Brays is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brays
- Wares Wharf
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Wares Wharf is located in Essex County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wares Wharf
- Emmerton
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Emmerton is located in Richmond County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emmerton
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Ethel. See our List of 1890's Communities around Ethel.
Newspapers Published in Ethel ...
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 12 newspapers that have been published in the area around Ethel.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Ethel, there are papers which were published within 11 miles [17.7 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Ethel.
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 either 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 Ethel:
- Websites specific to Virginia
- Pages specific to Richmond County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Caroline County
- Essex County
- King and Queen County
- King George County
- King William County
- Lancaster County
- Middlesex County
- Northumberland County
- Westmoreland County
- Calvert County
- Charles County
- Saint Mary's 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> | 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 Ethel, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <3> | 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- Ethel) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |