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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 McLean (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 McLean. 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 and hospitals 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.

McLean is located in Fairfax 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 Fairfax County: Charles (MD), Montgomery (MD), Prince George's (MD), Arlington, Falls Church City, Loudoun & Prince William.

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

  • Fairfax County     (The home county of McLean)
    • The following are listed by their distance from McLean, with the one closest to McLean listed first.
    • Salona Village
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Salona Village is located in Fairfax County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salona Village
    • Langley
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Pimmit Hills
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Pimmit Hills is located in Fairfax County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pimmit Hills
    • Dunn Loring
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Idylwood
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Idylwood is located in Fairfax County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Idylwood
    • Ash Grove
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Ash Grove is located in Fairfax County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ash Grove
    • Tysons Corner
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Jefferson Village
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
      • Jefferson Village is located in Fairfax County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jefferson Village
    • Jefferson
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
      • Jefferson is located in Fairfax County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jefferson
    • Seven Corners
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Merrifield
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Kenmore
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Shouse Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
      • Shouse Village is located in Fairfax County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shouse Village
  • Alexandria City
    • The following are listed by their distance from McLean, with the one closest to McLean listed first.
    • Arlandria
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Oakcrest
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Chinquapin Village
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Chinquapin Village is located in Alexandria City
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chinquapin Village
    • Warwick Village
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Warwick Village is located in Alexandria City
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warwick Village
    • Alexandria
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Arlington County
    • The following are listed by their distance from McLean, with the one closest to McLean listed first.
    • Williamsburg Village
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Williamsburg Village is located in Arlington County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Williamsburg Village
    • Garden City
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Garden City is located in Arlington County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden City
    • Cherrydale
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Riverwood
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Arlington
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Brandon Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
      • Brandon Village is located in Arlington County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brandon Village
    • Buckingham
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Colonial Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
      • Colonial Village is located in Arlington County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colonial Village
    • Lyon Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
      • Lyon Village is located in Arlington County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyon Village
    • Arlington Village
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Arlington Village is located in Arlington County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arlington Village
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier County
  • Loudoun County
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
    • Manassas Park
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
  • Prince William County
    • The following are listed by their distance from McLean, with the one closest to McLean listed first.
    • Yorkshire Village
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Yorkshire Village is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yorkshire Village
    • Yorkshire
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Yorkshire is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yorkshire
    • Lake Ridge
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Agnewville
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Marumsco Village
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Marumsco Village is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marumsco Village
    • Woodbridge
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Buckhall
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Loch Lomond
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Loch Lomond is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loch Lomond
    • Sudley
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Sudley is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sudley
    • Iron Gate
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Iron Gate is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Iron Gate
    • West Gate
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • West Gate is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Gate
    • Bataan Village
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Bataan Village is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bataan Village
    • Bull Run
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Bull Run is located in Prince William County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bull Run
  • Anne Arundel County (MD)
    • The following are listed by their distance from McLean, with the one closest to McLean listed first.
    • Maryland City
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Maryland City is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maryland City
    • Annapolis Junction
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Crofton Village Green
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Crofton Village Green is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crofton Village Green
    • Crofton
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Crofton is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crofton
    • Stonegate Village
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Stonegate Village is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stonegate Village
    • Geraghty Village
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Geraghty Village is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Geraghty Village
    • Jessup
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Crofton Village
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Crofton Village is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crofton Village
    • Odenton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Gambrills
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
    • Hidden Village
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Hidden Village is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hidden Village
    • Dorsey
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Dorsey is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dorsey
    • Lake Village
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Lake Village is located in Anne Arundel County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Village
  • Carroll County (MD)
  • Charles County (MD)
    • The following are listed by their distance from McLean, with the one closest to McLean listed first.
    • Bryans Road
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • South Hampton Village
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
      • South Hampton Village is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Hampton Village
    • Potomac Heights
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Potomac Heights is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Potomac Heights
    • Riverview Village
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Riverview Village is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverview Village
    • Freedom Village
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
      • Freedom Village is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freedom Village
    • Indian Head
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
    • Pomonkey
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
    • Bennsville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Bennsville is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bennsville
    • Marbury
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Marbury is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marbury
    • Acton Village
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Acton Village is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Acton Village
    • Mattawoman Village
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
      • Mattawoman Village is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mattawoman Village
    • Pomfret
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • Mattawoman
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Mattawoman is located in Charles County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mattawoman
  • Frederick County (MD)
  • Howard County (MD)
  • Montgomery County (MD)
    • The following are listed by their distance from McLean, with the one closest to McLean listed first.
    • Brookmont
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Brookmont is located in Montgomery County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brookmont
    • Cabin John
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Glen Echo
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Landon Village
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Landon Village is located in Montgomery County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Landon Village
    • Somerset
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Somerset is located in Montgomery County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Somerset
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,259 people
    • Bethesda
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Bradmoor
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Chevy Chase Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Chevy Chase Village is located in Montgomery County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chevy Chase Village
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,050 people
    • Chevy Chase
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • English Village
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • English Village is located in Montgomery County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for English Village
    • Georgetown Village
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
      • Georgetown Village is located in Montgomery County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Georgetown Village
    • Chevy Chase Section Five
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Chevy Chase Section Five is located in Montgomery County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chevy Chase Section Five
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 702 people
    • Chevy Chase Section Three
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Chevy Chase Section Three is located in Montgomery County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chevy Chase Section Three
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 794 people
  • Prince George's County (MD)
    • The following are listed by their distance from McLean, with the one closest to McLean listed first.
    • Chillum
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Brentwood
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Brentwood is located in Prince George's County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brentwood
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,439 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Brentwood <1>
    • Langley Park
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
    • Mount Rainier
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
    • Colmar Manor
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Colmar Manor is located in Prince George's County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colmar Manor
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,458 people
    • Cottage City
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Cottage City is located in Prince George's County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottage City
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,355 people
    • Hyattsville Hills
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Hyattsville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Hyattsville is located in Prince George's County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hyattsville
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 18,217 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hyattsville <1>
    • North Brentwood
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • North Brentwood is located in Prince George's County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Brentwood
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 549 people
    • University Park
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • University Park is located in Prince George's County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for University Park
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,628 people
    • Adelphi
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Forest Heights
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Forest Heights is located in Prince George's County (MD)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Heights
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,558 people
    • Bladensburg
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)

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

Cemeteries Near McLean ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of McLean.

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

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

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

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.<3>

While we didn't find McLean in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of McLean.

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

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

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of McLean ...

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 4 newspapers that have been published in the area around McLean.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of McLean. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of McLean and those printed in the larger area surrounding McLean.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 3 miles [4.8 km]<4> of McLean.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer 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 McLean:

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>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 McLean, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- McLean) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.