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 Plainview (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 Plainview. 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 southeast 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 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 east 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.
Plainview is located in Roanoke 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 Roanoke County: Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin & Montgomery.
Below are the counties that are near Plainview. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Plainview:
- Roanoke County (The home county of Plainview)
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Hanging Rock
(Less than 2 miles to the west)
- Hanging Rock is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hanging Rock
- Mason Cove
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
- Mason Cove is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mason Cove
- Hollins
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Catawba
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Cave Spring
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Cave Spring is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cave Spring
- Vinton
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Moomaw ‑ Historic
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Moomaw is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moomaw
- Wabun
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
- Wabun is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wabun
- Montgomery Village
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Montgomery Village is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montgomery Village
- Riverside
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Riverside is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverside
- Bent Mountain
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
- Alleghany County
- Rich Patch
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
- Rich Patch is located in Alleghany County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rich Patch
- Bedford City
- Bedford
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Bedford County
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Villamont
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
- Villamont is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Villamont
- Montvale
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
- Chamblissburg
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Chamblissburg is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chamblissburg
- Coonsville ‑ Historic
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)
- Coonsville is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coonsville
- Goodview
(18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
- Clevilas ‑ Historic
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
- Clevilas is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clevilas
- Joppa Mill
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Joppa Mill is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joppa Mill
- Moneta
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Davis Mill
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
- Davis Mill is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Davis Mill
- Radford
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Radford is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Radford
- Peaksville
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
- Peaksville is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peaksville
- Botetourt County
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Runaway Village
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Runaway Village is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Runaway Village
- Apple Tree Village
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Apple Tree Village is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Apple Tree Village
- Cloverdale
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Daleville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Laymantown
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Laymantown is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laymantown
- Amsterdam
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Amsterdam is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amsterdam
- Haymakertown
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Haymakertown is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haymakertown
- Troutville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Blue Ridge
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Fincastle
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Botetourt ‑ Historic
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Botetourt is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Botetourt
- Lithia
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- Lithia is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lithia
- Craig County
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Abbott
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Abbott is located in Craig County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abbott
- New Castle
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
- Simmonsville
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Simmonsville is located in Craig County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Simmonsville
- Huffman
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Huffman is located in Craig County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huffman
- Captain
(23 miles [37 km] to the west)
- Captain is located in Craig County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Captain
- Floyd County
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Simpsons
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Simpsons is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Simpsons
- Terrys Fork
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Terrys Fork is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Terrys Fork
- Pizarro
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Pizarro is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pizarro
- Sowers
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Sowers is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sowers
- Poff
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Poff is located in Floyd County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Poff
- Franklin County
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Boones Mill
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
- Algoma
(18 miles [29 km] to the south)
- Algoma is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Algoma
- Burnt Chimney
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Burnt Chimney is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burnt Chimney
- Gogginsville
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
- Gogginsville is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gogginsville
- Hickman
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
- Hickman is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickman
- Villa ‑ Historic
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Villa is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Villa
- Hales Ford ‑ Historic
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Hales Ford is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hales Ford
- Westlake Corner
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
- Westlake Corner is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westlake Corner
- Rocky Mount
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Felicia ‑ Historic
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Felicia is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Felicia
- Barfoot
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Barfoot is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barfoot
- Redwood
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Redwood is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redwood
- Giles County
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Newport
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Newport is located in Giles County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newport
- Kire
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Kire is located in Giles County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kire
- Mountain Lake
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Mountain Lake is located in Giles County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Lake
- Montgomery County
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Elliston
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
- Shawsville
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Bennetts Mill
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
- Bennetts Mill is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bennetts Mill
- Alleghany Springs
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- Alleghany Springs is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alleghany Springs
- Montgomery
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
- Montgomery is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montgomery
- Ellett
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Ellett is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ellett
- Mount Tabor Village
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Mount Tabor Village is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Tabor Village
- Houchins
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
- Houchins is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Houchins
- Blacksburg
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- McBryde Village
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- McBryde Village is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McBryde Village
- Sundance Village
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Sundance Village is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sundance Village
- Merrimac
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Merrimac is located in Montgomery County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Merrimac
- Roanoke City
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Roanoke
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Buena Vista
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
- Buena Vista is located in Roanoke City
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buena Vista
- Garden City
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Garden City is located in Roanoke City
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden City
- Salem City
- The following are listed by their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Sunset Village
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Sunset Village is located in Salem City
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunset Village
- Salem
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Monroe County (WV)
- Hollywood
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
- Hollywood is located in Monroe County (WV)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hollywood
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Plainview, see our County-by-County Page for Plainview.
Cemeteries Near Plainview ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Plainview.
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 Plainview - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Plainview covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Harris Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Loury Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Cedar Lawn Burial Park
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Peters Creek Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- East Hill Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Sherwood Burial Park
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sherwood Burial Park
- The Sherwood Burial Park has also been known as:
- Sherwood Cemetery
- Sherwood Memorial Park
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #728583 <2>
- St. Andrews Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Williams Memorial Park
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
- Jonathan Tosh Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
- West Hill Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Church Hill Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
- Fairview Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairview Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the Fairview Cemetery is located in Roanoke.
- The Fairview Cemetery has also been known as:
- Fairview Cemetery
- Continue List (652 more) ...
- Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Obenchain Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Cain Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
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 Plainview in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Plainview.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Plainview, with the one closest to Plainview listed first.
- Hollins
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Roanoke
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
- Cave Spring
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
- Cave Spring is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cave Spring
- Catawba
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Vinton
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Cloverdale
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
- Moomaw ‑ Historic
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Moomaw is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moomaw
- Poages Mill
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Poages Mill is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Poages Mill
- Bonsack
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Bonsack is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bonsack
- Daleville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Coyner Springs
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Coyner Springs is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coyner Springs
- Amsterdam
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Amsterdam is located in Botetourt County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Amsterdam
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Abbott
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
- Abbott is located in Craig County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abbott
- Leslie
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
- Leslie is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leslie
- Troutville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Plainview. See our List of 1890's Communities around Plainview.
Newspapers Published in Plainview ...
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 20 newspapers that have been published in the area around Plainview.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Plainview, there are papers which were published within 2 miles [3.2 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Plainview.
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 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 Plainview:
- Websites specific to Virginia
- Pages specific to Roanoke County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Alleghany County
- Bedford City
- Bedford County
- Botetourt County
- Craig County
- Floyd County
- Franklin County
- Giles County
- Montgomery County
- Roanoke City
- Salem City
- Monroe 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> | 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 Plainview, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a '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- Plainview) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |