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 Ridgeway (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 Ridgeway. 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 and doctors 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.
Ridgeway is located in Pittsylvania 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 Pittsylvania County: Caswell (NC), Rockingham (NC), Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, Halifax & Henry.
Below are the counties that are near Ridgeway. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Ridgeway:
- Pittsylvania County (The home county of Ridgeway)
- The following are listed by their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- Pittsville
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Pittsville is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pittsville
- Gretna
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Whittles
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Whittles is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whittles
- Whittles has also been known as:
- Whittle's Depot
- Whittle's Station
- Museville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Museville is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Museville
- Brutus
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Brutus is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brutus
- Weal
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Weal is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weal
- Sheva
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Sheva is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sheva
- Sonans
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Sonans is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sonans
- Worlds
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Worlds is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Worlds
- Hurt
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
- Hurt is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hurt
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,211 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hurt <1>
- Chatham
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Chatham is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chatham
- Population from the 2020 Census: 1,413 people
- Chalk Level
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
- Chalk Level is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chalk Level
- Transco Village
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Transco Village is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Transco Village
- Bedford City
- Bedford
(23 miles [37 km] to the north)
- Bedford County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- Huddleston
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Radford
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Radford is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Radford
- Davis Mill
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
- Davis Mill is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Davis Mill
- Moneta
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Clevilas ‑ Historic
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Clevilas is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clevilas
- Joppa Mill
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Joppa Mill is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joppa Mill
- Goodview
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Chamblissburg
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
- Chamblissburg is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chamblissburg
- Coonsville ‑ Historic
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
- Coonsville is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coonsville
- Goode
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Lowry
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
- Lowry is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lowry
- Bellevue
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Bellevue is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bellevue
- Forest
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
- Campbell County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- Leesville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Leesville is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leesville
- Altavista
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Lynch Station
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Lynch Station is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynch Station
- Melrose
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Melrose is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melrose
- Bedford Springs
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Bedford Springs is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bedford Springs
- Yellow Branch
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Yellow Branch is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yellow Branch
- Gladys
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
- Lawyers
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Lawyers is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lawyers
- Timberlake
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Timberlake is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Timberlake
- Powhatan
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
- Powhatan is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Powhatan
- Mount Zion
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Mount Zion is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Zion
- Rustburg
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- Brookneal
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Danville City
- Danville
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Franklin County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- Penhook
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Laprades Mill
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
- Laprades Mill is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laprades Mill
- North Shore
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
- North Shore is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Shore
- Union Hall
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
- Hales Ford ‑ Historic
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Hales Ford is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hales Ford
- Westlake Corner
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
- Westlake Corner is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westlake Corner
- Felicia ‑ Historic
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
- Felicia is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Felicia
- Redwood
(18 miles [29 km] to the west)
- Redwood is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redwood
- Villa ‑ Historic
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
- Villa is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Villa
- Burnt Chimney
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Burnt Chimney is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burnt Chimney
- Rocky Mount
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Sydnorsville
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Sydnorsville is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sydnorsville
- Barfoot
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Barfoot is located in Franklin County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barfoot
- Halifax County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- Cody
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Cody is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cody
- Leda
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
- Leda is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leda
- Sign Rock
(23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
- Sign Rock is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sign Rock
- Rodden
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Rodden is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rodden
- Loftis
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
- Loftis is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loftis
- Nathalie
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Rabat
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Rabat is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rabat
- Elmo
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Elmo is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elmo
- Sutherlin
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Sutherlin is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sutherlin
- Jones
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Jones is located in Halifax County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jones
- Henry County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- Leatherwood
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
- Leatherwood is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leatherwood
- Axton
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
- Laurel Park
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Laurel Park is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laurel Park
- Oak Level
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
- Oak Level is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Level
- Reed Creek Village
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Reed Creek Village is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reed Creek Village
- Chatmoss
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Chatmoss is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chatmoss
- Irisburg
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Irisburg is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irisburg
- Collinsville
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Villa Heights
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
- Villa Heights is located in Henry County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Villa Heights
- Madison County
- Beaver Park
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Beaver Park is located in Madison County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaver Park
- Martinsville City
- Martinsville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
- Roanoke City
- Garden City
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
- Garden City is located in Roanoke City
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden City
- Roanoke County
- The following are listed by their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- Montgomery Village
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Montgomery Village is located in Roanoke County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montgomery Village
- Vinton
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Ridgeway, see our County-by-County Page for Ridgeway.
Cemeteries Near Ridgeway ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Ridgeway.
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 Ridgeway - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Ridgeway covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- New Bethel Church Church of the Brethren
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
- Pullens Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
- Thomas Chapel Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
- Thomas Family Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Pines Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pines Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the Pines Cemetery is located outside and to the south of Gretna.
- Staunton Cemetery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Mt. Zion Burial Park
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
- Adkins Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Carter Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Stone Road Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Blankenship Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Hancock Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Continue List (617 more) ...
- Doss Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Smith Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- King Cemetery
(8 miles [12.9 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 Ridgeway in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Ridgeway.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Ridgeway, with the one closest to Ridgeway listed first.
- Toshes
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Toshes is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Toshes
- Pittsville
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
- Pittsville is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pittsville
- Pullens
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
- Pullens is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pullens
- Brights
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
- Brights is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brights
- Galveston
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
- Galveston is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Galveston
- Dundee
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
- Dundee is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dundee
- Museville
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
- Museville is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Museville
- Whittles
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Whittles is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whittles
- Whittles has also been known as:
- Whittle's Depot
- Whittle's Station
- Kasey
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Kasey is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kasey
- Penhook
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
- Motley
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Motley is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Motley
- Ray
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Ray is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ray
- Continue List (13 more) ...
- Otter View ‑ Historic
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
- Otter View is located in Bedford County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Otter View
- Leesville
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
- Leesville is located in Campbell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leesville
- Worlds
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
- Worlds is located in Pittsylvania County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Worlds
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Ridgeway. See our List of 1890's Communities around Ridgeway.
Newspapers Published in Ridgeway ...
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 16 newspapers that have been published in the area around Ridgeway.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Ridgeway, there are papers which were published within 17 miles [27.4 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Ridgeway.
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 Ridgeway:
- Websites specific to Virginia
- Pages specific to Pittsylvania County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Bedford City
- Bedford County
- Campbell County
- Danville City
- Franklin County
- Halifax County
- Henry County
- Madison County
- Martinsville City
- Roanoke City
- Roanoke 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 Ridgeway, 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' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Ridgeway) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |