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 Bells Beach (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 Bells Beach. 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.
Name Variations for Bells Beach ...
When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.
Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might occur.
- A typical abbreviation for Bells Beach: Bells Bch.
- While the name of this community is Bells Beach, be aware that it's the common practice of mapmakers to remove the apostrophe from possessive names<1>. So Bells Beach may originally have been Bell's Beach.
Sometimes the trailing 's' might be dropped altogether, in which case Bells Beach might be written as Bell Beach.
If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.
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 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 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.
Bells Beach is located in Island County.
To see how the shape of Washington's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Island County: Jefferson, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit & Snohomish.
Below are the counties that are near Bells Beach. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Bells Beach:
- Island County (The home county of Bells Beach)
- The following are listed by their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- Camp Diana
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- Camp Diana is located in Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Camp Diana
- Langley
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Bay View
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
- Bay View is located in Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bay View
- Freeland
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
- Greenbank
(5 miles [8 km] to the west)
- Camano
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
- Clinton
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
- Juniper Beach
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Juniper Beach is located in Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Juniper Beach
- Coupeville
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
- San de Fuca
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
- San de Fuca is located in Island County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for San de Fuca
- Oak Harbor
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
- Clallam County
- The following are listed by their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- Blyn
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Blyn is located in Clallam County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blyn
- Port Williams
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
- Port Williams is located in Clallam County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Port Williams
- Bell Hill
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Bell Hill is located in Clallam County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bell Hill
- Sequim
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- River Road
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
- River Road is located in Clallam County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for River Road
- Jefferson County
- The following are listed by their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- Marrowstone
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Nordland
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Port Hadlock
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Port Townsend
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Port Ludlow
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Chimacum
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Irondale ‑ Historic
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Irondale is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irondale
- Port Hadlock - Irondale
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Beaver Valley
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
- Beaver Valley is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaver Valley
- Adelma Beach
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
- Adelma Beach is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Adelma Beach
- Gardiner
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
- Leland
(23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
- Leland is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leland
- Quilcene
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
- King County
- The following are listed by their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- Northwest Snohomish
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
- Northwest Snohomish is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Northwest Snohomish
- Silver Firs
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Silver Firs is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Silver Firs
- Richmond Highlands
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Richmond Highlands is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Richmond Highlands
- Shoreline
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Lake Forest Park
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- North City
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- North City is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North City
- Spring Beach
(23 miles [37 km] to the south)
- Spring Beach is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Beach
- Evergreen
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Evergreen is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Evergreen
- Sheridan Beach
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Sheridan Beach is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sheridan Beach
- Bothell
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Kenmore
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Lake City
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Lake City is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake City
- Day City ‑ Historic
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Day City is located in King County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Day City
- Kitsap County
- The following are listed by their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- Hansville
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
- Port Gamble
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Kingston
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
- Lofall
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
- Lofall is located in Kitsap County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lofall
- Indianola
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
- Poulsbo
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Suquamish
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
- Port Madison
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
- Port Madison is located in Kitsap County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Port Madison
- Keyport
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Pearson
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
- Pearson is located in Kitsap County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pearson
- Rolling Bay
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Rolling Bay is located in Kitsap County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rolling Bay
- Brownsville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Brownsville is located in Kitsap County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brownsville
- Manitou Beach
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
- Manitou Beach is located in Kitsap County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manitou Beach
- Skagit County
- The following are listed by their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- Conway
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Fish Town
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
- Fish Town is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fish Town
- Lake McMurray
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
- Lake McMurray is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake McMurray
- La Conner
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Shelter Bay
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Shelter Bay is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shelter Bay
- Skagit City
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
- Skagit City is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Skagit City
- Swinomish Village
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
- Swinomish Village is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swinomish Village
- Montborne
(23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
- Montborne is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Montborne
- Mount Vernon
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Snee Oosh
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
- Snee Oosh is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Snee Oosh
- Big Lake
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
- Big Lake is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Lake
- Similk Beach
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
- Similk Beach is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Similk Beach
- Lake Cavanaugh
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Lake Cavanaugh is located in Skagit County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Cavanaugh
- Snohomish County
- The following are listed by their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- McKees Beach
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- McKees Beach is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McKees Beach
- Spee-Bi-Dah
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
- Spee-Bi-Dah is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spee-Bi-Dah
- Tulalip Bay
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Tulalip Bay is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tulalip Bay
- Weallup Lake
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
- Weallup Lake is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weallup Lake
- Tulalip
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Tulalip is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tulalip
- Warm Beach
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
- Warm Beach is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warm Beach
- Cathan
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Cathan is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cathan
- Lake Goodwin
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Lake Goodwin is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Goodwin
- John Sam Lake
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- John Sam Lake is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for John Sam Lake
- Priest Point
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
- Priest Point is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Priest Point
- Shaker Church
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
- Shaker Church is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shaker Church
- Florence
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Florence is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florence
- Mukilteo
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Bells Beach, see our County-by-County Page for Bells Beach.
Cemeteries Near Bells Beach ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Bells Beach.
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 Bells Beach - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Bells Beach covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- Mission Beach Cemetery
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
- Sound View Cemetery
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
- Camano Lutheran Cemetery
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Camano Island Pioneer Cemetery
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Hansville Cemetery
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
- Pleasant View Cemetery
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
- Our Saviours Lutheran Church Cemetery
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
- Eglon Cemetery
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
- Marysville Cemetery
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Evergreen Cemetery
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Evergreen Cemetery
- To give a relative sense of its location, the Evergreen Cemetery is a very large cemetery that is located in Everett.
- Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #76779 <3>
- Sunnyside Cemetery
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
- Laurel Grove Cemetery
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Continue List (47 more) ...
- Buena Vista Cemetery
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Cypress Lawn Cemetery
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
- Arlington Municipal Cemetery
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arlington Municipal Cemetery
- The Arlington Municipal Cemetery has also been known as:
- Arlington Cemetery
- Harwood Cemetery
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 Bells Beach in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Bells Beach.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Bells Beach, with the one closest to Bells Beach listed first.
- Langley
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Tulalip
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
- Tulalip is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tulalip
- Mukilteo
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
- Florence
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
- Florence is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florence
- Stanwood
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
- Everett
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Marysville
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Silvana
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- Norman
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
- Norman is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norman
- Coupeville
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
- Port Townsend
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Chimacum
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Port Ludlow
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
- Irondale ‑ Historic
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
- Irondale is located in Jefferson County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irondale
- Lowell
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
- Lowell is located in Snohomish County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lowell
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Bells Beach. See our List of 1890's Communities around Bells Beach.
Newspapers Published in Bells Beach ...
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 86 newspapers that have been published in the area around Bells Beach.
Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Bells Beach, there are papers which were published within 19 miles [30.6 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Bells Beach.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to 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 Bells Beach:
- Websites specific to Washington
- Pages specific to Island County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Clallam County
- Jefferson County
- King County
- Kitsap County
- Skagit County
- Snohomish County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Washington
Footnotes ...
| <1> | It's generally believed that possessive apostrophes are removed to prevent confusion on maps where the apostrophe may be confused with a cartographic symbol. While this is generally true, it's not uncommon to find possessive apostrophes in administrative names (such as towns or counties). |
| <2> | While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program. |
| <3> | 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. |
| <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 Bells Beach, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <5> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Bells Beach) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |