Maps!

Maps are an underutilized research resource by many genealogists and family history researchers. There are several ways that historical maps can help us find our ancestors.  Some are: location of property for landowners; locations of county seats; changes in county and city boundaries; boundaries of enumeration districts used for census record locating; city and town name changes and other historical information.

Much of the information in old maps can guide the researcher when researching other types of records.  Finding the accurate location of land, knowing the accurate name of a county or city/town at the time that the records are being researched; knowing the enumeration district to help find a census record for the intended ancestor - these are all aided by getting historic maps for the dates of interest.

Not only that, but old maps are great fun, and are not limited to boring black and white diagrams.  Many are colorful and quite artistic adding a nice flavor to our research.

It is important to a complete research that one attempts to understand the environment that surrounds our ancestors' lives if one wants to truly appreciate where they lived. And maps are an important ingredient for that understanding.

Below is a list of links directly to online map sites, some informational articles that provide guidance as to how to find and analyze old maps, as well as other articles that contain links to individual states and other jurisdictions.  Please note that some of the sites are free and some require payment in order to download or obtain a print of these historic maps.

Please note that any article that includes links to free or other map collection sites are accurate at the time of publication. Collection updates may occur (as well as dead links) in the future, both of which are out of my control. It is not the intention of the author (me) to maintain a complete or constantly updated list for all time. In other words, please don't yell at me if this is not 100% complete and/or accurate forever.


Miscellaneous Articles and Sites About the Whys, Where, and Hows of Map Research:




Links to Collections from Around the World:
United States
General  and Multi-State Sites

State Articles

Special Collections