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''[[Portal:United States of America|United States of America]]'' '' | ''[[Portal:United States of America|United States of America]]'' ''> United States Maps'' | ||
Maps are used to locate the places where your ancestors lived. They identify political boundaries, names of places, geographical features, cemeteries, churches, and migration routes. Historical maps are especially useful for finding communities that no longer exist. | Maps are used to locate the places where your ancestors lived. They identify political boundaries, names of places, geographical features, cemeteries, churches, and migration routes. Historical maps are especially useful for finding communities that no longer exist. | ||
Maps are available from the National Archives, the Library of Congress, county agencies, and other libraries and historical societies. | Maps are available from the National Archives, the Library of Congress, county agencies, and other libraries and historical societies. | ||
=== Atlases === | == Types of maps and the genealogical problems they solve == | ||
The following information is from ''More than One Kind of Map'', by George G Morgan, Orem, Utah: Ancestry.com, 08 September 2000 [http://learn.ancestry.com/LearnMore/Article.aspx?id=2299 http://learn.ancestry.com/LearnMore/Article.aspx?id=2299] | |||
'''County, Parish, or Province maps '''show roads, cemeteries, landmarks, and physical features. | |||
'''Chamber of commerce maps''', which can usually be obtained for free from city and town chambers of commerce, show streets, government offices, courthouses, libraries, businesses, museum archives, and important landmarks. | |||
'''City and town maps''' show detailed street information, addresses, rail and mass transit routes, and landmarks. | |||
'''City plans''' often demystify the renaming of streets, parks, neighborhoods, and other features. | |||
'''Sanborn insurance maps''' of 12,000 cities and towns yield street names and specific properties and addresses starting in 1867. Using these with city directories can help locate urban ancestors in a given year. | |||
'''Census maps'''. Spelling errors by census takers often make ancestors hard to find. If you know your ancestor's address (or general area of residence in rural areas), census maps showing enumeration district boundaries can indicate where in the census rolls to search for the ancestor. | |||
'''Land maps (cadastral maps) and plat books''' show boundaries of land plots, and usually the owners' names. | |||
'''Topographic or geologic maps''' show terrain, natural resources (forests, mining resources), and features that affected travel (rivers, rapids, canals, mountains, mountain passes, canyons). | |||
'''Military maps''' show extreme detail regarding geographical features, terrain, landmarks, natural resources, place names, and landmarks. | |||
'''Railroad maps''' indicate preferred routes of travel during an era where the routes changed from one year to the next. These also aid in tracking the possible whereabouts of railroad employees since many railroads merged or changed names. | |||
=== Atlases === | |||
An atlas is a bound collection of maps. It often contains historical and geographical information for a county or state. Collections of maps and atlases are available at numerous libraries and historical societies. Many county atlases that show the names of landowners and are usually based on county plat maps (see the "[[United States Land and Property|Land and Property]]") have been published. | An atlas is a bound collection of maps. It often contains historical and geographical information for a county or state. Collections of maps and atlases are available at numerous libraries and historical societies. Many county atlases that show the names of landowners and are usually based on county plat maps (see the "[[United States Land and Property|Land and Property]]") have been published. | ||
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*[http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whoweare/exhibits/voorhees/ The Alan M. Voorhees Collection] at the Library of Virginia has maps, charts and atlases. The images online are thumbnails rather than usable copies, but larger prints can be ordered. | *[http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whoweare/exhibits/voorhees/ The Alan M. Voorhees Collection] at the Library of Virginia has maps, charts and atlases. The images online are thumbnails rather than usable copies, but larger prints can be ordered. | ||
=== City Ward Maps === | === City Ward Maps === | ||
The Library of Congress has detailed ward maps of major cities. These show the census districts and political divisions of large cities. Valuable finding aids for City Ward maps is on microfilm found at the Family History Library. | The Library of Congress has detailed ward maps of major cities. These show the census districts and political divisions of large cities. Valuable finding aids for City Ward maps is on microfilm found at the Family History Library. | ||
*[http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/ Library of Congress Digitized Map Collection] is a large online collection of digitized maps -- cities and towns, military battles and more. | *[http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/ Library of Congress Digitized Map Collection] is a large online collection of digitized maps -- cities and towns, military battles and more. | ||
*''Ward Maps of United States Cities''<ref>''Ward Maps of United States Cities: Microfilm Reproduction of 232 Maps Described in Ward Maps of United States Cities''. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, [1975?]. (FHL film 1377700; fiche 6016554-782.)</ref> A description of each map and a chart that shows which maps to use with each U.S. census is in: ''Ward Maps of United States Cities: A Selective Checklist of Pre-1900 Maps in the Library of Congress''<ref>Shelley, Michael H. ''Ward Maps of United States Cities: A Selective Checklist of Pre-1900 Maps in the Library of Congress''. Washington, D.C.: Not published 1975. (FHL book 973 A1 no. 99; film 928120 item 16.)</ref> | *''Ward Maps of United States Cities''<ref>''Ward Maps of United States Cities: Microfilm Reproduction of 232 Maps Described in Ward Maps of United States Cities''. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, [1975?]. (FHL film 1377700; fiche 6016554-782.)</ref> A description of each map and a chart that shows which maps to use with each U.S. census is in: ''Ward Maps of United States Cities: A Selective Checklist of Pre-1900 Maps in the Library of Congress''<ref>Shelley, Michael H. ''Ward Maps of United States Cities: A Selective Checklist of Pre-1900 Maps in the Library of Congress''. Washington, D.C.: Not published 1975. (FHL book 973 A1 no. 99; film 928120 item 16.)</ref> | ||
=== Fire Insurance Maps === | === Fire Insurance Maps === | ||
[http://sanborn.umi.com/ Sanborn maps] ($) 1867-1970 have been digitized. This collection has more than 660,000 maps of 12,000+ cities and towns. There is a key to the [http://sanborn.umi.com/HelpFiles/key.html Sanborn Maps] | [http://sanborn.umi.com/ Sanborn maps] ($) 1867-1970 have been digitized. This collection has more than 660,000 maps of 12,000+ cities and towns. There is a key to the [http://sanborn.umi.com/HelpFiles/key.html Sanborn Maps] | ||
=== GPS Coordinates === | === GPS Coordinates === | ||
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*Pennsylvania: Many free, downloadable 19-century PA wall maps and atlases showing landowners have been posted by [http://ancestortracks.com Ancestor Tracks] | *Pennsylvania: Many free, downloadable 19-century PA wall maps and atlases showing landowners have been posted by [http://ancestortracks.com Ancestor Tracks] | ||
==== Boundary Changes ==== | ==== Boundary Changes ==== | ||
*An [http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/48states.html animated map] of the boundaries of the United States and the Several States, shows the states and territories as they formed. A [http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/48states.gif settlement map] is also available. | *An [http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/48states.html animated map] of the boundaries of the United States and the Several States, shows the states and territories as they formed. A [http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/48states.gif settlement map] is also available. | ||
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*The published states of Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania are found in the ''Atlas of Historical County Boundaries'' <ref>Long, John H., editor. [State] ''Atlas of Historical County Boundaries''. New York, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1996-. </ref>The Family History Library has this work, but each volume is cataloged separately. | *The published states of Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania are found in the ''Atlas of Historical County Boundaries'' <ref>Long, John H., editor. [State] ''Atlas of Historical County Boundaries''. New York, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1996-. </ref>The Family History Library has this work, but each volume is cataloged separately. | ||
Also see the "[[United States Historical Geography|'''Historical Geography''']]" page for further help on tracing the histories of counties and their boundaries. | Also see the "[[United States Historical Geography|'''Historical Geography''']]" page for further help on tracing the histories of counties and their boundaries. | ||
==== County Boundaries ==== | ==== County Boundaries ==== | ||
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*The [http://ftp2.census.gov/geo/maps/general_ref/us_base/stco2003/stco2003.pdf US Census Bureau 2003 US State and County Boundries Map]. This is a map that shows the entire United States broken down into counties. You can zoom in and read the county names, even counties in neighboring states. | *The [http://ftp2.census.gov/geo/maps/general_ref/us_base/stco2003/stco2003.pdf US Census Bureau 2003 US State and County Boundries Map]. This is a map that shows the entire United States broken down into counties. You can zoom in and read the county names, even counties in neighboring states. | ||
==== Frontier Boundaries ==== | ==== Frontier Boundaries ==== | ||
*To see how the United States frontiers grew into formal territory, go to a printable map of [http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/territorialacquisition.html United States territorial acquisitions]. | *To see how the United States frontiers grew into formal territory, go to a printable map of [http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/territorialacquisition.html United States territorial acquisitions]. | ||
===Military Maps=== | === Military Maps === | ||
* The [http://digital-library.usma.edu/collections/maps/ | |||
*The [http://digital-library.usma.edu/collections/maps/ USMA Library's Special Collections and Archives] has Civil War Maps, Colonial and Federal Era Maps, Maps of North America from the Colonial, Revolutionary and Federalist eras. | |||
*[http://genealogy.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=genealogy&cdn=parenting&tm=8&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//homepage.floodcity.net/users/mastdog/battlemaps.html Battle maps] Some maps used are from "Battle Maps of the Civil War" by: Harold J. Holmquest. | *[http://genealogy.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=genealogy&cdn=parenting&tm=8&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//homepage.floodcity.net/users/mastdog/battlemaps.html Battle maps] Some maps used are from "Battle Maps of the Civil War" by: Harold J. Holmquest. | ||
=== Plat Maps === | === Plat Maps === | ||
===State Maps=== | The county or town offices that maintain land and property records often have plat books containing maps of property boundaries and land ownership within the county. Also see Land and Property section for information about the federal township plats. [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ Federal Land Patent Records and Associated Survey Plat Maps] has access to federal land conveyance records. A great explanation of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plat Plat Map] is found at Wikipedia. | ||
The US GenWeb is a great resource for maps. | |||
=== State Maps === | |||
The US GenWeb is a great resource for maps. | |||
:*[http://usgwarchives.org/maps/usa/ United States Digital Map Library] from The USGenWeb | :*[http://usgwarchives.org/maps/usa/ United States Digital Map Library] from The USGenWeb | ||
:*[http://usgwarchives.org/maps/table2.html State and County Maps] | :*[http://usgwarchives.org/maps/table2.html State and County Maps] | ||
:*Sixty-seven maps from [http://usgwarchives.org/maps/cessions/ | :*Sixty-seven maps from [http://usgwarchives.org/maps/cessions/ Indian Land Cessions in the United States]. | ||
*[http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/unitedstates.html United States Maps] has maps for each of the individual states, territories and outlying areas. | *[http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/unitedstates.html United States Maps] has maps for each of the individual states, territories and outlying areas. | ||
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/formats/cartographic.html#arc The National Archives—Cartographic Branch]<ref> '''The National Archives''' | *[http://www.archives.gov/research/formats/cartographic.html#arc The National Archives—Cartographic Branch]<ref> '''The National Archives''' <br>841 South Pickett Street | Alexandria, VA 22304</ref> and the [http://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/ Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress] have significant collections of a variety of maps, including land ownership, railroad, and fire insurance maps. Several catalogs and inventories of these collections are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under UNITED STATES - MAPS - BIBLIOGRAPHY. | ||
=== Topography === | === Topography === | ||
[http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/usgsmaps/usgsmaps.html Topographical maps] show physical and man-made features, such as creeks, hills, roads, cemeteries, and churches. | [http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/usgsmaps/usgsmaps.html Topographical maps] show physical and man-made features, such as creeks, hills, roads, cemeteries, and churches. | ||
*The United States has been divided into sections called quadrangles by the [http://www.usgs.gov/ United States Geological Survey] <ref>'''U.S. Department of Interior''' | |||
*The United States has been divided into sections called quadrangles by the [http://www.usgs.gov/ United States Geological Survey] <ref>'''U.S. Department of Interior''' <br>Geological Survey <br>1200 South Eads Street | Arlington, VA 22202</ref>. The USGS has produced highly detailed topographical maps showing physical and manmade features in each quadrangle. These maps are available at most university libraries<ref>United States. Geological Survey. ''Topographic Maps of the United States.'' Scale varies. Suitland, Maryland: National Archives and Records Service, 1976-. (FHL films 1433631-921.) </ref> | |||
*[http://www.mass.gov/mgis/im_quad.htm Topographic Quadrangles] of the United States maps were originally published from 1884 to 1983. The maps are arranged by the name of the quadrangle within each state. States are not in alphabetical order. <ref>Moffat, Riley Moore. ''Map Index to Topographic Quadrangles of the United States, 1882-1940''. Occasional paper: Western Association of Map Libraries, number 10. Santa Cruz, California: Western Association of Map Libraries, 1986. (FHL Ref book 973 E72m.)</ref> Use a state map to find the quadrangle number. Then find the number in the state's map list to learn the name of the quadrangle. | *[http://www.mass.gov/mgis/im_quad.htm Topographic Quadrangles] of the United States maps were originally published from 1884 to 1983. The maps are arranged by the name of the quadrangle within each state. States are not in alphabetical order. <ref>Moffat, Riley Moore. ''Map Index to Topographic Quadrangles of the United States, 1882-1940''. Occasional paper: Western Association of Map Libraries, number 10. Santa Cruz, California: Western Association of Map Libraries, 1986. (FHL Ref book 973 E72m.)</ref> Use a state map to find the quadrangle number. Then find the number in the state's map list to learn the name of the quadrangle. | ||
*You can purchase copies of topographical maps from the [http://www.doi.gov/ U.S. Department of the Interior] <ref>'''U.S. Department of the Interior''' | *You can purchase copies of topographical maps from the [http://www.doi.gov/ U.S. Department of the Interior] <ref>'''U.S. Department of the Interior'''<br>Geological Survey<br>507 National Center | Reston, VA 20192<br>Telephone: 800-USA-MAPS (toll free)<br>Telephone: 703-648-6045 (local) </ref> | ||
=== Research helps === | === Research helps === | ||
The [[The Family History Library|Family History Library]] has a small collection of loose maps of historical value, and a fine collection of printed historical atlases. These are listed in the Place Search of the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] under: | The [[The Family History Library|Family History Library]] has a small collection of loose maps of historical value, and a fine collection of printed historical atlases. These are listed in the Place Search of the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] under: | ||
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*The ''The Map Catalog'' has information about maps and how to obtain them.<ref>Madower, Joel, editor. ''The Map Catalog''. New York, New York: Vintage Books, 1986. (FHL book 973 E73ma.)</ref> | *The ''The Map Catalog'' has information about maps and how to obtain them.<ref>Madower, Joel, editor. ''The Map Catalog''. New York, New York: Vintage Books, 1986. (FHL book 973 E73ma.)</ref> | ||
=== Reference=== | === Reference === | ||
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