12.3 Maps

Historical maps are extremely helpful because they are a visual image tied to the time that is being researched. Using an address from a census combined with a historical map could become an interesting graphic element to include in a report, but a savvy researcher may also be able to use the map from that time to determine the closest places where the family’s life events unfolded. Knowing which are the closest schools and churches can help the historian focus searches on the most likely places where key events took place. If the researcher knows the occupation of a person, they could use a historical map to identify possible places of employment. This may lead to more records, like employment documents, advertisements, newspaper articles, and more.

City directories and phone books can also be used with maps to make new discoveries. Use them in tandem to make a research report more interesting and clearly communicate where someone lived, what property they owned, where they traveled, and more. Maps are also a great addition to military record research or quickly showing where historical events happened that influenced the research subjects.

Community and university libraries may have map collections, and many subscribe to digital map services. Work with a librarian to discover what map resources are available. If the area of research is local, a recorder’s office could have plat maps. Other government offices may also have useful maps showing boundaries and how they changed over time.