User:Dotxinxoz/USmaps

To learn more about maps in general, go to the  Maps Record Page.

Online Maps

 * David Rumsey Historical Maps Collection
 * Old Maps Online Collection
 * Library of Congress Maps Collection
 * Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library
 * Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
 * Archive.org
 * Harvard University Scanned Maps
 * UWM American Geographical Society Library Digital Map Collection
 * University of California Berkeley Library

Tips for Using Maps
Maps must be used carefully for several reasons: Several types of maps are useful for genealogists. Some give historical background of the area or show migration routes such as roads, rivers, and railroads. Topographical maps show physical features, such as creeks and hills, and man-made features, such as roads, cemeteries, and churches. Plat and land ownership maps and other types of maps are described in United States Maps.
 * There are often several places with the same name. You may want to use a  Gazetteer to help you.
 * The spelling and even names of some towns may have changed since your ancestor lived there.
 * Boundaries changed over time. Use historical maps to understand boundary changes.

For more tips and information on using maps, go to the general Maps Record Page.

Types of Maps
Different types of maps help you in different ways, for example:
 * Historical atlases describe the growth and development of countries, showing boundaries, migration routes, settlement patterns, military campaigns, and other historical information.
 * Road atlases are useful because of the detail they provide.
 * Other types of maps include: parish maps, state maps, tourist maps, topographical maps, and air navigation maps. City maps are extremely helpful when researching in large cities.

To learn more about different types of maps, go to the general Maps Record Page.

Historical Maps Collections
Historical map collections are helpful because they can show you the geography of your ancestor's residence at or around the time they lived there. The following collection is helpful:

The below are collections, many have been digitized.
 * National Atlas of the United States has printable maps.
 * United States Census Bureau State and County Map. This map will allow you to zoom in on any state or county in the United States and read the names of all of the neighboring counties.
 * Map and Geographic Information Center University of Connecticut. University Libraries.
 * The Cartographic Creation of New England University of Southern Maine. 2012 University of Southern Maine
 * Historical Maps$ mytopo.
 * Connecticut State Library,
 * Connecticut Historical Society,
 * Yale University
 * Wesleyan University

Resources
The Family History Library has Connecticut maps for many years. It also has Hartford and New Haven city ward maps dating from 1850 to 1899 ; Hartford, New Haven.