Website: Genealogy Resources: Maps

Why maps are important

In genealogical research, maps can provide clues to where our ancestors may have lived and where to look for written records about them.

Using Maps in Genealogy
Handout by the United States Geological Survey on how to use maps in genealogy research.

Cartesius
Plans, maps and aerial photographs of Belgium and Central Africa online. A unique cooperation by the National Geographic Institute, the Royal Library, the State Archives and the Royal Museum for Central Africa.
Cartografia do Brasil (1700-1822)
Historic maps of Brazil. Collection of digital maps from the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal 1700 to 1822. Click on the number of the registro to access the digital image
David Rumsey Historical Map Collections
The David Rumsey Map Collection was started over 35 years ago and contains more than 150,000 maps. The collection focuses on rare 16th through 21st century maps of North and South America, as well as maps of the World, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. The collection includes atlases, globes, wall maps, school geographies, pocket maps, books of exploration, maritime charts, and a variety of cartographic materials including pocket, wall, children's, and manuscript maps. Items range in date from around 1550 to the present.
Library of Congress
Digital maps held by the U.S. Library of Congress
Old Maps Online
OldMapsOnline.org indexes over 400,000 maps from all over the world
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
Contains maps from all over the world. The Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL) Map Collection website is archived as of 2021 and no longer being updated.
Survey of India
Maps from - Survey of India, The National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country under the Department of Science & Technology