Researching your overseas ancestors

A guide to researching ancestors who emigrated to Australia from countries other than the United Kingdom

Using maps for family history research

Chekiang Imperrii Sinarum Provincia Decima [cartographic material]

Nova et accvratissima totivs terrarvm orbis tabvla [cartographic material] / Auctore Ioanne Blaev, MAPS LB 100 A 1664? BLAEU

 

Maps can provide a wealth of information when undertaking genealogical research. They can help you identify boarder and place name changes and can help you identify administrative districts that cover the area where you ancestor lived.

While our Map Collection's strength is primarily in Australian and British maps, a varied collection of maps from other regions is also held. For detailed information on what we hold please go to the Maps for local and family history research guide.

In this research guide you will information on why you should use maps, a page titled Rest of the world which explains how to use gazetteers, atlases and selected online resources for researching other countries. The page Locating places includes a number of useful resources that can be used for locating places that no longer exist or that now have different names.