Maps in the United Kingdom are useful for genealogical research. This territory in northwestern Europe currently consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It does not include the Republic of Ireland, which has its own maps, but it does include Great Britain. Most of the population of the British Isles lives within the United Kingdom.[1]
The United Kingdom is surrounded primarily by bodies of water like the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea, and the Irish Sea. In terms of land, it has a diverse terrain, from rolling hills and lowland plains to rugged or mountainous areas, and it shares a land border with Ireland.
Major cities in the United Kingdom include the capital cities of London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast. Identifying the city or town of origin for your ancestors can be key to finding historical maps and learning more about their background and your family history.
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Historical ContextHistorical Context
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland has been in existence since 1801 to 1927. Ireland became its own country in the 1920s, while Northern Ireland remained with the U.K. The United Kingdom became the first industrialized country and a top world power for most of the 1800s and early 1900s.
The term Britain is confusing, even to those who live there, as it is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym to the U.K. "The British and Irish Isles" is an alternate term that may be used due to sensitivities related to Ireland.[2]
When it comes to maps of the United Kingdom, it is primarily a reference to maps for those four countries mentioned previously: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Isle of Man, a small dependency in the middle geographically, is self-governing and not a part of the United Kingdom.
Where To Find Maps of the United KingdomWhere To Find Maps of the United Kingdom
For modern-day maps of the United Kingdom, the following sources can be used:
- Google Maps: An excellent go-to, especially if you just want to get familiar with a place on the map.
- OpenStreetMap: For an open-sourced alternative, this is an excellent mapping project.
- MAGIC: Interactive geographic-focused maps from the United Kingdom government.
Additional maps, including historical references and atlases, can be found online at these sites:
- Perry-Castañeda Library at the University of Texas: This digital collection is wide-ranging with a mix of historical maps and atlases for the United Kingdom.
- Old Maps Online: These historic maps are great references.
- David Rumsey Map Collection: This is a collection of old maps for all over the world, including the United Kingdom.
- Maps and plans, National Archives: The United Kingdom's National Archive has an extensive collection, but not everything is viewable or accessible online.
- Ordnance Survey Maps for England and Wales: These maps are available through the National Library of Scotland, showing that the United Kingdom's scope includes all three of these countries.
- British Geological Survey: The BGS has rare maps available, such as geological views of the United Kingdom.
See alsoSee also
Explore more about Maps in the United KingdomExplore more about Maps in the United Kingdom
- United Kingdom - Maps by MyHeritage
- Maps and plans: an overview by the National Archives
- Ethnicity map of the United Kingdom by MyHeritage DNA
- Inside the Guide: Exploring UK Historical Maps by The Family History Guide
References
- ↑ United Kingdom. Land. https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom
- ↑ United Kingdom, Mapping Project. https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/United_Kingdom