Using HistoryGeo.com, I was able to easily create this map on Google maps showing Benjamin Bursley’s residence in relation to those of his sons-in-law, Albert Stanwood and James Smallen.
Okay, it might not be as important as food, water, clothing or shelter, but if you are as into maps and land records as I am, then I’m sure you’ll agree – HistoryGeo.com is one of those “must have” subscriptions. Here’s why:
- HistoryGeo.com takes Arphax Publishing’s superb books, Family Maps series of Land Patent Books and the Texas Land Survey Maps, and allows you to search by surname, or browse by county, to find those who had land purchases indexed either in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management database or the Texas General Land Office database.
- When viewing the digital map on HistoryGeo.com, links are included to the individual land owner’s BLM Document, and <DRUM ROLL>…..a link to the tract of land in Google maps!!!!!
- For under $60, less than the cost of two books, you can have a one-year subscription to access the maps and detail contained in all 500 books published to date.
HistoryGeo.com has an excellent video showing how the site works:
The first day I logged into HistoryGeo.com, I found the homestead of my great-great grandfather, Albert Stanwood, just two and a half miles away from his father-in-law, Benjamin Bursley. Because Albert’s name had been transcribed incorrectly in the BLM database, his patent had not shown up in my searches, but it was clearly visible when viewing the parcel owned by Benjamin. To me, this is the biggest advantage of the maps – being able to visualize the neighbors surrounding an individual.
If this isn’t enough, HistoryGeo.com will be adding an antique maps collection soon. I can’t wait! In the meantime, I’ll be busy enough mapping the homes of my ancestors using this wonderful tool!
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with HistoryGeo.com or Arphax Publishing, and receive no remuneration for promoting their absolutely fabulous site!
