Maps

Maps are visual representations of places through time. Researchers can use maps for insight into how people in different times might have understood their environment. Collections of maps can allow us to see changes in an area over time. 

Researchers may use map alongside other resources to understand more about a person, society or event. Maps can show the detail of a particular lived environment: whether rural or urban; rented or owned; evenwhat sources of income were likely to have been.

Maps are not always accurate, so researchers may need to consider who has drawn up the map, and for what purpose. This can include asking why a map maker focused on particular aspects of a locality, or ignored others. Inaccuracies might reveal contested boundaries, local feuds or social, political or economic prejudices.

Maps are often kept as separate collections, but can also be bound in atlases, or included in guidebooks. Many archives and libraries will hold collections of historic maps of their local area. Special Collections holds the Whitaker Collection of English county atlases and maps published between 1579 and 1901. Digital collections of Ordnance Survey maps can be accessed online through Edina Digimap.

Image credit Leeds University Library