Maps are an important source for locating places where your ancestors lived. They identify political boundaries, names of places, geographical features, cemeteries, synagogues and churches, and migration routes. Historical maps are especially useful for finding communities that no longer exist and for understanding boundary changes.

Maps are published separately or in collections called atlases. Maps may also be included in gazetteers, guidebooks, local histories, directories, and history books.

Different types of maps will help you several ways:

• Historical atlases describe the development of countries. They show boundaries, migration routes, settlement patterns, military campaigns, and other historical information.
• Topographical maps show elevations and include physical and manmade features.
• Road atlases show a lot of detail.
• Ordinance maps show specific areas of a country in great detail.
• City or street maps are useful in researching large cities, such as Berlin, London, or Minsk.
  

If there is a research outline for the country or state where your ancestor lived, see the “Maps” section of the outline.