Several types of maps are useful for genealogists. Some give historical background of the area or show migration routes, such as roads, rivers, and railroads. Topographical maps show physical and man-made features, such as creeks, hills, roads, cemeteries, and churches. Plat and land ownership maps and other types of maps are described in the “Maps” section of the United States Research Outline. Many maps are in published atlases.

Boundary Changes

Two books with maps showing boundary changes in Indiana are:

Long, John H., ed. Indiana: Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, Simon and Schuster Macmillan, 1996. (FHL book 977.2 E3s; computer number 791058.) The counties are in alphabetical order. This book includes territorial and state outline maps for 1800, 1807, 1810, 1815, 1820, 1825, 1830, 1835, 1840, 1845, 1850, 1853, 1860, 1866, and 1870.

Long, John H., ed. Historical Atlas and Chronology of County Boundaries, 1788–1980. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1984. (FHL book 973 E7hL; fiche 6051426–430; computer number 304297.) Volume2 contains Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio on fiche 6051427 (set of 6 fiche), with maps showing when and where each county’s boundaries were changed.

Statewide Atlases

The following are statewide atlases:

New Topographical Atlas and Gazetteer of Indiana: Comprising a Topographical View of the Several Counties of the State, Together with a Railroad Map of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois; an Alphabetical Gazetteer, Giving a Concise Description and the Location of Cities, Villages, Post Offices, Railroad Stations, Landings etc. 1871. Reprint, Evansville, Ind.: Unigraphic, 1975. (FHL Q book 977.245 E3a; film 940201; computer number 251178.) This contains maps showing each county and its townships, including range and township grid lines. This also has an alphabetical gazetteer of towns for 1871.

Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana. Chicago: Baskin, Forster, 1876. (FHL book Q 977.2 E3i; film 465403; computer number 72117.) This contains maps for 1876 that show township and range; county maps; town and city maps that show wards and streets; and maps of roads, railroads, rivers, and streams.

See also William Thorndale and William Dollarhide’s, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790–1920, listed in the “Maps” section of the United States Research Outline.

Franklin, Charles M. Genealogical Atlas of Indiana. Indianapolis: Heritage House, 1985. (FHL book 977.2 E3f; computer number 534684.) This shows county seat changes, evolution of county boundaries, and migration trails.

City Ward Maps

The Family History Library has city ward maps of Indianapolis for the years 1864, 1870, 1874, 1889, and 1898:

Ward Maps of United States Cities: Microfilm Reproduction of 232 Maps Described in Ward Maps of United States Cities. Washington D.C.: Library of Congress, 1975? (FHL film 1377700; fiche 6016655–59; computer number 181937.)

The Indiana Division of the Indiana State Library, the Indiana Historical Society, Indiana University, Ball State University, University of Notre Dame, and Indiana State University all have substantial map collections.

Indiana maps are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

INDIANA- MAPSINDIANA, [COUNTY]- MAPSINDIANA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- MAPS