Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920

Thorndale, William

ISBN 10: 0806311886 / ISBN 13: 9780806311883

Published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1998

About this Item

420 pages. Softcover. Light age wear to covers, bump to upper front corner. Scuff to top of text block. Clean and tight copy otherwise. Record # 2231660.

Seller Inventory # 2231660

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920
• Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0806311886
• ISBN 13: 9780806311883
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: None

About this title

Synopsis

The county has always been used as the basic Federal census unit. Genealogical research in the census, therefore, begins with identifying the correct county jurisdictions. This work shows all U.S. county boundaries from 1790 to 1920. On each of the nearly 400 maps the old county lines are superimposed over the modern ones to highlight the boundary changes at ten-year intervals. Also included are (1) a history of census growth; (2) the technical facts about each census; (3) a discussion of census accuracy; (4) an essay on available sources for each state's old county lines; and (5) a statement with each map indicating which county census lines exist and which are lost. Then there is an index listing all present-day counties, plus nearly all defunct counties or counties later re-named. With each map there is data on boundary changes, notes about the census, and locality finding keys. There also are inset maps that clarify territorial lines, a state-by-state bibliography of sources, and an appendix outlining pitfalls in mapping county boundaries. The detail in this work is exhaustive and of such impeccable standards that there is little wonder why this award-winning publication is the number one tool in U.S. census research.

From the Author

This work (one of the top-five best selling genealogy books in America) shows all U.S. county boundaries from 1790 to 1920. On each of the nearly 400 maps the old county lines are superimposed over the modern ones to highlight the boundary changes at ten-year intervals. Also included are: A history of census growth; The technical facts about each census; A discussion of census accuracy; An essay on available sources for each state's old county lines; and a statement with each map indicating which county census manuscripts exist and which are lost. The volume includes an index listing all present-day counties, plus nearly all defunct counties or counties later re-named. With each map there is data on boundary changes, notes about the census, and locality finding keys. There also are inset maps that clarify territorial lines, a state-by-state bibliography of sources, and an appendix outlining pitfalls in mapping county boundaries. Editorial Review: "This guide is far more complete, and also appears to be far more accurate, than anything similar attempted in the past...carefully-drawn, easily-read maps...An informative introduction...every aspect of this work reflects its high quality."--THE NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, Vol. 119, No. 1.