Family Field Trip and Map

The Saturday after Christmas, I'm taking a little family history field trip. I made a custom map of all the places of importance. I thought I'd share it here, in case someone likes the idea for their own family.

My Family Field Trip Map. Click on the blue markers if you want to read a little bit about each spot. I didn't use exact addresses because I'm sharing this with the public, but you get the idea.

I love making custom Google Maps for genealogy. I made another one to mark rural cemeteries in Arkansas. This is a great collaborative tool that can benefit everyone.

All relatives are invited to come along on this trip. Tell my dad if you want to go so he can get a head count. I have no desire to go to Downey, I just threw that one in there.

Also family, if you remember other addresses that should be on here, let me know.

[Edit: I know I'm missing the Fontana address. It's not on any records I have, so that's why it's not on the map. Let me know if you remember the street name, or general area.]

Using Google Maps for Genealogy Road Trips

In preparation for my pending Pope County, Arkansas Ancestral Round-Up, I compiled a list of departed Williamsons (with some Russells, Bowdens, Loves, Hamiltons, Parkers, Brigances and one Fulton to boot). I sorted them by cemetery and made notes so I'd remember their connections to the family tree.

Then I used Google Maps to mark the six cemeteries I'll be visiting in Pope County. The directions I have for some are vague, but just seeing their approximate locations makes me feel confident I can find them.

Google Maps is an excellent collaboration tool for genealogists. Imagine being able to pull up a custom map for Rural County, in AnyState and see where all your ancestral burial grounds are found. People all over the world could work on the same map, marking exact spots where cemeteries, historical markers or special spots are located.

Just think, no more trying to find a cemetery with the directions "several miles east, past the fencepost, on a hill...." All you would have to do is access the map when you needed it.

Once I am sure about the locations of these cemeteries in Pope County are located, I'll release my map to the public. Hopefully others with an interest in Pope County will add to it and all will benefit.

Book Buyin'

In preparation for my Arkansas trip, I ordered an Arkansas Atlas and Gazetteer today. I just have a feeling it will come in handy as we make our way through Pope County. I want to visit a few cemeteries and other locations where the directions aren't exact. I'm hoping this book will help.

I'm also trying to build a little genealogy library of my own, since the books I want to read the most aren't carried by my public library. Along with the Arkansas map, I ordered Professional Genealogy and The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual. I think I'll be happy with both.