How to Track Your Ancestors Through Boundary Changes

When tracing your family history, boundary changes can be one of the most challenging obstacles. The places your ancestors lived might have been part of different counties, states, or even countries over time. This can complicate your search for records, but with the right tools, you can navigate these changes effectively.

In this blog post, you’ll learn about an invaluable online resource for this…the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries from the Newberry Library (physically located in Chicago).

When we decide on an ancestral line to research we eventually get back to a time where boundaries changed, sometimes rapidly. New counties or states emerged from old. Your ancestors often stayed put; it was the boundaries that changed.

Let’s take a look at why boundary changes are important to us and see an example.

Why Boundary Changes Matter in Genealogy

Boundaries have shifted for different reasons over time: political changes, wars, land grants, and administrative decisions, to name a few. These changes can make it difficult to locate records because an area that was once in one county might now be in another. Knowing this is important because…

• Records May Be Misplaced: Records you need may be located in a different jurisdiction due to boundary changes.
• Name Variations: The names of places can change along with their boundaries. That can be confusing.
• Administrative Differences: Different administrations may have maintained records differently. This impacts where and how records are stored.

The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries

The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries is a wonderful resource that provides detailed maps and information about the boundary changes of every county in the United States. Genealogists need this tool because it

• Provides Detailed Maps: You can visually see how county boundaries have changed over time.
• Includes Change Descriptions: Each change is documented with descriptions, dates, and sources.
• Offers Downloadable Data: You can download GIS data, which can be used in various mapping software. You can also download this information as a KMZ file which is used in Google Earth, or as a PDF.

How to Use the Atlas for Genealogy Research

Step 1: Accessing the Atlas

The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries is available online for free. Here’s how:

Visit the Newberry Library Website: Go to the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries page. Here’s what it looks like:

Select Your State: Click on the state where your ancestors lived.

For example, here’s the top portion of the Maine page:

Explore the Maps: You’ll find interactive maps showing the historical county boundaries. You’ll want to click on each link and play around with what’s offered.

Step 2: Identifying Relevant Time Periods

To use the Atlas effectively, you need to know the approximate time period when your ancestors lived in a particular area. Here’s what to do:

1. Gather Basic Information: Collect as much information as possible about your ancestors, including dates and locations.
2. Identify Time Frames: Determine the specific years of interest for each ancestor.

Step 3: Analyzing Boundary Changes

Once you have your time frames, use the Atlas to analyze the boundary changes:

1. Select the Time Period: Use the timeline feature on the Atlas to select the specific time period.
2. Compare Maps: Look at the maps before and after the time period to see how boundaries shifted.
3. Note Changes: Take notes on any significant changes that could affect where records might be found.

Step 4: Locating Records

With the information from the Atlas, you can now focus on locating records:

1. Identify Jurisdictions: Determine the county or state that had jurisdiction over the area during the time period you’re interested in.
2. Search Archives: Check the archives or repositories for those jurisdictions. This might include state archives, county courthouses, or local historical societies.
3. Check Multiple Locations: If boundaries changed significantly, be prepared to check multiple locations for records.

Practical Examples

Example 1: Finding a Birth Record

Suppose your great-great-grandmother was born in a town that is now in a different county. Here’s how you can track it:

1. Identify the Birth Year: Let’s say she was born in 1875.
2. Check the Atlas: Look at the county boundaries in 1875.
3. Note Changes: If the town was in County A in 1875 but is now in County B, you’ll need to search for birth records in County A’s archives.

Example 2: Tracking Land Ownership

If your ancestor owned land that crossed changing boundaries, finding deeds can be tricky:

1. Identify Ownership Period: Assume your ancestor owned the land from 1850 to 1900.
2. Examine Boundary Changes: Use the Atlas to see how the county lines changed during that period.
3. Locate Deeds: Check the deed records in all counties that had jurisdiction over the land during those years.

An Example from My Family

I have been researching my Enoch ancestors. Many of them lived in what is now Hampshire County, West Virginia. That county, however, was once part of Virginia. Let’s see what that looks like using the Atlas.

West Virginia became a state on 20 June 1863. The description tells me the parent state was Virginia. So I go to the Virginia map and this is what I see for Hampshire County:

For any records I may need in Hampshire County before June 1863, I would have to look in Virginia archives, not West Virginia.

I also think it’s helpful to see the entire list of boundary changes for the county you are researching. From the home page of the Atlas, choose your state and then “View Individual County Chronologies.” Here’s the timeline for Hampshire County:

Tips for Using the Atlas Effectively

• Cross-Reference Other Maps: Use other historical maps with the Atlas to get a bigger picture.
• Document Everything: Keep detailed notes, including map information and dates.
• Be Patient: Boundary changes are messy. Take your time to understand what they mean.

Additional Resources

Here are some addition resources you may find helpful:

• FamilySearch Wiki: Offers detailed information on county histories and boundary changes.
• Library of Congress Maps: Provides a huge collection of historical maps.
• Local Historical Societies: Often have maps and documents not available online.

Finally

Tracking ancestors through boundary changes can be challenging, but with the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, you have a powerful tool to use. By understanding how and when boundaries shifted, you can locate the right jurisdictions and find the records you need.

Genealogy tip: Using a timeline and research log is especially important if you are tracking many boundary changes. Organization is key to finding records. For tips on making a timeline, check out my blog here.

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