Tutorial - Walking with your Ancestors - mapping strategies

Sophie will make a case for why maps should lie right at the heart of the genealogical research process. She will survey the types of map available to researchers and demonstrate how they can support sound critical thinking in family history investigations. The focus will be on two main mapping techniques. In the first Sophie will show how address data from residential and occupational locations can build a picture of an individual’s day-to-day network and to identify 'outlier points' which can indicate either an unusual story, or a case of mistaken identity. In the second method, she will take you on virtual “walks with our ancestors” in order to better understand the world in which they lived. As well as encouraging an integrated understanding of an individual within their local environment, this approach can also help in identifying new sources of information to pursue as we develop our impression of an ancestor’s narrative. Methods and resources will focus predominantly on the 19th and 20th centuries with examples from across England, although the techniques can be applied to earlier eras and other locations too.

Our online tutorials provide guidance on a broad range of topics. They are open to everyone.

In order to be able to join the tutorial you will need access to ZOOM. Prior to the Tutorial you will be sent a unique ID and password.

Please allow for two hours for the session, including joining and discussions

The numbers are limited. If the bookings are full, please contact the registrar@ihgs.ac.uk as new dates will be added.