English Jurisdictions 1851
is a free mapping and research tool created by FamilySearch
and available at maps.familysearch.org. The Geographic Information System (GIS) visually displays parish maps of the 40 counties in England (not Wales, Scotland or Ireland, unfortunately) in Google Maps, accessible either by selecting a location on the map, or searching for a jurisdiction of interest. This isn't just a map, however -- it also simplifies research by consolidating data from many finding aids into a single searchable repository. More information about the sources that went into building this GIS can be found under the "Works Referenced" and "Glossary" tabs on the Help page.
England Jurisdictions 1851 is easy to use and there are instructions about using the resource should you have problems. Just double-click to zoom in on the physical map or use the search box to find your location of interest. If you are unable to locate a specific place of interest, then search for the next largest jurisdiction (city or county) and then select your parish or other location from the location list in the left-hand column. Zooming in and out on the map takes you from a general view of counties in England to a close-up view of parishes in a county.
Once you have narrowed your search, selecting a jurisdiction will bring up an information box, with details such as what type the place is (ancient parish, chapelry, ecclesiastical parish, etc.), plus the earliest available date of extant parish registers and/or Bishops' transcripts. Non-Church of England denominations in that locality are also identified. Selecting the Jurisdictions tab brings up a list of record-creating jurisdictions which have encompassed that specific locality (civil registration district, probate court, diocese, poor law union, hundred, etc.), important for locating records not kept at the parish level.
You can follow your relatives all over England using this tool.
Labels: English counties, FamilySeach, maps
