How To Determine Property Ownership Using Plat Maps

How To Determine Property Ownership Using Plat Maps

If a researcher can trace their ancestor to a specific town, obtaining a plat map or property ownership map should be one of their first goals. These maps, if available can give a wealth of information about the ancestor and family. Most towns have these types of maps or some substitute available. Since these maps frequently list only the last name and first initial of the property owner, it is wise to have some other proof of residence. In a few localities, people who rented are listed as if they were property owners, or the property owner will be listed, then renters will be listed by building room numbers. Under normal circumstances, renters would not be listed. Some landowners were women even as early as the 1600's. Many town maps made special notations in this circumstance.

Plat maps come in a variety of styles. Some county plat maps will be titled by township and range (Township 11 North Range 10 West), others will give actual town and township names, instead of numerical designations. Most plat maps have no date on them. The date can only be ascertained from the book containing the actual information. Plat maps are generally divided into 36 square mile sections. Section number one was in the upper right hand corner. The numbers continued in order across the map to number six, which was located in the upper left hand corner. Section seven was at the left just below section six. The numbering continued, each row alternating from right to left, then left to right. Maps are usually scaled two inches to the mile.

The boundary for each piece of property is shown along with number of acres. In previous generations, knowing the neighbors of an ancestor can yield significant pieces of genealogical information. Many people lived their entire lives within 5-10 miles of where they were born. Children would usually marry someone residing within 3 to 5 blocks of their home. In larger cities where several families shared the same building, the offspring would usually marry a neighbor living in the same building. In several cases, family members of adjoining neighbors intermarried. Husbands and wives owned adjoining properties. Some researchers have used these maps to locate ancestors who were missed by the regular census. When doing research for the years between 1881 and 1899, these maps will be especially beneficial since the 1890 census was almost completely destroyed. The result was no existing federal census information covering the period after the 1880 census or before the 1900 census.

Residences are normally indicated by small black squares. Schools are shown by either a square, or a building, or are simply labeled "school". Churches are labeled and may be designated by either a square or a building with a cross. Some are identified by specific denomination. Cemeteries are also labeled, but in some early maps, you should look for the term "burying grounds". The business districts are frequently outlined. These areas usually have many small plots of land with squares and rectangles. They will seldom have names. Post offices will also be designated on most maps. Rivers, lakes, and creeks are indicated. The lakes and rivers will normally be named, but the tributaries, though shown, usually are not. Roads are designated by double lines. Railroads are indicated by lines with hash marks. Some railroads will be designated by complete names, others by initials. Some maps will also show places like ferries, docks, lighthouses, quarries, and military installations.

How To Determine Property Ownership Using Plat Maps--Page 2

A good source for property ownership maps is state, county, or town histories. These maps usually show the property of the proprietors and early settlers. They usually indicate the burying grounds or cemeteries, churches, courthouses, meeting houses, and major modes of transportation.

Bibliographical Sources For Property And Plat Map Research

Find Public Records Fast: The Complete State, County, And Courthouse Locator. Tempe, AZ: Facts On Demand Press, 1998. REF. 347.02 Fin.

Sourcebook of County Court Records. Tempe, AZ: Business Resources Bureau Publications-Public Research Library, 1992. REF. 929.373 Sou.

Sourcebook of Local Court And County Record Retrievers. 2nd Edition. Tempe, AZ: Business Resources Bureau Publications-Public Research Library, 1995. REF. 347.013 Sou.

Bentley, Elizabeth Petty County Courthouse Book. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1990. REF. 347.02 Ben.

Cerny, Johni & Wendy Elliot The Library: A Guide To LDS Family History Library. Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry Publishing, 1988. GENEALOGY REF. 929.1 Lib.

Eichholz, Alice Ancestry's Redbook: American, State, County, And Town Sources. Revised Edition. Salt Lake City, UT:Ancestry Publishing, 1992. GENEALOGY REF. 929.1 Anc.

Everton, George B. Handybook For Genealogists: United States Of America. 8th Edition. Logan, UT: Everton Publishers, 1991. GENEALOGY REF. 929.1 Eve. ** Duplicate copy also located in Adult Reference section--same call number.

Szucs, Dennis & Sandra Hargreaves Luebking The Source: A Guidebook Of American Genealogy. Revised Edition. Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry Publishing, 1997. GENEALOGY REF. 929.1 Szu.

Compiled By Bryan L. Mulcahy, Reference Librarian, Ft. Myers-Lee County Library, 7/20/98.