British and Irish maps for family historians

Key resources

We hold a large international collection of maps that supports family history research.

This guide suggests map resources to try when researching the British or Irish origins of your family and includes details of how to find and use:

New one inch Ordnance Survey of England & Wales, 1864, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231933519

This ‘one inch’ topographic map has a scale of one inch on the map representing one mile on the ground (1:63 360). Ordnance Survey maps at this scale provide an overview of an area, including the relationships between cities, villages and other features in the landscape.

New one inch Ordnance Survey of England & Wales, 1864, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231933519

This ‘one inch’ topographic map has a scale of one inch on the map representing one mile on the ground (1:63 360). Ordnance Survey maps at this scale provide an overview of an area, including the relationships between cities, villages and other features in the landscape.

Detail from 1863 Ordnance Survey map of Lanarkshire

[Ordnance Survey county six-inch topographic series] Lanarkshire, 1863, detail, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-232229747

Six-inch to the mile maps were published in the 19th and 20th centuries, covering most of England and Wales, in remarkable detail.

[Ordnance Survey county six-inch topographic series] Lanarkshire, 1863, detail, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-232229747

Six-inch to the mile maps were published in the 19th and 20th centuries, covering most of England and Wales, in remarkable detail.

Related research guides

Browse these related Library research guides to find more information and resources.

A black-and-white photo of a family posed outside a brick house with a white picket fence. In the foreground, a man in a bowler hat sits beside a large dog, while a young girl stands nearby. A seated woman holds a baby on her lap, and a child is visible on the steps of the house in the background. The garden surrounding them is filled with overgrown plants.

Portrait of Oliver Barberie and family, 1900, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136621963

Family history research guide

Uncover hidden stories of your heritage and trace your genealogy using our research guide.

Research guide

1892 map of the Parish of Tullamarine and Parish of Maribrynong

Parish of Tullamarine Parish of Maribyrnong, 1892, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-232027555

Australian maps for family historians

Discover land and property history with our extensive map collection and enrich your family history research with unique geographical records.

Research guide

Great Britain. War Office. (1942). New Caledonia, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233403296

Overseas series mapping research guide NEW

Learn about the types of maps we hold and how to access them, including maps for countries, oceans and the planets.

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Topographic map of Gordonvale, Queensland, showing contour lines, roads, rivers, and coastal areas, with military notations from 1942.

Australia. Army. Topographical Survey Company, 2/1st & Australia. Army. Topographical Survey Company, 6th & Australia. Army. Royal Australian Survey Corps. Gordonvale, Queensland Topographical Survey Company, 1942, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-234344829

Australian topographic maps research guide

We hold 200,000+ Australian topographic maps from 1900 onward. This guide helps you find current and historical maps at various scales in our collection.

Research guide

Maps and copyright

Maps are usually published items.

Maps published in or before 1954 are out of copyright.
Maps published in 1955 or later by a government publisher: copyright lasts for 50 years after the end of the year the map was published.
Maps published in 1955 or later by a non-government publisher: copyright lasts for 70 years after the end of the year the map was published.

For further information, see: Rights and the Maps Collection.

Get help with your research

Our specialist staff can help you with your research, to locate resources and use our microform and scanning equipment but they cannot undertake extensive or ongoing genealogical, historical or other research on your behalf.

Find out more in our Information and research services policy.

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