Special List 29: List of Selected Maps of States and
Territories
Names
Index: names of cartographers, surveyors, publishers, and other persons and companies
connected with the production of the maps described in Special List No. 29.
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Wyoming Territory, 1879 (NNSC-49-OMF-WY6) |
Introduction
This publication describes approximately 900 State maps selected from the
holdings of the Special Media Archives Servcies Division, National Archives
and Records Administration. The maps date from the late 18th century to 1920.
Maps of the Territories are included to provide early coverage of areas which
later became States. The list is intended primarily for use by researchers
seeking general maps of States and Territories. Because of the general nature
of the maps, their arrangement alphabetically by State and chronologically
thereunder, and their relative uniformity of content, no subject index has
been prepared for this publication. Variations in content, however, have
been indicated in the descriptive entries. An accompanying index gives the
names of cartographers, surveyors, publishers, and other persons connected
with the production of the maps.
About the Records
Maps described in this list were selected from 12 record groups and the Reference
Map Collection (cited in this publication as Ref. Coll.). Record groups usually
consist of the records of a single Federal agency, typically at the bureau
level. The Reference Map Collection is a small group of published maps that
are not a part of any record group. The Records of the Post Office Department
(Record Group [RG] 28), the Bureau of Land Management (RG 49), and the Department
of the Army, Office of the Chief of Engineers (RG 77) account for about
two-thirds of the maps listed. Other record groups from which maps were selected
are Records of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (RG 23), Records of the U.S.
Senate (RG 46), Records of the U.S. Geological Survey (RG 57), Records of
the Bureau of Indian Affairs (RG 75), Records of Boundary and Claims Commissions
and Arbitrations (RG 76), Records of the Office of Territories (RG 126),
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives (RG 233), and Records of U.S.
Army Continental Commands, 1821-1920 (RG 393).
Many of the maps cover either an entire State or a portion of a State; some
maps include several States or Territories. Basic information shown on the
maps selected, however, applies to the State or Territory as a whole rather
than to any one particular area. The number of maps listed for a given State
often is indicative of Federal activity in that State. Those States within
which the Federal Government has held much of the land, therefore, are better
represented than the Thirteen Original Colonies.
In this publication a "manuscript" map is defined as one made with pencil,
ink, watercolors, or some similar hand-applied medium, usually on paper or
tracing cloth. Blueprints are identified as such, but other photographically
reproduced records are referred to as "photo-processed." A "published" map
is one that is issued for general distribution, usually in print or near
print. An "annotated" map is a published or photo-processed map that includes
information added by hand.
How to Use this List
A map may be located within this list either by referring directly to the
appropriate state section within the list, or by referring first to the "Name
Index," and then to the list by using the corresponding entry number cited
within the index. The maps are listed alphabetically by State and chronologically
within each State listing. Maps including more than one State or Territory
are listed under the name of the first State mentioned in the title and are
cross-referenced under the other States. Please note that the list's entry
numbers run sequentially and consecutively from the first entry listed for
Alabama to the last entry listed for Wyoming.
Two brief paragraphs comprise most entries within this list. The first paragraph
contains map title information gleaned directly from the record. For most
entries the map title may include the name of the cartographer, the draftsman
or originating Federal agency, and the publisher, if any; and the date. Unless
enclosed in brackets, map titles shown in the entries as the first paragraph
are quoted directly from the maps; but they do not always appear on the maps
in title blocks or with the wording in consecutive order. Spelling,
abbreviations, and capitalization in the titles and in quoted remarks in
the entries are as they appear on the maps. Punctuation, however, has at
times been changed or supplied in the interest of clarity. Information enclosed
in brackets has been supplied by the compiler. Undated maps are indicated
by "n.d." In some instances, a comparison with dated maps has enabled the
compiler to establish an approximate date.
The second paragraph within an entry provides a description of the item followed
by the file designation. Besides brief discussion of contents, the description
may include scale; dimensions to the nearest half inch (from edge to edge
of sheet, vertical dimension first); mention of publication; the number of
sections or sheets that comprise the map; and presence of color or special
markings. When appropriate, cross-references to related entries are included.
Each entry closes by noting the map's file designation, which is the means
by which the map may be retrieved from the file. The designator lists first
the Record Group (RG) number to which the map belongs; next, the name of
the record series within the RG; and lastly an identifying number, name,
or date.
How to Obtain Copies of Records
On-site:
Cartographic records described in this publication generally are available
in the Cartographic and Architectural Research Room for examination and
electrostatic ("xerox") copying for a fee. The Cartographic and Architectural
Research Room is located within the Steny H. Hoyer Research Center at Archives
II, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
Off-site:
Upon request the division's Maps and Plans Group and Aerial Photography Team
provide ordering information for specific items listed within this list.
This information includes instructions for ordering reproductions from private
vendors who, in cooperation with the National Archives and Records
Administration, offer mail order copies in a variety of formats.
To receive ordering information for specific records listed within
this publication, please provide the Cartographic and Architectural Branch
the following information for each item:
Special List 29
Name of State
Entry Number
The date (if any) of the record
The file designation
Requests concerning records and reproduction services should be addressed
to:
Special Media Archives Services Division--Cartographic (NWCS)
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone: 301-837-3200
Fax: 301-837-3622
Email: carto@nara.gov
When submitting a request via e-mail, please include a regular mailing address.
At this time, if we do not have a regular mailing address, we will be unable
to provide you with reproduction ordering information.
Credits
Preliminary descriptions for this list were prepared under the direction of
Ralph E. Ehrenberg by archivist trainees, and were compiled for publication
by Janet L. Hargett in 1971. In 1995-96, the Cartographic and Architectural
Branch staff verified and revised this list.
Please note: This web version may differ from other
versions.
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