About Historical Maps - Search Tips
There are two ways of searching for a historical map.
- Searching via the map
- Searching using the 'Advanced Search' option
Searching via the map (Search)
- Select a county from the drop down menu.
- Zoom in to your chosen area using the commands which can be found at the bottom of the map.
- View a list of Historical Maps for the area you've selected by clicking on 'Search'.
Searches via the map will show results from the following archives:
Geographical Survey Archive
This search uses co-ordinates from the map window and includes results from the Economic, Topographic and District Maps. These maps are based on sheet lines and are divided into grid squares with coordinates showing exact positions. Searches usually return a 100 % result.
Regional and Land Survey Board Archives
This type of search uses the place name shown in the map window which can be the names of towns and cities, semi-urban and other built-up areas of varying density. The number of place names allowed in a single search may vary according to the location of the search; for example fewer place names are permitted in built-up than in rural areas. If your search is unsuccessful, try zooming in or using the Advanced Search option.
Common Questions and Answers
Are you looking for a particular type of map, for example a Parish map?
If so use the 'Advanced Search' option and select the Land Survey Board or Regional archive.
I don't have a sheet reference for an Economic Map. How do I find one?
Use the 'Search' option in the map window. Make a selection from the drop down menu, zoom in to your chosen place name and select 'Search'. The type of map e.g. 'Ekonomiska kartan' (Economic Map) will be shown in the Map Series/Task column.
Advanced Search
It is important to provide as much information about your search as possible in order to get a good result. This is especially important when searching in the Land Survey Board archive.
An advanced search enables you to search directly in the different archives. An asterisk (*) denotes a mandatory field. Only one archive can be accessed at a time.
Using the 'County, Parish and Village' fields
The County, Parish and Village fields make it possible to search geographically. Searches by 'County' only are not allowed, due to the number of possible matches.
Spelling
Wildcards (*) can be used in the free text field if you are not sure how to spell a place name. A search on 'Kugg*' for example will return 'Kugghamn, Kuggböle and Kuggösund'.
Using the 'File' field
The 'File' field is available when searching in the Regional Archive. Entering the unique file reference, for example 20-GEO-13, will enable a direct search for the historical information. A wildcard may be used if the entire file reference is unknown, for example 21-VAL-*.
Using the 'Task' field
The 'Task' field is available when searching in the Land Survey Board and Regional archives and can be selected from the drop down list available in Swedish. The name of the task may change depending on the map. Examples of these can include maps referring to land reforms, homestead partitions and tax dispositions. If a task is not selected in the search criteria, all tasks carried out within the village will be shown.
Using the 'Year From' and 'Year To' fields
Searches can be further restricted by using the 'Year from' and 'Year to' fields.
Common Questions and Answers
How do I find the oldest possible map in a village?
Search in the Regional archive and select the appropriate county. You can choose to limit your search with date criteria, e.g. 1828 - 1856, as there is a lot of information!
Search in the Land Survey Board archive and select the appropriate county and parish or county, parish and village. You can limit your search using date criteria, e.g. 1628-1700.
How do I know which Parish to search within?
You may find the name hasn't changed. Try it! The following link will take you to a Swedish website describing parish divisions.
http://www.fmis.raa.se/fmis/html/minihelp/FMISFornsok.htm#S_ktips.htm
Are you looking for a land reform map?
Search in the Land Survey Board archive and select the appropriate county, parish or county, parish and village. Then select the task 'Laga skifte' from the drop down list. Some hand drawn copies may also be found in the Regional archive.
I know the page reference for the Topographic (Ordnance) map. How do I find it?
Search in the Geographical Survey archive and select 'Generalstabskartan'. After selecting the county, you can select the sheet reference from the drop down list.
How do I find one of the older hand-drawn maps in colour?
Select the Land Survey Board archive. Select 'Type of Map' and choose 'Wiblingen Atlas' from the drop down menu.
