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General => Technical Help => Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation => Topic started by: Rod In Sussex on Thursday 30 June 05 11:41 BST (UK)

Title: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Rod In Sussex on Thursday 30 June 05 11:41 BST (UK)
I would like to produce a map showing the basic movements of my ancestors from across England in the 1800s to London in the early 1900s, then all out again by the 1980s.

Is there a mapping site or some software I could use and could it be layered by census dates etc?

Thanks for any ideas?

Rod
Title: Re: Mapping ancestral movements
Post by: trish251 on Thursday 30 June 05 13:29 BST (UK)
Hi Rod

My husband uses a rather expensive package in his work environment called mapinfo which he says is the best available. If you do a google on mapping software you should find some cheaper options. This one looks interesting (and is shareware). Registering gives additional features ($US50)

http://www.agismap.com/

Trish
Title: Re: Mapping ancestral movements
Post by: Rod In Sussex on Thursday 30 June 05 14:30 BST (UK)
Thanks Trish,

I will look it up over the weekend when I hope to have some free time

Rod
Title: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: alcrighton on Thursday 06 October 05 14:42 BST (UK)
Paul E's recent post on how our ancestors travelled before the railways got me thinking again about an idea I had a while ago and haven't done anything about.

My idea is to produce a map with coloured dots for the different branches of the family located in the different places that they lived at different times and with lines between them showing their movements.  My ancestors came from Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Cornwall, Devon & Hertfordshire as well as Scotland and Ireland and converged on the London area in the mid to late 19th century before beginning to spread out again across the country (and in some cases across the world) in the 20th.

I'm sure this is not a new idea and I was woncdering if anyone else has tried doing something similar to this?  If so, have you done this on a computer and if so what software have you used?

Would welcome your input and especially some examples of your work before embarking on mine when I get a spare moment!

Regards,

Al


Moderator Comment: topics merged
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: D ap D on Thursday 06 October 05 15:18 BST (UK)
Good posting Alcrighton.

I've just started on this myself, only toying with ideas at the moment though, not put any down onto paper as yet. I think the best for me is to take a separate map for each branch, then use a different colour dot for each generation. Perhaps then a star instead of a dot for my direct line.

I will then end up with several maps, but plotting the family members for that branch will be easier.

Also printing the maps onto a transparent will enable me to place several on top of each other to see the general flow of movement.

I'll just have to make sure that the scale is always the same.

I'd like to hear what other people think.

D
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Paul E on Thursday 06 October 05 18:57 BST (UK)
I wonder if Powerpoint would fit the bill here?  A succession of slides would produce something akin to an animation - worth investigating?   Powerpoint has the ability to be savd as html.

Of course, if your ancestors came from a small Norfolk village or hamlet, it would potentially be a pretty poor animation... :)

Paul
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: suttontrust on Thursday 06 October 05 19:14 BST (UK)
I like the powerpoint idea (or whatever software you use - some of us don't use MS) but it would be a lot of work.  Fun, though.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Headbanger Veron on Thursday 06 October 05 21:14 BST (UK)
I would love to do this and had thought about it, but not got much further than that apart from finding a blank map online to start with! Powerpoint sounds a good idea. If anyone has tried something practical, I'd be interested to hear what works.

Cheers Veron
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: alcrighton on Thursday 06 October 05 22:07 BST (UK)
I'd thought of Powerpoint too and even had a bit of a play around that I've just updated (attached).  I like Paul's idea of using the Save as HTML option from Powerpoint.  This is just the kind of thing I need to get my web page going - watch this space  :-\

Let me know what you think of this first effort - looks a bit crowded to me even though it's only the line of one of my grandparents with 4 genreations in total.  I chose this branch to start with as they all neatly fit below an East-West line drawn through Watford (unadvetureous lot  ;) ).

Keep the ideas coming.

Al
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Cal241 on Thursday 06 October 05 22:55 BST (UK)
Al
Your ancestor sound a bit like mine and PrueM's Ingram lot...............
starting in Dorset, poss then Bath, poss Dublin, then France, Bangor (Wales not Ireland!) in 1871 London then every where around the East End each child born in a  diferent suburb then they scattered across the globe, after 1901 (except my line who stayed in the UK!!)
The powerpoint you have done is great you have inspired me to get mine on that sort of format............. a project for the weekend me thinks!!

I still can't believe that my gg grandparents travelled C1835 from the UK to Brest in France then back again in 1846/7 it must have been a hell of a journey by horse, trap and sail boat??

Cal
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Paul E on Thursday 06 October 05 23:03 BST (UK)
Great stuff Al!

You could probably eliminate all of Britain north of the Wash and get a more detailed picture - or are you fortunate to have a few northern genes in your pool? :)

Paul
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Thursday 06 October 05 23:40 BST (UK)
I have a page set aside on my webpage for just this purpose - as you can see though it only has the idea there but i am hoping that my finished page will include maps/diagrams, details of why people moved, how they moved,did it have any effect on interaction with family still in the original place, and finally how it impacted on thier own life.
                                Denn
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: alcrighton on Thursday 06 October 05 23:57 BST (UK)
Great stuff Al!

You could probably eliminate all of Britain north of the Wash and get a more detailed picture - or are you fortunate to have a few northern genes in your pool? :)

Paul


This particular line never went North of Watford but the other 3 Grandparent lines would have to include:

1.  Ireland, Dundee, Liverpool, Yorkshire & London - possibly France as well on this line
2.  Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Hampshire & London
3.  Cornwall, Hertfordshire, Hampshire & London

So definitely some Northern genes in the pool as well as from across the Irish sea and the other side of Hadrian's wall.  None from West of Offa's Dyke discovered so far yet - Phew! (Sorry D ap D  ;D ;) )

Al
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: D ap D on Friday 07 October 05 08:23 BST (UK)
None from West of Offa's Dyke discovered so far yet - Phew! (Sorry D ap D  ;D ;) )

Just think about it though, searching for Woodgates, Weedon, Porters, Atkins or Parsons in Wales. You'd get back several hundred years in a couple of days. Wish I had a couple of names like that in my tree.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Friday 07 October 05 08:37 BST (UK)
Some lovely ideas here, another of those "one day ..." projects, for my website, too !

But ... Fly in the ointment ??

If you are publishing on the web, make sure the map you are using as basis isn't copyrighted !  There are more and more firms (in Germany) making a living out of trawling the web for illegal use of copyrighted material, and then imposing fines.

Ordnance Survey, for instance, say on their web site, that you are allowed to use their maps, as long as you include a specific copright notice (for which they even give you the code to include in your website)

Bob
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Friday 14 October 05 14:51 BST (UK)
I finally had an attempt, so here is a look at what I'm thinking. I have posted a large and small version - what do you reckon?
                                        Denn
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: alcrighton on Friday 14 October 05 17:31 BST (UK)
Looks great Denn!  After seeing yours, I think mine's going to be less complicated as all mine stayed in the UK apart from me and possibly my elusive great Grandmother!

Regards,

Al
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: mc8 on Friday 14 October 05 23:24 BST (UK)
all your travels look very exotic. I had thought my rellies would be too since the family story is that grandad was a prize fighter in a travelling fair. Nothing so exotic-a bunch of hawkers, dustmen and lauderesses who moved every couple of years at least-from one end of Camberwell to the other over 120 years (not more than a few miles)

It has been interesting to download streetmaps from the period to track their movements-not least because it has allowed me to pick up other families with the same surname who only live a street away. I haven't found a definite link yet-but it can't be coincidence
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: 1000xlch on Friday 14 October 05 23:33 BST (UK)
Great idea, but I suppose a big task.  I have a lot of ancestors from Scotland, Shropshire to Durham via Staffordshire and Yorkshire.  My partners lot come from Cornwall, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire.  We have migrated to East coast of US and Australia and NZ.  I'm sure there is something on the web.  I do know that there is a commercial CD with surname distribution for the 1881 census.  Tallack surname in Cornwall has been mapped on somebody's website which shows concentrations in various areas and what decade so you can see a movement and expansion.

John Rowley
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: mc8 on Friday 14 October 05 23:44 BST (UK)
  I'm sure there is something on the web. John Rowley
the genealogist does a uk mapping but its pay per view
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Friday 14 October 05 23:44 BST (UK)
            As an afterthought we have members in all corners of the globe - maybe we could do something like a world map showing the locations and numbers of Rootschat members, Im sure there must be some pretty remote, exotic and unlikely places, does anyone like the idea?
                                                     Denn
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: loo on Saturday 15 October 05 00:00 BST (UK)
I have been thinking of trying to do something similar.  My lot mostly just trotted about London and environs, with a couple of additions from Bristol, Hannover.  So I was just going to do a London map.
I really like the idea of printing on the transparencies.  Reminds me of a a book I had as a kid, with all the different biological systems of the body, one on each transparency;  you put them on top of each other to make a complete human.
Thanks for the warning about the copyright trawlers!
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Paul E on Saturday 15 October 05 00:05 BST (UK)
Great map, Denn!

Paul
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: mc8 on Saturday 15 October 05 10:09 BST (UK)
I have been thinking of trying to do something similar.  My lot mostly just trotted about London and environs, with a couple of additions from Bristol, Hannover.  So I was just going to do a London map.

I found the Stanford map useful as it has a street index and is good scale
http://www.motco.com/Map/81006/
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: loo on Monday 17 October 05 00:09 BST (UK)
Yes, I agree with you;  i have referred to that map in the past, and it has lovely detail.  The limitation is that each frame covers a very small area, so it's harder to see links.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Emmeline on Monday 17 October 05 00:22 BST (UK)
Dear All - I had been toying with this idea too - plotting the places that Gt.Gt.Grandpa went to as an Engine Driver - from Wigan to Rouen, France from there to Liverpool,  then Barnet in Middlesex followed by  Peterboro and finally Battersea !  I think I had some idea I might be able to work out which Railway Company he was with. Children were born in all these places - 10 in all - but I have still not been able to find his marriage certificate !
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: mc8 on Tuesday 18 October 05 10:39 BST (UK)
Yes, I agree with you;  i have referred to that map in the past, and it has lovely detail.  The limitation is that each frame covers a very small area, so it's harder to see links.
did you know you can purchase copies?
or stick them together ;D
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: ganache on Tuesday 18 October 05 18:23 BST (UK)
http://www.mapyourancestors.com is a site that may be of interest to you.

 You send your details to them on a speadsheet, and are given webspace with your detail mapped. It's based on Google Maps so you can zoom in and out and also see satelite images as well.

 Unfortunately there's high demand for it so they're not accepting requests at the moment, but if you keep checking you might get lucky.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: loo on Wednesday 19 October 05 07:16 BST (UK)
Yes, I agree with you;  i have referred to that map in the past, and it has lovely detail.  The limitation is that each frame covers a very small area, so it's harder to see links.
did you know you can purchase copies?
or stick them together ;D

Yes, I do know you can buy them.  I was just referring to the onscreen image.  Just yesterday, I went to my public reference library and found the book of maps and was able to copy some larger sections that I can then refer to at home.  Others may also find that this is available in a library nearby.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Paul E on Saturday 29 October 05 19:05 BST (UK)
Thought I'd have a go trying to map my maternal and paternal lines as they moved across North Yorkshire and into Durham (bit less exotic than dennford, I'm afraid - and not half as attractive a map! ;))

I've had to sacrifice some of the resolution to get the file size down but you will get the general idea.  Think it would probably get messy if more lines were added, although its probably feasible to add in the names of each spouse and their general direction of migration into the family.

This was created using a map found at http://www.yourmapsonline.org.uk/maps_for_web/smallbacon/yorkshire_NW.jpg and my image software, PhotoImpact. 

Any suggestions for improving it?

cheers

Paul
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Headbanger Veron on Saturday 29 October 05 19:09 BST (UK)
I really like that Paul.  Just to encourage you!

Cheers Veron  :D
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Saturday 29 October 05 23:51 BST (UK)
Hi Paul.
        Yes! I do like your map, You did ask for suggestions so I hope you don't mind these comments.
       1, Lighten the background to give more emphasis on the dates,times and comments.
        2, Add some relevant commentary.
        3, As you have probably seen from my previous pictures I have a liking for cameos depicting lifestyle or historical events.
          Anyhow here is a quick idea of what I mean, I wont be worried if you don't care for these ideas - anyhow what other ideas are out there,
                                         Denn
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Paul E on Sunday 30 October 05 01:36 BST (UK)
Thanks Veron and Denn.

Denn, that's a really good idea.  I'm too hung up on the quality of the map (which isn't very good when magnified but its freely available on the web), and I'll have to try to think more about the story it tells rather than the visibility of placenames, etc. 

Now that I've started burrowing into the 1851, its given me many more branches to follow forward into the later censuses, and its intriguing just how many of these end up in broadly the same areas - distant cousins living four or five miles from each other. 

I'm grateful for the suggestions, Denn!

cheers

Paul
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Sunday 30 October 05 02:59 GMT (UK)
mistake
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Sunday 30 October 05 03:00 GMT (UK)
Of coarse the major places or features nust be readable so that a sense of where you are is retained. Also try to include some coastline so that anyone not familiar with York's/Durham can see where you are too.
                                                          Denn
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Kennington on Sunday 30 October 05 20:00 GMT (UK)
Thats a brilliant map Paul,

Its encouraged me to have a go soon. think i'll get a spiders web though  ;D

Mary
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: alcrighton on Monday 31 October 05 14:35 GMT (UK)
Great map Paul and with the additions suggested by Denn I think we've got a format that will help us tell the stories we all want to tell.  I think the key to the issue of file size vs. image quality is in the level of detail in the original maps.  Starting with a map that doesn't show every road, lane, village and hamlet, the file size could be kept within reasonable limits and those obscure villages that our ancestors came from could be added manually.  The quality of the end result seems to be better using photo software rather than something like Powerpoint - I must give this a try when I've got some time! ::)

Keep the suggestions and the examples coming - maybe I should offer some kind of prize?  Got any graveyard hunts planned in the near future Paul?  ;)

Cheers,

Al
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Monday 31 October 05 23:49 GMT (UK)
Al,
       The detail in any part of the picture wont alter the file size, however having said that a lesser file size will effect the clarity of the detail (edges will be more blurred as in the printing on pauls map).
       I would suggest that to display a picture on a 17inch screen, start with a fullsize file of 1024x768 pixels this will give a large file of 2.25 megabites, far too big to post on here, but I have just done a quick test and found that by saving as a 50% quality jpeg the file is reduced to 200k which is well within the 300 allowed here - the attached sample (only a portion of a full screen) is only 32k.
       All that being said if the picture is for printing rather than web use then you must use a minimum of 240 pixels per inch giving a massive 29 megabytes for an A3 size print - I did one recently that was 36"x18" or orver 100mb
                                                  Hope this all helps
                                                                Denn
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Paul E on Tuesday 01 November 05 07:24 GMT (UK)
Denn

You should be a teacher - that's the first time I've started to understand the relationship between pixels, resolution, file size and image size.

HOPEFULLY (!) the attached revised map will come in under 300k and still be radable - it incorporates some of your suggestions, but theres room for more yet!

cheers

Paul
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Tuesday 01 November 05 08:04 GMT (UK)
Hi Paul
     Your map is realy starting to take shape, it is giving a good impression of who (good old cloth cap people),what and where, it is also quite clear and readable. 
         Sorry to digress but did you ever wonder how your carpenter ancestors would have worked - we once built a house in Dagohoy, Phil's we started with mahogany trees that Tatay (Father) had cut down some 2 years previously, our carpenters then cut them into planks by hand and then proceeded to tongue and groove them using no more than chisels and hand planes REAL TRADESMEN. I often wonder how many people realise that not too long ago many tradesmen - our forefathers worked very very hard and had knowledge and skills that would compare and hold thier own against any of our high tech trades of today.
         Oh! and thank you for the compliment - the answer to teaching is a full understanding of your subject.
                                      Keep on with your project
                                                           Denn
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Lesanne on Tuesday 01 November 05 08:24 GMT (UK)
  Been reading this post with such interest.
     :D Mapping them rather than pins on the cork board.
 Now your into the techno stuff, had to reply so I didn't miss the next instalment  ;D

    As you know I'm forever asking for help on the technical side.  :-[
    That pixies and revolution bit, is my downfall.

           
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: dennford on Tuesday 01 November 05 09:42 GMT (UK)
Lesanne
   It's quite simple, so long as you are wanting to post a picture on the net you suit the picture to a particular sized screen, or part of, but ALLWAYS at 72 pixels per inch.
   so for viewing on (and remember the screen dimention is on the diagonal)
    15"screen      the picture must be       900x600pixels
    17"                                                                 1024x768pixels
     to fill 1/4 of the screen you divide each side by 2 so you would have 450x300 for the 15"screen.
     
       To take it a step further your  personal profile photo size is also determined by no other than pixels - as said before every 72 pixels is one inch, so a picture 1"x1.5" will need to be 72 by 108pixels

     THE FOREGOING IS WHAT DETERMINES THE SIZE _ IT DOES NOT DETERMINE QUALITY


     Now having the Physical size correct you may still find that the filesize is too large to post. What you must now do is reduce the filesize by saving as a compressed file ( a jpeg ).
        When saving as a jpeg you should have a choice of what % compression you use - the more you compress the smaller the filesize but the poorer the quality. Usually 50% will reduce the file enough without too much reduction in quality.
                                           Hope this is of some help
                                                              Denn
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: mc8 on Tuesday 01 November 05 11:32 GMT (UK)
thank you Denn-that info should be on a sticky
Monique
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Lesanne on Tuesday 01 November 05 20:29 GMT (UK)
Thank you Denn very much. I think I could understand that , quite easily.

 Don't fancy helping Bob on the Web Space section.
             I'm sure he is fed up with me.  Bob will go into hibernation when he see's I'm back to have another go.    ;D

    Thank's again and I hope to do a map of my own one day.  8)  L.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: julianb on Thursday 05 January 06 19:27 GMT (UK)
I am adding a contribution to this topic on the basis of non-proliferation of topic strings!

The mobility examples above are great - but as already mentioned when you have ancestors living in a confined area, it's much more difficult.

I had loads of ancestors/relations living in a part of Croydon, and mapped them by using Photoshop (Elements) adding numbers on top as extra layers and having a key (separately, in text) as to who lived in which road.

You can see it here:

http://juliancbaker.rootschat.net/html/broad_green_whitehorse_lane_cr.html

The difficulty was in finding an old enough map which was legible, while keeping the file size down  (the picture file size is 111 KB, which is a bit big, so I hope it loads for others - it does for me).  I haven't succeeded entirely yet.  I expect, in time, I will have another go - and will consider some colour coding.

JULIAN
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Paul E on Thursday 05 January 06 20:06 GMT (UK)
Looks good, Julian - nice one!  Personally, I wish all mine HAD lived in a more confined area! :)  I think if you could colour code the numbers, as you suggested - or maybe just a small coloured dot beside each number - either by generation or by family group, it would add to the picture.

cheers

Paul

Moderator comment: Topics Merged
Title: Make a map
Post by: carrielovesfanta on Saturday 18 March 06 13:09 GMT (UK)
Hi all,

This site allows you to make custom maps which would be ace for keeping track of all the ancestors!

http://www.wayfaring.com

Also it's free!

Caz
Title: Re: Make a map
Post by: Shaztoni on Saturday 18 March 06 13:35 GMT (UK)
That's very interesting, I'm already playing with it, although it is missing any detail, so a lot of places I'll have to guess from looking at other maps where they are.

Sharon
Title: Re: Make a map
Post by: Arranroots on Saturday 18 March 06 13:51 GMT (UK)
I am also playing!

I agree about lack of detail and a bit tricky to pan without a mouse (I am on a laptop), but enjoying it.

Something like this would be an excellent addition to the Surname Interest Table (SIT) and there was also some correspondence on the subject of how to map your ancestors travels a while ago.

Thanks for posting this

kind regards, Arranroots  ;)
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Lesanne on Thursday 06 April 06 08:57 BST (UK)
            :D Just found this post in mail box?  I forgot about it.
    Have been wondering how to do the wonderings of the families  ::)
           Now, where to find a good base map of Southern England.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Boongie Pam on Thursday 06 April 06 16:25 BST (UK)
This seems a bit pitiful in comparison to somw of the great maps on this thread but thought it may be of use to someone.

I tried to find a blank chart for eng/wal & sco with no luck so I did one.

I've attached it if anyone wants to use it for diagrams.  I plottrd density changes of my direct's surnames.

P
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Headbanger Veron on Thursday 06 April 06 22:04 BST (UK)
Thank you Pam, that's exactly what I have been looking for! I found one with the coastline but not the counties - really helpful of you  :D :D :D

Veron  :)
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: alcrighton on Thursday 06 April 06 22:55 BST (UK)
Nice Map Pam!

Now all I need to do is add Ireland, Northern France & Mexico and I'm in business ;D

Regards,

Al
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Boongie Pam on Friday 07 April 06 14:06 BST (UK)
Love to help Al but my home bodies didn't strya far  :)
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Gadget on Friday 07 April 06 14:15 BST (UK)
Think that just the bit in the middle around the Irish Sea would be enough for mine (see my counties, below)

If we include collaterals though, I'll need a world projection :(

Gadget
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Lesanne on Friday 07 April 06 18:07 BST (UK)
This will be 5th attempt at posting a thank you for this map.
Now just need the technical stuff to put it on my "wannabee" web page.  ;D
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: jmannus on Monday 21 August 06 22:42 BST (UK)
Lots of great suggestions in here. If you use a Macintosh, MacFamilyTree (a great, inexpensive Mac family tree program) has a neat built-in mapping feature. If you attach latitude and longitude coordinates to events for a person, the map feature places a "pin" on a topographic or political world map and connects them for you. You can zoom in and out, too (though not detailed like GoogleEarth) and export the image. The MFT site is at www.onlymac.de

Joe
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: kerryb on Tuesday 22 August 06 07:51 BST (UK)
Don't know how I missed this thread before but thanks for the map Pam!

Kerry  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Friday 05 January 07 16:53 GMT (UK)
Here's an idea I've tried out.  It is not a map, but a chart, of where my ancestors were born.

     (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=143930.0;id=33236;image)
     example:  http://www.margulies-chronicles.com/ag/_coleman/fam-cole-tree-ag.php?output=4

I've basically taken the family tree chart, and entered the birth places of all my direct lines. 
Works for paper or web presentations.

see also:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,143930.msg1047966.html#msg1047966

Maybe the map will come later  :)
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Boongie Pam on Friday 05 January 07 19:10 GMT (UK)
I like that idea.  It could be easily extended as a timeline as well.  But probably just for directs for the aesthetic.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: kerryb on Friday 05 January 07 20:06 GMT (UK)
I would certainly find a timeline very useful for mapping each generation of some of my families as they move across Sussex.  I can see all sorts of possibilities for it. 

Thanks, you've got me thinking now!!!! ::) ::)

Kerry
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: meles on Friday 05 January 07 20:13 GMT (UK)
I've found this site helpful.

http://www.wayfaring.com

meles
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: SooCatt on Saturday 06 January 07 16:32 GMT (UK)
I am fascinated by these maps and would love to produce one for my family.  All you people seem to know what you are talking about and I haven't got a clue!  ???

Feel a right pilchard  :-\

Exactly how does one take a map and add bits in - with beautiful lines, different colours, names, dates etc. ??

Help  ::)

Susan
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: suttontrust on Saturday 06 January 07 22:52 GMT (UK)
I bought Genmap UK as a Christmas present to myself.  Quite expensive, and it works by importing a gedcom, reading the placenames from that and putting them on a map.  I'm disappointed because it can't handle all those little villages that so many of our ancestors came from.  Another possibility is www.platial.com.  It's free, and allows you to compile a map online, care of Google maps, I think, and save or publish it.  If anyone can get to grips with it, let me know - I'm struggling.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: julianb on Saturday 06 January 07 23:17 GMT (UK)
I'm struggling with Google Maps - I've got myself an API key to use Google Maps, and I've coped fine with just pulling a location from Google Maps into my site, but it is hard work getting anything more done.  After two hours tonight, I have been able to get some markers on a map, but the next step is to give them numbers and a description, and, tonight, my brain hurts  ::)

If anyone's interested in seeing the simple map extracts on my site, just try any of the GB places on this page

http://juliancbaker.rootschat.net/html/family_places.html

JULIAN
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: kerryb on Sunday 07 January 07 08:44 GMT (UK)
Hi Julian

A technical question, had a look at your maps and they are very good but is it me that needs to enable Javascript or you??

I just get a message on each map saying enable Javascript.

Thanks

Kerry
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: julianb on Sunday 07 January 07 09:52 GMT (UK)
Hi Julian

A technical question, had a look at your maps and they are very good but is it me that needs to enable Javascript or you??

I just get a message on each map saying enable Javascript.

Thanks

Kerry

Yes, to see the maps the viewer needs to have Javascript enabled.  If you see a line under the place title which says "X location courtesy of Google Local - Javascript needs enabling" - that's just my "notice" to people saying they need to enable Javascript to see the map.  If you are able to see the map, then you don't need to do anything.

Thanks for the feedback.  Might need to rephrase it, if it's confusing.

JULIAN
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: MaryA on Sunday 07 January 07 10:04 GMT (UK)
It's free, and allows you to compile a map online, care of Google maps, I think, and save or publish it.  If anyone can get to grips with it, let me know - I'm struggling.

Not surprised, I started, put in my town of Kirkby and it gave me an icon at Kingston Upon Hull!!!  I tried Kirkby, Merseyside but it wasn't found.  This is strange since googlemaps DOES find it if I search on that site.  ??? ??? ???

Mary
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: kerryb on Sunday 07 January 07 10:20 GMT (UK)
Hi Julian

A technical question, had a look at your maps and they are very good but is it me that needs to enable Javascript or you??

I just get a message on each map saying enable Javascript.

Thanks

Kerry

Yes, to see the maps the viewer needs to have Javascript enabled.  If you see a line under the place title which says "X location courtesy of Google Local - Javascript needs enabling" - that's just my "notice" to people saying they need to enable Javascript to see the map.  If you are able to see the map, then you don't need to do anything.

Thanks for the feedback.  Might need to rephrase it, if it's confusing.

JULIAN
Thanks Julian, I did think as much, my Java seems quite happy to un enable itself quite regularly! 

Kerry
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Thursday 26 June 08 17:11 BST (UK)
Here's a commercial program, using Google Earth:

Topic: Google Earth and your Family Tree
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,311994.0.html



But a few points to consider:

1) availability:  the users must also have Google Earth installed on their computers.

2) speed:  I tried looking at a few sites with Google Maps and Google Earth and found that my computer couldn't cope :( It's an old laptop (2001) with 192 MB and a 450 KHz. processor.  Even using a fast computer, I still notice delays of up to 10-20 seconds while maps are being loaded.

I like the results, but my advice is, don't put the maps on your home page, but link to another page. It is also a good idea to mention Google Earth/Maps in the link, so that anybody who also has these problems is forewarned.

Bob

Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: MapMyAncestors on Thursday 26 June 08 17:33 BST (UK)
Yes - you will need a fairly modern PC to be able to run Google Earth (probably something no older than 2-3 years I would say).  From the Google Earth website -

Minimum:
- Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista
- CPU: Pentium 3, 500Mhz
- System Memory (RAM): 256MB
- Hard Disk: 400MB free space
- Network Speed: 128 Kbits/sec
- Graphics Card: 3D-capable with 16MB of VRAM
- Screen: 1024x768, "16-bit High Color" - DirectX 9 (to run in Direct X mode)

Recommended:
- Operating System: Windows XP or Windows Vista
- CPU: Pentium 4 2.4GHz+ or AMD 2400xp+
- System Memory (RAM): 512MB
- Hard Disk: 2GB free space
- Network Speed: 768 Kbits/sec
- Graphics Card: 3D-capable with 32MB of VRAM
- Screen: 1280x1024, "32-bit True Color"

Even with the recommended spec you are probably best not running it at the same time as any other memory hungry programs.

PS - Thanks for letting me know about this thread Bob - nice to find some like minded souls  :)
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Arranroots on Thursday 26 June 08 18:17 BST (UK)
Very interesting program!

My only negative comment initially would be that the video tutorial is a little blurred but otherwise very professional and easy to follow.

I expect there will be a free copy for all Moderators?  ;D ;D

Good luck with your project.

Kind regards, Arranroots  ;)
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: MapMyAncestors on Thursday 26 June 08 19:25 BST (UK)
I take the point about the video.  I did record it at a better quality but YouTube reduces the quality when you host it from there.

I could host the original video on my website but I don't think it would take too may viewings before I exceeded my monthly bandwidth limit.  :(

I should probably have mentioned my moderator referal programme - all moderators who recommend 5 people who buy the program, get a copy for free  ;D

Best wishes

Tim
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: MapMyAncestors on Thursday 03 July 08 09:04 BST (UK)
I've taken on board the comment about the blurred video and I'm now hosting it with the http://www.rootstelevision.com people and I think the quality is somewhat better.

You can view it at -
http://www.familytreeassistant.com/tutorial.html

Thanks for the feedback  :)
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: pjbuk007 on Friday 04 July 08 10:26 BST (UK)
Great piece of software!

I have been fiddling around with Google Earth recently, but find it a bit daunting, so will be trying a copy of map My Ancestors.  I have 2,394 things to do today, but will be downloading the trial soon. 

Well done indeed!
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: MapMyAncestors on Friday 04 July 08 12:11 BST (UK)
Thanks!

I'm looking at improving the performance after someone tried to geo-code a GEDCOM with over 20,000 individuals and 23,000 places in it!  I'm afraid to say it was a teeny bit   S L O W!  And poor old Google Earth had a bit of a job loading it - but it got there in the end.

However, if your 2,394 things to do are "places to find" then you should be OK ;-)
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: adee7 on Friday 04 July 08 13:48 BST (UK)
Just putting my note here so I can follow the thread.  Don't know how I missed it earlier.      :)

Kathleen
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: MapMyAncestors on Friday 11 July 08 13:44 BST (UK)
Following some suggestions from members of the Guild Of One Name Studies, I've added a couple of extra features -

1. You can now include a Distribution Map which shows simple icon that varies in size depending on the concentration of individuals in the locallity.
 
2. There is now the facility to import individuals from a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file rather than a GEDCOM.

To download the most recent version please use the link on the download page that says "Click here to download the most recent version now" rather than the green download.com icon (the download.com version is always about 2 weeks out of date).

The Features page gives a brief illustration of the kind of thing you can do.

http://www.familytreeassistant.com/features.html

One of the more useful features of Google Earth are the Rumsey Historical maps which are available for a number of areas (mainly cities) around the world.  You can view these from the Layers menu of Google Earth (select Gallery and Rumsey Historical Maps).

Have fun!   ;D

Tim
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: pjbuk007 on Friday 11 July 08 18:22 BST (UK)
Cool!

I was going to ask for distribution maps - and here they are.  I have not had a chance to play yet as I am apparently the only family member capable of organising anything and they are all being demanding. Young and old.
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: MapMyAncestors on Monday 04 August 08 13:50 BST (UK)
I've added another new feature today.  For each placemark I've now added automatic links to the parents, spouses and children of the associated individual.  Clicking on one of these links will "fly to" the first event for that person.

You can download the new version from -

http://www.familytreeassistant.com

There is a link to a sample tree using this feature from the home page.

I've also improved the performance for people with large trees.

All the best

Tim
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: kerryb on Sunday 21 September 08 11:21 BST (UK)
Just to let you know Tim I have at last downloaded your software and I am going to have a go before I buy.

Kerry
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: glenidol on Saturday 31 January 09 11:50 GMT (UK)
No Mac version yet then? Mac users are actually quite thick on the ground if quiet some times. :)

Jude
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: MapMyAncestors on Saturday 31 January 09 14:36 GMT (UK)
Hi Jude

Alas no Mac version is planned - primarily as I don't have a Mac and also, MMA is based heavily on the Micro$oft .Net framework so it would mean a rewrite from the bottom up - sorry  :(

All the best

Tim
Title: Re: Mapping the travels of our ancestors
Post by: Lesanne on Friday 18 April 14 17:15 BST (UK)

Did anyone 'Map the Travels' ?
Has anyone found a good resource for mapping ancestors travels?