Mapping the travels of our ancestors

[suttontrust]

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.

[julianb]

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

[kerryb]

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

[julianb]

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

[MaryA]

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

[kerryb]

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

[Berlin-Bob]

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

[MapMyAncestors]

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 

[Arranroots]

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? 

Good luck with your project.

Kind regards, Arranroots