The Mapping Specialist

Vol IX, No. 1 - Summer 2001

Contents | In Focus | Mapmaking | Profile | Historical Atlases

MAPMAKING
Expanded Mapping Services

"In the spider-web of facts, many a truth is strangled" - Paul Eldridge

The search for the truth is something that all cartographers -- particularly those involved in making thematic historical maps -- have to tackle.  When faced with such a search, the first decision needs to be about where to start looking.  In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the quantity (and quality) of historical atlases available, and the Internet has veritably exploded with "geo-historic" information.

So, where in the "spider-web of facts" should the errant cartographer start to look?  The information needed not only has to be accurate and reliable, but also found as quickly as possible.  This raises the issue of what are known as "primary sources." Definitions of what may or may not be a primary source vary (some clients prefer to select their own primary source material), but as cartographers our definition comes from our background knowledge of who is providing the information.  Generally, a primary source is one that is from an organization that is known to thoroughly research and fact-check the information, and importantly, doesn't have a vested interest in it's content (it has to be impartial).  With those criteria, sources such as the National Geographic Society, American Heritage, and many government sources spring to mind, along with the resources offered by the Library of Congress and other map libraries.  However, it is also important to realize that primary sources cannot provide all the information on every subject -- sometimes when required to make a map of a less well-known subject, some further in-depth searching is in order.  This area is really the forté of the numerous map libraries, and fortunately, many of these have very large on-line collections available, some of which are highly specialized.  Many of the reputable map libraries declare the origin of the maps they present, and declaration can be used to evaluate the validity of the information.  Another useful research tool, although to be used carefully, are the sites known as "portal sites." These sites collect together a range of links to other sites that may or may not be helpful.  The caveats are of course, that the further one ventures into these often undeclared sources, the more searching has to be done to verify the "facts" found there.  Some of these sites really can be in the heart of the "spider-web."

Research itself can be, in fact often is, a rewarding endeavor.  In the course of trying to find information for maps, we have often found missing details for other maps in work, or have helped colleagues with their maps.  Information learned should be information shared.  Researching can also have some quite disturbing aspects too, such as learning more about concentration camps and racial conflict.  As such, it can be an enriching experience as well as a productive one.

- David Boocock

Some interesting sites...

Map Libraries:

Perry Castañeda Map Library: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/
Library of Congress map Collection: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html

Portal Sites:

Oddens' Bookmarks: http://oddens.geog.uu.nl/index.html
U.S. Government sites: http://www.firstgov.gov/
Historical atlas of the 20th Century: http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/20century.htm

Other Sites:

National Geographic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
The National Atlas: http://www.nationalatlas.gov/
USGS: http://www.usgs.gov/

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