Maps are a very useful addition to your research library. They help to orientate your research and can be an invaluable resource in developing an understanding of your ancestors’ movements. This is especially important if you are trying to get to grips with a place you have never visited or with which you are not very familiar. Sheffield Archives holds the major collection of local maps. The British Library holds the largest collection of maps in the world covering places from across the country and the world.
Historical maps of Sheffield
Cartography was relatively unknown before the later eighteenth century. Sheffield Archives has digitised some of the most important early maps. They are available to view free of charge on the Picture Sheffield website. You can enlarge the images to explore the maps in detail. See also maps at the bottom of this page.
In collaboration with Archives the Society is sponsoring the digitisation of material from the Arundel and Fairbanks collections as the David Hey Memorial Project. Smaller plans and surveys often include the names of local residents and landholders.
Ordnance Survey maps
These maps were produced in fits and starts from the 1840s. The National Library of Scotland is hosting a comprehensive digitisation project. Among the maps you can view here are those produced at
These detailed maps are a delight enabling you to identify individual houses and buildings. The system also allows you to overlay the older maps with modern versions so that you can see the layout of the area as it is today. You may purchase copies of the map sheets from the website.
This publisher produces maps made from the large scale OS maps and reproduced at about 14 inches to the mile. They contain a high level of detail and the cover includes some historical notes. You can purchase copies of the maps produced for the Sheffield area from our shop on the GENfair website. They come in a handy size, easy to manage if you are visiting a record office.