The Archive Maps site requires the one time installation of two plug-ins:
An SVG plug-in is required to access the Map screen. (Not required when using Firefox 1.5 and above)
A DjVu plug-in is required to view high resolution images of archive maps:
Launch archive mapping service!
About the Archive Maps
The collection of over 2000 historic Ordnance Survey maps covering the period 1855-1929 has been digitised to provide online access. A list of the various series of Ordnance Survey maps covered by this site is given below with the date and scale of the map.
Most of the maps are either a 6" to 1 mile scale or a 25" to 1 mile scale. The country was divided into a grid with sheet numbers corresponding to the 6" to 1 mile scale maps. Each 6" to 1 mile scale map was then divided into sixteen maps at a scale of 25" to 1 mile.
The 6" to 1 mile maps from 1891 were divided into ‘quarter sheet’ maps covering the north west (NW), north east (NE), south west (SW) and south east (SE) of the grid. There are also some larger scale town plans for Beverley and Howden available on this site.
Dates have been simplified to describe the main date of a series of maps. For example, a map described as 1890 might have been surveyed a few years earlier or published a few years later.
The maps have all been indexed to town, parish and township. This enables you to search them by using a place name as well as the key map. Comprehensive guidance for viewing the maps is provided from the help option on the menu.
You will find that there are some maps that are not available. The Archives and Local Studies Service does not have a complete set of all maps for each series. For example, the 1890 1st edition of the 25" to 1 mile map contains many missing sheets. Also, the Ordnance Survey did not revise every sheet, especially in rural areas where the landscape might not have changed significantly. This is especially true of the revision of the 1927 25" to 1 mile series.
Currently the site contains only digitised copies of Ordnance Survey maps. It is hoped that in the future it will be possible to add other maps, such as enclosure or estate maps, to this online service.
