Using Google Maps to Find Genealogical Records

When researching a place for genealogical records, first locate it on modern maps. I use Google Maps.[1] My Ginter Günther family comes from a rural area on the Vistula River in Poland near the cities, Włocławek and Płock. 

The towns mentioned in family records include Leslau (today Włocławek), Mursk (near Ładne), Wistka Szlachecka, Dobiegniewo and Nowa Wieś. Today these towns are located within the Gostynińsko-Włocławski Park Krajobrazowy or the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park, which was established in 1979.

The Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park is located in two voivodships (provinces); Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Kuyavian-Pomeranian) and Mazowieckie (Masovian).

Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Masovian Voivodeship

The park is also located in three powiaty (counties); Włocławski on the Kuyavian-Pomeranian side and Gostyniński and Płocki on the Masovian side. 

Włocławski

Gostyniński

Google Maps will not show the proper boundaries for Powiat Płocki, only for the city of Płock. The park is located in two gminy (districts) of Płocki; Gmina Łąck, Gmina Nowy Duninów. 

Gmina Łąck

Gmina Nowy Duninów

To summarize the following are locations where I might find genealogical records related to my Ginter Günther family;

Włocławek (a city/county, was Leslau, not part of Gmina Włocławek), 

         Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Gmina Włocławek (rural), Powiat Włocławski,    

         Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Mursk (near Ładne), Gmina Włocławski, Powiat Włocławski,          

         Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Wistka Szlachecka, Gmina Włocławski, Powiat Włocławski,              

         Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Dobiegniewo, Gmina Włocławski, Powiat Włocławski,   

         Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Nowa Wieś, Gmina Nowy Duninów, Powiat Płocki, 

         Masovian Voivodeship 

Additionally, church records related to Nowa Wieś are associated with Gostyniń.

Gostyniń, Gmina Gostyniński, Powiat Gostyniński,

          Masovian Voivodeship

The only district of the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park not known to be a place of record for my ancestors is Gmina Łąck, part of Plock county. Because of its close location, however, I would not rule it out in a survey for records. 

Next time on The Scrappy Genealogist: Where to look first for records. 

Research on!

Jennifer Shoer aka Scrappy Gen

Reconnecting Relatives, LLC

Let's Remember!

Google, GoogleMaps (https://www.google.com/maps/ : accessed 26 May 2015). 

Ambushed and Prizes too!

DearMYRTLE sent me a message with some exciting news to add to the already exciting news I shared in Prepare to Be Ambushed at NERGC. 

She is bringing prizes; an audio headset, an HD video webcam and a Samsung Galaxy 7" tablet! 

As if you needed one more good reason to spend three days taking genealogy classes and hanging out with genealogy friends.

Hope to see you next week in Providence!

Research on!

Jennifer Shoer aka Scrappy Gen

Reconnecting Relatives, LLC

Let's Remember!

Prepare to be Ambushed at NERGC!

Who pops into your head when you combine the words selfless giving with genealogy education? I think of Pat Richley-Erickson, also known as DearMYRTLE.

DearMYRTLE is a force in the Google+ Hangout on Air world where she hosts many different series all with the same goal, to help us. In DearMYRTLE's Genealogy Community, she takes advantage of the latest genealogy developments and creates cutting edge educational programing designed to help all types of genealogists learn the newest techniques for furthering their research. 

DearMyrtle is well known for attending conferences with her AmbushCAM. Pat, along with her famous Cousin Russ, will be at the 13th genealogical conference presented by the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium in Providence, Rhode Island at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Pat and Cousin Russ will use the AmbushCAM to interview attendees and vendors about the experience. 

Message from DearMYRTLE: "We want to show how *easy* it is to record even short interviews using a camera. Those videos are automatically archived on YouTube if you do this using Google's free Hangouts on Air. 

This is a GREAT idea for family reunions."

DearMYRTLE and I at SLIG 2012. 

I agree and can't wait to see this duo in action in person. Meanwhile, check out the DearMYRTLE YouTube channel. 

Ok, conference goers, prepare to be ambushed!

Research on!

Jennifer Shoer aka Scrappy Gen

Reconnecting Relatives, LLC

Let's Remember!