RandyMajors.org Maps simplifies research by combining authoritative publicly available map data with familiar Google Maps-based tools.
The tools make it easier to find, see and use boundary, location and map-reference information — such as counties, city limits, ZIP Codes, townships, and your own custom data — without learning complex software or piecing together raw data scattered across multiple sources, agencies and file formats.
Why are these map tools built on Google Maps?
Google Maps* is familiar to nearly everyone, which makes it a natural base map for these tools.
Why not use Google Maps itself rather than the map tools on this website?
There are many map features not fully covered by Google Maps. This website aims to fill many of those gaps, including these commonly requested tools:
Main Map Tools
Current Location Tools
Ancestry/Research Tools
- Historical U.S. Counties
- Historical U.S. Counties Auto-Checker (Google Chrome extension)
- Section Township Range
- AncestorSearch
- PeopleSearch
If the data used by the tools on this website are publicly available elsewhere, why use the tools on this website?
In a word, simplicity. It shouldn’t be so cumbersome to see the map you want and find the answers you’re looking for. The tools on this website are built so you can get the answers you’re looking for with as few clicks and steps as possible. In most cases, literally one or two clicks.
No downloads, no installation, no importing/exporting required. Just go to the tool you want to use based on your topic of interest (e.g. county lines, city limits, ZIP Codes), and either type a place you’re interested in or explore the map, and you have your answer.
mapBuilder: Custom mapping made easy!
Try out mapBuilder found just below most map tools to build a custom map that you can share!
- Draw & measure on the map lets you draw custom points, lines and shapes
- Create custom areas from a list of ZIP Codes lets you create ZIP Code-based sales/service territories and delivery areas
- Color-code modules let you create county or ZIP Code maps from live-linked spreadsheets, including heatmaps
- Add custom points and lines module enables you to live-link to a Google Sheet containing points, or import points and lines from Google Earth or Google My Maps
- Add your own map title, colors, basemap styles
- Monthly Contributors can also save maps and drawings to their account
Check out the Reference Maps section in the menu for convenient maps and images by state and county for many of the above topics.
What countries do the map tools cover? While many of the tools are U.S.-specific, there are a number of tools with broader coverage: The ability to Draw & measure on the map, Elevation, Time Zones, AncestorSearch and PeopleSearch have worldwide coverage; County Lines covers eight countries; and Area Codes covers several.
If you have ideas, questions or comments, feel free to get in touch using the Help | Contact link at the bottom of every page.
Happy mapping!
Randy
P.S. Find out more about how you can get access to Ad-Free Fullscreen map tools!
About Randy Majors
Randy Majors studied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at CU Boulder in the early 1990s, when computerized mapping was beginning to reshape how people worked with location data. His hands-on mapping experience began early, with a paid junior-high job doing fieldwork and drafting maps for a land surveyor; later, he interned at the U.S. Geological Survey as part of his studies.
Early in his career, Randy led the development and growth of GIS/geospatial businesses and products, while also speaking widely to planning, government, real estate and other professional audiences about how emerging mapping technology could be put to practical use. He later led geospatial product development at a division of a Fortune 500 company before moving on to broader executive leadership roles there.
A lifelong map geek, Randy even operated a street-corner “map stand” in elementary school — in lieu of a lemonade stand — and volunteered at the Chamber of Commerce, where he helped visitors find their way around.
Randy launched RandyMajors.org Maps in 2006, bringing together his mapping experience and lifelong curiosity to help people quickly answer real-world “where?” questions with clear, familiar map tools.
* This website has no affiliation with Google LLC. Google Maps™ mapping service, Google™ search, Google Earth Engine™ analytics platform and Google Custom Search™ service are trademarks of Google LLC.
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