1920 Historical Virginia Counties Map

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Create custom areas from ZIP Codes or Counties

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Color-code Counties from a spreadsheet

Create a custom color-coded map using a live link to a Google Sheet containing U.S. Counties

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Type or paste a comma-separated list of 5-digit and/or 3-digit ZIP Codes into the box below, OR

Click here to select ZIP Codes by drawing on the map

see a sample map

1. In Google Sheets, create a spreadsheet that includes these columns: ZIP Code, Data* and Color. If additional columns are present, a "more..." button will appear above the map when the user clicks on your custom area. • Free version has a limit of 1,000 rows; monthly contributors can map up to 10,000 rows per map
• You can use any combination of 5-digit ZIP Codes and 3-digit ZIP Codes
• Map data will be read from first tab in your Google Sheet; the first row must contain column headers
• If you don't have a Google Sheet, create one by importing from Excel or a .csv file
• The header of the Data column will be used as the map legend heading
• Links included in the sheet beginning with https:// will be clickable when the user clicks the map on that ZIP Code
• The Color column is optional. If used, the Color column can contain any browser-supported color name or any 6-digit hex color code

2. In Google Sheets, Share your spreadsheet with Anyone with the link permissions and click the Copy link button In Google Sheets:
1. Click the Share button in the upper right corner
2. Click the Get link section in the box that appears
3. Change the sharing setting to Anyone with the link (keep the drop-down to the right set as Viewer)
4. Click the Copy link button
5. Click Done
See screenshot of these 5 steps

3. Paste the link you just copied into the box below:

* What is the Data column? The Data column is the first column in your spreadsheet other than ZIP Code and Color, such as Territory in the image at right. The Data column will appear in the map legend.

Click here to select ZIP Codes for your spreadsheet by drawing on the map
Color-code ZIP Codes from spreadsheet example

see a sample map

1. In Google Sheets, create a spreadsheet that includes these columns: County, State Abbrev, Data* and Color. If additional columns are present, a "more..." button will appear above the map when the user clicks on your custom area. • Free version has a limit of 1,000 rows; monthly contributors can map up to 10,000 rows per map
• Map data will be read from first tab in your Google Sheet; the first row must contain column headers
• If you don't have a Google Sheet, create one by importing from Excel or a .csv file
• The header of the Data column will be used as the map legend heading
• Links included in the sheet beginning with https:// will be clickable when the user clicks the map on that county
• The Color column is optional. If used, the Color column can contain any browser-supported color name or any 6-digit hex color code

2. In Google Sheets, Share your spreadsheet with Anyone with the link permissions and click the Copy link button In Google Sheets:
1. Click the Share button in the upper right corner
2. Click the Get link section in the box that appears
3. Change the sharing setting to Anyone with the link (keep the drop-down to the right set as Viewer)
4. Click the Copy link button
5. Click Done
See screenshot of these 5 steps

3. Paste the link you just copied into the box below:

* What is the Data column? The Data column is the first column in your spreadsheet other than State, County and Color, such as Salesperson in the image at right. The Data column will appear in the map legend.

Click here to select Counties for your spreadsheet by drawing on the map
Color-code counties from spreadsheet example

see a sample map

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Add points from a spreadsheet

Create a live link to a Google Sheet containing latitude/longitude points or addresses

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Import points and lines from a KML file

Export to KML from Google My Maps, Google Earth or GIS software

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1. In Google Sheets, create a spreadsheet that includes these columns: Longitude, Latitude, Data* and Color. You can also map Addresses**. If additional columns are present, a "more..." button will appear above the map when the user clicks on your custom point. • Map data will be read from first tab in your Google Sheet; the first row must contain column headers
• If you don't have a Google Sheet, create one by importing from Excel or a .csv file
• Longitude and Latitude must be in decimal degrees such as -87.633, 41.854 for Chicago (note: the U.S. and western hemisphere have negative longitudes)
• The header of the Data column will be used as the map legend heading
• Links included in the sheet beginning with https:// will be clickable when the user clicks the map on that custom point
• The Color column is optional. If used, the Color column can contain any browser-supported color name or any 6-digit hex color code
• If present, the Address column must contain U.S. addresses in this format: address, city, state, ZIP Code**
• If you don't already have Longitude/Latitudes and want to build your Google Sheet interactively: As you click the map or use Search places, the Long Lat is shown above the map and you can copy/paste it into your Google Sheet

2. In Google Sheets, Share your spreadsheet with Anyone with the link permissions and click the Copy link button In Google Sheets:
1. Click the Share button in the upper right corner
2. Click the Get link section in the box that appears
3. Change the sharing setting to Anyone with the link (keep the drop-down to the right set as Viewer)
4. Click the Copy link button
5. Click Done
See screenshot of these 5 steps

3. Paste the link you just copied into the box below:

* What is the Data column? The Data column is the first column in your spreadsheet other than Lat, Long and Color, such as Name in the image at right. The Data column will appear in the map legend.

** Addresses will be converted to Latitude and Longitude so they can be mapped. Read details about mapping addresses.

1. Export a KML file containing points or lines from Google My Maps, Google Earth or GIS software • Only points and lines will be mapped from your KML file
• To use KMZ files exported from Google My Maps, you must also share your Google My Maps with Anyone with the link permission. KMZ files can be buggy, so if you have issues, use a KML file instead.
• For points, the KML file MUST contain Longitude and Latitude (geocoded addresses without coordinates are NOT supported)
• Routes can be exported from Google My Maps using the Add directions button, specifying your from and to location, then exporting the route data from the map in KML format

2. Upload the KML file to Google Drive

3. From Google Drive, right click the file and choose Share. In the General access box, click Anyone with the link, then click Copy link and then Done

4. Paste the link you just copied into the box below:

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1920 Historical Virginia Counties Map

Why would you want to see Google Maps of historical U.S. county boundaries? County boundaries in the U.S. have changed over 17,600 times since America was settled in colonial times! This historical counties tool built on Google Maps will help you make sure you’re searching in the correct county for the place and any historical date you are researching.

Research with confidence with this historical U.S. counties map tool built using the complete dataset of the authoritative Newberry Library’s Atlas of Historical County Boundaries project.

Quick Tips for using this 1920 Historical Virginia Counties Map tool

  1. There are four ways to get started using this Historical U.S. Counties map tool
    • Type any PRESENT-day place or address in the “Search places” box above the map and choose the one you want from the auto-complete list
    • Click the map to see the historical county name for where you clicked (Monthly Contributors also get Dynamic Maps)
    • To search using GPS coordinates use the “Find lat long” box in the top right above the map*
    • Click the button in the upper right corner of the map to use your current location. Click the button again to automatically update your location every 1, 5 or 10 minutes (Monthly Contributors also get an option to update every several seconds, shown as ◉A for Active).**
    Then, type any HISTORIC date or year in the “As of date” box and click GO! In the free version, the date can be a 4-digit year; Monthly Contributors can also type a specific date. Dates can be formatted as YYYY, M/D/YYYY, M-D-YYYY or YYYYMMDD.
    Historical county boundaries will draw, and the historical county name for the location will appear above the map. Click the “more…” button for details on the latest boundary change that occured prior to the date you specified, including reference to the particular statute that triggered the change. The latitude and longitude for the blue dot is also displayed.
  2. Optionally, check the “Show labels” checkbox in the lower left corner of the map to see the names of the historical counties on the map
  3. Check the “Show chronology” checkbox in the lower left corner of the map to see a complete listing of every county boundary change for your chosen location from the date you typed back in time to original county formation
  4. NEW! Use the SHOW PRESENT DAY LAYERS panel in the lower left corner of the map to show present-day county lines, city limits, civil townships and section township range with the historical counties. If you have historical county labels checked and are also showing present-day civil townships, then civil township labels will also draw.
  5. NEW! Use the “Find parcel” tool below the map to search for a present-day Section, Township and Range, for example from a land deed. Tip: You don’t have to specify a Section if you only know the Township and Range. Also, you can leave the PM (Prime Meridian) set to “any” and the tool will let you know if there are multiple matches. NOTE: THIS SEARCHES PRESENT-DAY TOWNSHIP RANGE, NOT HISTORICAL TOWNSHIP RANGE.
  6. Subscribe to receive notification of tool updates and usage tips

* You can search using various formats of latitude longitude, including degrees, minutes and seconds; degrees and decimal minutes; or decimal degrees
** The “Locate” button will be more accurate on smartphones and other devices containing a GPS; desktop browsers typically show an approximate location

Census Bureau Statistics

Click the “Census” links above the map to show the following Census demographic data for the feature the blue pin is located in

Populations and People
Total Population
Income and Poverty
Median Household Income
Education
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
Employment
Employment Rate
Housing
Total Housing Units
Health
Without Health Care Coverage
Families and Living Arrangements
Total Households
Race and Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

Why would you need a map with historical county boundaries?

Here are several example uses for historical U.S. counties on Google Maps (see disclaimer):

  • Genealogical Research: While tracing your family tree, pinpoint where your ancestors lived and understand how county changes might have affected them.
  • Archival Searches: If you’re delving into historical records, knowing the pertinent county during the time in question ensures you’re searching in the right archives or courthouses.
  • Land and Property Lineage: Understand the context of historical ownership changes of a piece of land or property over the years, especially if county borders shifted.
  • GPS Coordinate Historical Context: For specific GPS points, understand which county they would have fallen under at any given past date.
  • Historical Address Verification: Determine the specific county of a present-day address during a past era, aiding in accurate historical context and study.
  • Academic and Educational Insights: Teachers, students, and researchers can better grasp county evolution, aiding in geography, history, and social studies education.
  • Infrastructure and Urban Planning: Urban planners can consider historical county boundaries when assessing older infrastructure, roads, and city development patterns.
  • Cultural and Community Evolution: Understand the historical narratives, events, and shifts that influenced community changes over time.
  • Legal and Land Dispute Clarification: Provide context to historical legal disputes or issues rooted in historical county demarcations and jurisdictional changes.
  • Environmental and Ecological Studies: Researchers can trace environmental changes, land use, and conservation efforts in relation to historical county boundaries.
  • Historical Tourism and Exploration: Travelers keen on exploring historical sites can gain context about the county boundaries that existed during significant events or eras.
  • Economic and Societal Analysis: Economists and sociologists can study past county-based data to understand economic shifts, migrations, and societal changes.

Looking for PRESENT-day county boundaries on Google Maps? Here it is: County Lines tool.

Find Historical Counties by radius or by drawing a line or shape

  • To find Historical Counties within a radius or near a line or shape you draw*:
    1. Click the “Selection Tools” button in the lower left corner of the map
    2. – RADIUS SELECT: To find Historical Counties within a radius, specify the mileage in the “Select map features within x mile(s) of shapes I draw” box, then use the Point “Add a marker” tool to draw a point in the middle of the radius
      – TOUCHING A LINE OR SHAPE: To find Historical Counties that touch a line or a shape you draw, use the Line tool or Shape tool to draw the shape, double-clicking when finished
      – WITHIN DISTANCE OF A LINE OR SHAPE: To find Historical Counties that are within a distance of a line or a shape you draw, first specify the mileage in the “Select map features within x mile(s) of shapes I draw” box, then use the Line tool or Shape tool to draw the shape, double-clicking when finished
    3. The Historical Counties will be highlighted and listed in a “Results from map” box below the map, where you can copy the selected Historical Counties for use in a spreadsheet or other document
      – Optionally, keep drawing shapes to select more Historical Counties
    4. When you are finished selecting Historical Counties, click the “Done Selecting” button in the lower left corner of the map

    * Historical Counties for the date or year you have specified in the “As of” date box will get selected if any part of the shape you draw falls within the historical county boundaries

FAQs for 1920 Historical Virginia Counties Map

How do I view a map of 1920 Historical Virginia Counties on Google Maps?
View this 1920 Historical Virginia Counties map tool. The historical Virginia counties will be displayed on the map, and you can also overlay present day counties, townships and more.

Why was this tool created? Many people have requested to be able to see historical county lines from the Newberry Library’s Atlas of Historical County Boundaries displayed on top of Google Maps.

While some other tools can show the Newberry Atlas in GIS formats for Google Earth, requiring downloads and installation, this free tool shows the entire Newberry Atlas of Historical County Boundaries overlaid on Google Maps in a web browser. Therefore, you don’t have to download, install or import anything, and you can even use it on your smart phone or tablet.

Coverage Notes

– Coverage includes all 50 US states, from as early as 3/4/1629 through 12/31/2000. For present-day county lines use the County Lines on Google Maps tool.

Other Notes

  • The Search places box uses a standard Google Maps geocoding engine, therefore you can type PRESENT-day street addresses, road names, points of interest, etc. to see what historical county that present-day location was part of as of the historical date you specified
  • You can use the < and > buttons on the sides of the ‘As of date’ box to quickly jump back and forward a decade.
  • For convenience, when you specify only a four-digit year (and not a full date), the tool will default to using the US Federal Census date that was used in that decade. (This is also true when using the < and > buttons.) Lining up with Census dates makes genealogy research easier when comparing to other records. If you do not want to use the Census date, specify an exact date instead in M/D/YYYY format.
  • Some counties or regions were claimed by more than one jurisdiction in some historic years. When this is the case, more than one county will be listed, and the ‘more…’ button will show you the details of the jurisdictional claims.
  • The map layers from which this information is extracted are very large, so it may take several seconds to finish drawing
  • Note that typing an address will zoom in the map very close, whereas typing a city or county by itself will show you a map with a wider view

Sources

Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, a project of The Dr. William M. Scholl Center for American History and Culture at The Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois. The information is included in this tool under the Creative Commons license shown on the bottom of the linked page.
– US Census Bureau

Have a genealogy blog or website? Create your own custom link to this Historical U.S. Counties Map for any year and place

DISCLAIMER

Accuracy and Limitations: The information provided by this map tool has been obtained from various public data sources shown in the Sources box above. These sources have varying degrees of reliability and completeness and are subject to change over time. Additionally, while the latitude and longitude values displayed by the map marker suggest a high degree of precision, you should be aware that the underlying Google Maps and source data may not reflect this level of accuracy nor precision.

No Legal or Surveying Use: Due to these potential inaccuracies, this tool is not intended for, and must not be used for, legal, surveying, or any critical decision-making purposes. The information is provided on an as-is basis for general reference and entertainment purposes only. For specific inquiries regarding data accuracy or fitness for use, please consult the original data sources. For decisions requiring precise location data, consult the appropriate government or other authoritative sources, and seek professional legal advice.

Agreement to Terms: BY USING THIS WEBSITE, YOU ACCEPT AND AGREE TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OUTLINED ON THIS LINKED PAGE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ALL PROVISIONS OF THE COPYRIGHT, TERMS OF USE, DISCLAIMER AND PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THESE TERMS, DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE.





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