Today's article in the Ancestry Daily News talked about PLAT maps in the U.S. Similar maps are available in Canada as County Atlases. Of particular interest is the Canadian County Atlas Digital Project, digital versions of atlases that were originally printed between 1874 and 1881, including a searchable database of names. In some cases the property reference may contain a link to a portrait (drawing) of the owner and/or the property. If you can find an ancestor or relative on one of these, it often gives a starting point for further research, such as into land records that may establish other details such as when the individual bought and/or sold the property (thereby narrowing further searches).

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