no luck with research

[GroundScrounger]

I have spent a multitude of hours on the net trying to establish a basis for research into old, active loacations for old coin search I spent 3 or more hours last night just trying to find a Dubuque county road map. I did not succeed. Ive struggled over old platt maps but what can i do with property lines. ive really put in the hours but I need a boost. If I had an old map showing roads and businesses and could superimpose it with a current map of the same sort, that would be great. However, I just want to get a bit farther than I've gotten. TQ members have been very generouse and helpfull with information on a lot of subjects. I need some help here. Please dont hold back, and the more details you can render the better. Thank You much for all and any input. I'm Totally stuck.

[LeoinPA]

I've been successful useing these maps from Topozone. Is this what you need?
TopoZone - Browse Iowa Topo Maps and Aerial Photos - Iowa Topographic Maps

Thanks
Leo

I usually don't use maps but do find lots of valuable information by visiting senior citizen centers and talking to the folks there. They can often provide information that is not in the books or maps.

[rip]

If you are having trouble finding info on the internet,try going to your local library,historical society etc.The internet is a wonderfull thing but far from perfect ! Talk to the older residents of your area,first hand knowledge is always best ! For maps try the U.S.G.S. site,they have tons of old topo maps !Also the Nat.arcives have a lot of info.Look for the "works progress" section they hired people during the depression to interview people about anything and everything and i have found tons of storys told by oldtimers about life in the past in my area.Hope this helps and good luck !

[Metalman]

Try a different search,, try looking for CW battlefields and or supply routes in map searches, anything that might provide you with a starting point to expand from .

I also use the talk to the seniors approach and its a great resource, they can tell you things that will not only help you in your MDing ,but its also just a great way to meet some of the most interesting folks you will ever have the pleasure of meeting.

if you have a BPOE lodge or even a ELKS,Eagles, or similar clubs in your area many of them have pictures and events dating quite a ways back in the local history.

a local history museum can also be helpful, ours here has large reproduction maps that you can view, and develope info from, these maps here have stage line routes ,military trails and encampments ,railroad lines and water towers, as well as weigh stations and many different locations marked it makes them easy to Identify land marks and things like that .

Metalman

[cjoej]

You have lots of good leads here, but there two that not everyone is knowledgeable about.

1. Sanborn Insurance maps: these have lot ownership and structure information (want to know where the outhouse was?), they go back to the early part of the 20th century and sometimes earlier. I have even found copies on CD to search with my computer.

2. Coles Directory: This was published yearly and gives a wide variety of information. You can look up someones name and it will tell you their address, occupation, employer, etc. It can also provide information on type of business for a particular area and lots more. Look in the Library for these as they Are Copyrighted and expensive, so not many people bought them, but they are very usefull if you learn how to use them. Libraries with a 'Small Business Resource Center' are sure to carry the current issue, but many Libraries have archive copy's of older issues.

HH

Joe