Making Maps with Google

Family historians are fascinated with maps. Now, thanks to Google Maps, it's easy to create our own custom mapsto not only pinpoint locations important to our research, but also provide information about those locations right onthe map. Once a custom map is built, it can be shared with others and even included on a web page or blog. Withall these capabilities, you may think it will be a difficult process but you'll be surprised to find it's really quite easy.Here's a quick overview to get you started.

Getting Started

Before you can begin creating your own custom maps, you will need a free Google account. Sign in using yourGoogle username and then head to Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps). Now click on the

My Maps

linkat the top of the page.

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Click

Create new map

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In the My Maps sidebar, enter a title and description for your map and choose whether you want the map to bepublic or private. You can click the

Save/Saved

button at anytime during your map creation process. If you'readding lots of points and content, saving regularly during the editing process will protect you from losing your workshould something happen to your system while you're working.

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