I use the Deedmapper maps for my background and even they get quite "busy" looking when mapping a lot of plats in one area over a period of time. For the times I need the greater detail of a USGS topo map, particularly to locate a plat, I print out a transparency of the plat to the same scale as the topo. Then I do the "lo-tech" method of sliding the transparency around on a paper copy of the topo to help locate it or study the individual plat for more details. Margaret ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill" <bill-good1@attbi.com> To: <DEED-MAPPER-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, May 12, 2003 1:08 PM Subject: [DMU] USGS maps > All, > At the USGS website and other sites like topozone.com you view only a > small part of a topo/DRG, you have to save the .jpg and paste/combine > many of them together to make a useable map or to make one USGS > quadrangle. You need to be competent in some type of Graphic program > like photoshop to combine/align their(.jpg) borders. > > DRG= Digital Raster Graphic=Topographic Map > DeedMapper maps are made from DLG's =Digital Line Graphs, Not > topos/DRG's. > > DRG/topo maps have a lot of information on them and many colors. > My experience using them with deedmapper is that it is difficult to see > your plats (especially if you have many plats close together!) on them > because of all the "busy colors & lines" greens, browns, elevation > lines, power lines, roads boundaries national park boundary, etc... all > the "Stuff" that makes topos useful. When you zoom in with deedmapper > the topo image quality also suffers for the simple reason is that they > are scanned images. > > If you use topos as a background image in deedmapper and align you plats > to it, then toggle/switch to the deedmapper maps/DLG's (so you can see > your plats more clearly)your plats will not be aligned to the deedmapper > map. This gets very frustrating ! > > So my advise is choose one map or the other and stick to it. > > You can embark on a mission to teach yourself a whole new area of > computing - GIS, and buy additional software so that you can edit your > GIS information. If you go through all of this you will not need > Deedmapper for platting since you will have spent a small fortune on > other more advanced software. > > > DRG= Digital Raster Graphic and DLG's =Digital Line Graphs and other GIS > dataset downloads are available at very reasonable price's at many > places on the WWW. > > I use two identical projects - one with DRG's, one with > DeedMapper/DLG's. > > So much for my $0.02 worth > > Best, Regards, > Bill > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

In a message dated 5/12/2003 10:19:34 AM Eastern Standard Time, gregl@starfishnet.com writes: > It's the link to the Digital Raster Graphic which you want. Thanks. Guess the USGS doesn't make it very easy to find. Now I remember this site. Nice maps to look at, but tedious to download (each display is 12 separate images). I find it easier to scan the original. Mike

At 09:25 AM 5/12/03 -0400, Mpierce1@aol.com wrote: >richhill@twcny.rr.com writes: > > Here is another idea. The federal government has an online site where > you can download topo maps for anywhere in the country and you can zoom > in and out to several different scales. > > Here is the url: http://geonames.usgs.gov/ > >I've heard this before, but I can never find any USGS map download capability >at this site or any other. What are you referrring to? Mike, The site is the query form off of this page. Here's the URL: http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnis/web_query.gnis_web_query_form You query the system with as much of the information that you have, and you will be presented with either a table of results to choose from (if there is more than on hit) or with a report of a single hit. Once you find the one you're interested in, if you scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll see the following: "Display FIPS55 Place Code Note: Not all place codes are available through this site. To search the FIPS55 database or download FIPS55 files, go to the FIPS55 site View USGS Digital Raster Graphic (DRG) covering this feature from TerraServer. A DRG is a digitized version of a USGS topographic map. Visit the USGS Digital Backyard for more information. View USGS Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) covering this feature from TerraServer. A DOQ is a black-and-white, aerial photographic image map. Note that images are not available for all locations. Visit the USGS Digital Backyard for more information. Show Feature Location using maps produced from the U.S. Census Bureau's Tiger Map Server. Find the Watershed for this feature using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's site." It's the link to the Digital Raster Graphic which you want. Clicking this link will send you to the Terraserver ( http://terraserver.microsoft.com ) and return the initial topo map for the area you searched for. You can make this map larger, zoom in or out, and pan in all directions. I have downloaded and combined these maps into a pretty good chunk part of Rutherford Co., NC, and I have a few plats on that map, with plans to add many more later when I can find a way to accurately identify where they should be. Peace, Part of the Tree, Greg >I have gone to the USGS sales office near DC and asked and they say there is >no such product.

All, At the USGS website and other sites like topozone.com you view only a small part of a topo/DRG, you have to save the .jpg and paste/combine many of them together to make a useable map or to make one USGS quadrangle. You need to be competent in some type of Graphic program like photoshop to combine/align their(.jpg) borders. DRG= Digital Raster Graphic=Topographic Map DeedMapper maps are made from DLG's =Digital Line Graphs, Not topos/DRG's. DRG/topo maps have a lot of information on them and many colors. My experience using them with deedmapper is that it is difficult to see your plats (especially if you have many plats close together!) on them because of all the "busy colors & lines" greens, browns, elevation lines, power lines, roads boundaries national park boundary, etc... all the "Stuff" that makes topos useful. When you zoom in with deedmapper the topo image quality also suffers for the simple reason is that they are scanned images. If you use topos as a background image in deedmapper and align you plats to it, then toggle/switch to the deedmapper maps/DLG's (so you can see your plats more clearly)your plats will not be aligned to the deedmapper map. This gets very frustrating ! So my advise is choose one map or the other and stick to it. You can embark on a mission to teach yourself a whole new area of computing - GIS, and buy additional software so that you can edit your GIS information. If you go through all of this you will not need Deedmapper for platting since you will have spent a small fortune on other more advanced software. DRG= Digital Raster Graphic and DLG's =Digital Line Graphs and other GIS dataset downloads are available at very reasonable price's at many places on the WWW. I use two identical projects - one with DRG's, one with DeedMapper/DLG's. So much for my $0.02 worth Best, Regards, Bill

I have the Delorme Topo state maps for the state of Tn and have found them to be of no use in trying to import them into DeedMapper. I subscribe to http://topozone.com/ and use their maps. It is no simple task downloading their maps and importing them into DeedMapper but it can be done and I use them all the time. I can adjust the scale so that DeedMapper plots are to the same scale as the Topozone maps. Dale 09:16 AM 5/12/2003 -0400, you wrote: >Hello everyone, > Thank you all for such quick responses. This sounds like an attentive > group with knowledgeable members which is always nice to be a part of. > It sounds like no has yet tried either of the NGS or Delorme Topo state > map software programs yet for use as map images for locating and placing > plots in DeedMapper. I expected they would have sufficient detail and > resolution to be useful but was apprehensive about whether I could > capture the image directly in the right size easily. I'd hate to spend > $100 for one state just to find out ;-) > >Mike wrote: > >>What state/county are you working on? > >Currently South Carolina, about 15 miles south of Spartanburg along >Jimmy's Creek which flows east from Woodruff to the Tyger River. > >Marie wrote: > >>Would it help to see what maps look like with the background maps >>purchased through DeedMapper? >Yes. I plan to start with these but I haven't quite figured out how to >determine which one/s I need as yet. I just need to spend some time >figuring out how to define what I need and place an order. They appear to >be made for use with DeedMapper and should require the least effort to use >(sizing, etc.). I also don't know yet the relative detail available and >the topo maps appear to have quite a bit. I may not be able to have my >cake and eat it too. > >Shirley, I'll post any information along the lines of my experience with >the DM maps and any others. > >Dick wrote: > >>The federal government has an online site where you >>can download topo maps for anywhere in the country and you can zoom in >>and out to several different scales. >> >>Here is the url: http://geonames.usgs.gov/ >I haven't seen this page before even though I've been to the USGS site >looking for USGS map sources. I'll check it out. It sounds like it might >be very helpful once I figure out how to use it. > > All of you have been very helpful. Thank you again for your responses. > I'll try to return in kind once I get some experience ;-) > Take care all... Pete > >-- >Peter and Connie Bradish <bradish@attglobal.net> > > > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, >go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

In a message dated 5/12/2003 8:15:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, richhill@twcny.rr.com writes: > Here is another idea. The federal government has an online site where you > can download topo maps for anywhere in the country and you can zoom in and > out to several different scales. > > Here is the url: http://geonames.usgs.gov/ > I've heard this before, but I can never find any USGS map download capability at this site or any other. What are you referrring to? I have gone to the USGS sales office near DC and asked and they say there is no such product. I've scanned the paper maps for my area. Mike

Hello everyone, Thank you all for such quick responses. This sounds like an attentive group with knowledgeable members which is always nice to be a part of. It sounds like no has yet tried either of the NGS or Delorme Topo state map software programs yet for use as map images for locating and placing plots in DeedMapper. I expected they would have sufficient detail and resolution to be useful but was apprehensive about whether I could capture the image directly in the right size easily. I'd hate to spend $100 for one state just to find out ;-) Mike wrote: > What state/county are you working on? Currently South Carolina, about 15 miles south of Spartanburg along Jimmy's Creek which flows east from Woodruff to the Tyger River. Marie wrote: >Would it help to see what maps look like with the background maps purchased through DeedMapper? > Yes. I plan to start with these but I haven't quite figured out how to determine which one/s I need as yet. I just need to spend some time figuring out how to define what I need and place an order. They appear to be made for use with DeedMapper and should require the least effort to use (sizing, etc.). I also don't know yet the relative detail available and the topo maps appear to have quite a bit. I may not be able to have my cake and eat it too. Shirley, I'll post any information along the lines of my experience with the DM maps and any others. Dick wrote: >The federal government has an online site where you >can download topo maps for anywhere in the country and you can zoom in and out to several different scales. > >Here is the url: http://geonames.usgs.gov/ > I haven't seen this page before even though I've been to the USGS site looking for USGS map sources. I'll check it out. It sounds like it might be very helpful once I figure out how to use it. All of you have been very helpful. Thank you again for your responses. I'll try to return in kind once I get some experience ;-) Take care all... Pete -- Peter and Connie Bradish <bradish@attglobal.net>

Here is another idea. The federal government has an online site where you can download topo maps for anywhere in the country and you can zoom in and out to several different scales. Here is the url: http://geonames.usgs.gov/ Oh, and for what it is worth you can flip between the topo map and an aerial or satellite photograph of the same place and scale that you selected in the topo. I use it all the time and it is a wonderful tool. I have found cemeteries by looking for fields with unusual driveway patterns and you can even see the white lines in the highways. As to how to scale it to DeedMapper I suspect that you could manipulate it with Photoshop or some such photo editing software to scale it to an exact size you need. The images are jpg's. Have fun! Dick Hillenbrand Syracuse, NY ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter and Connie Bradish" <bradish@attglobal.net> To: <DEED-MAPPER-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2003 9:21 PM Subject: [DMU] NGS and Delorme TopoQuad maps question > Hello, > I'm new to the group even though I've had DeedMapper for 4 years. I've > just started to seriously use it and am interested in whether anyone has > any experience with using either the National Geographic Society's topo > map programs (they sell for about $100 per state) or Delorme's TopoQuad > maps (basically the same price). > Has anyone tried capturing images from either of these programs and > been successful in using the results? If so, am I better off using the > maps from Direct Line Software or scanning a purchased USGS map? > My initial reaction is that resolution and scaling the map image > properly to work with DeedMapper would be the key to whether it would be > worth using the above mentioned topo map programs or not. They aren't > cheap, but if they work well maybe they would be worth it if one has > enough M&B plots in one state to justify it. > Thanks for your efforts and time in replying or commenting. > Take care all... Pete > > -- > Peter and Connie Bradish <bradish@attglobal.net> > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

Hi, I'm brand new to DeedMapper, so I can't be of any help. I'd be interested, however, in any usable and suitable answer you find to your questions. Thanks for writing. And good luck. Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: Peter and Connie Bradish <bradish@attglobal.net> To: <DEED-MAPPER-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2003 9:21 PM Subject: [DMU] NGS and Delorme TopoQuad maps question > Hello, > I'm new to the group even though I've had DeedMapper for 4 years. I've > just started to seriously use it and am interested in whether anyone has > any experience with using either the National Geographic Society's topo > map programs (they sell for about $100 per state) or Delorme's TopoQuad > maps (basically the same price). > Has anyone tried capturing images from either of these programs and > been successful in using the results? If so, am I better off using the > maps from Direct Line Software or scanning a purchased USGS map? > My initial reaction is that resolution and scaling the map image > properly to work with DeedMapper would be the key to whether it would be > worth using the above mentioned topo map programs or not. They aren't > cheap, but if they work well maybe they would be worth it if one has > enough M&B plots in one state to justify it. > Thanks for your efforts and time in replying or commenting. > Take care all... Pete > > -- > Peter and Connie Bradish <bradish@attglobal.net> > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Hi, Just to let you know I can't help you out on contacting Kim Barr - don't know of any updated list. Good luck! ----- Original Message ----- From: The Hughes's <hughes5@hdo.net> To: <DEED-MAPPER-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2003 5:48 PM Subject: [DMU] Looking for Kim Barr > I am seeking to contact Kim BARR who registered in the Research Database as > follows: > > NC, Ashe > Watercourse: whole county > Time Period: 1790-1830 > Famiy Name: many > Researcher: Kim Barr, 7114 Preston Fall City Rd., Issaquah, WA 98027 > > The email address is no longer valid. I you are on this list, or someone > knows of an updated email list, please respond to my email. Thank you. > > John Hughes > hughes5@hdo.net > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Hello, I'm new to the group even though I've had DeedMapper for 4 years. I've just started to seriously use it and am interested in whether anyone has any experience with using either the National Geographic Society's topo map programs (they sell for about $100 per state) or Delorme's TopoQuad maps (basically the same price). Has anyone tried capturing images from either of these programs and been successful in using the results? If so, am I better off using the maps from Direct Line Software or scanning a purchased USGS map? My initial reaction is that resolution and scaling the map image properly to work with DeedMapper would be the key to whether it would be worth using the above mentioned topo map programs or not. They aren't cheap, but if they work well maybe they would be worth it if one has enough M&B plots in one state to justify it. Thanks for your efforts and time in replying or commenting. Take care all... Pete -- Peter and Connie Bradish <bradish@attglobal.net>

I am seeking to contact Kim BARR who registered in the Research Database as follows: NC, Ashe Watercourse: whole county Time Period: 1790-1830 Famiy Name: many Researcher: Kim Barr, 7114 Preston Fall City Rd., Issaquah, WA 98027 The email address is no longer valid. I you are on this list, or someone knows of an updated email list, please respond to my email. Thank you. John Hughes hughes5@hdo.net

Hi, I don't know anything about DeedMapper yet. I just downloaded it but have not been able to do anything with it as my husband had open heart surgery Wednesday. Ann -----Original Message----- From: Jim Barrett [mailto:parino@flash.net] Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2003 7:22 PM To: DEED-MAPPER-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [DMU] The Product - DeedMapper I am considering buying DeedMapper and have some questions for the company. I tried to call twice today, about an hour before and an hour after Noon Central time. I didn't get an answer either time. Does anyone know if there is a "Good" time to try to call them? Do they have a test version that can be downloaded? Thanks. Jim Barrett Bedford, TX Parino@flash.net ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Hi Jim, Did you get my e-mail off of some DeedMapper list? Just curious. Don't know if there is a test version. ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Barrett <parino@flash.net> To: <DEED-MAPPER-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2003 7:21 PM Subject: [DMU] The Product - DeedMapper > I am considering buying DeedMapper and have some questions for the company. > I tried to call twice today, about an hour before and an hour after Noon > Central time. I didn't get an answer either time. Does anyone know if there > is a "Good" time to try to call them? > > Do they have a test version that can be downloaded? > > Thanks. > > Jim Barrett > Bedford, TX > Parino@flash.net > > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Thanks to all of you who replied to my question. I talked to Steve last night. Jim Barrett Bedford, TX Parino@flash.net -----Original Message----- From: Jim Barrett [mailto:parino@flash.net] Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2003 6:22 PM To: DEED-MAPPER-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [DMU] The Product - DeedMapper I am considering buying DeedMapper and have some questions for the company. I tried to call twice today, about an hour before and an hour after Noon Central time. I didn't get an answer either time. Does anyone know if there is a "Good" time to try to call them? Do they have a test version that can be downloaded? Thanks. Jim Barrett Bedford, TX Parino@flash.net ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

At 07:21 PM 5/1/03, you wrote: >I am considering buying DeedMapper and have some questions for the company. >I tried to call twice today, about an hour before and an hour after Noon >Central time. I didn't get an answer either time. Does anyone know if there >is a "Good" time to try to call them? > >Do they have a test version that can be downloaded? > >Thanks. > >Jim Barrett >Bedford, TX >Parino@flash.net see: http://users.rcn.com/deeds/index.shtml

No test version -----Original Message----- From: Jim Barrett [mailto:parino@flash.net] Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2003 4:22 PM To: DEED-MAPPER-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [DMU] The Product - DeedMapper I am considering buying DeedMapper and have some questions for the company. I tried to call twice today, about an hour before and an hour after Noon Central time. I didn't get an answer either time. Does anyone know if there is a "Good" time to try to call them? Do they have a test version that can be downloaded? Thanks. Jim Barrett Bedford, TX Parino@flash.net ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

I am considering buying DeedMapper and have some questions for the company. I tried to call twice today, about an hour before and an hour after Noon Central time. I didn't get an answer either time. Does anyone know if there is a "Good" time to try to call them? Do they have a test version that can be downloaded? Thanks. Jim Barrett Bedford, TX Parino@flash.net

FYI-IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED JUST HIT THE DELETE BUTTON! I am a regular subscribed member of this list for my own genealogy research in addition to which I am an adjunct instructor for genealogy at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas. As such I have organized this genealogy conference for the past six summers. This year I am pleased to working with Melvin C. Johnson of Nacogdoches, Texas, who is another adjunct instructor Angelina College. We are both available to give programs to other groups as long as we can talk about the genealogy conference at Angelina College. Contact us privately for topics and fees. Brochures are now available for the 7th annual ANGELINA COLLEGE GENEALOGY CONFERENCE, to be held the last weekend in July, Thursday, July 24 through Saturday, July 26, 2003, in Lufkin, Texas. The bulk mailing went to the post office on Tuesday. If you are not on the mailing list, but would like a brochure contact the college via e-mail at abrowning@angelina.edu and one will be sent to you. Or write or call, Attn: Genealogy Conference, Angelina College, P. O. Box 1768, Lufkin, Texas 75902-1768 or call 1-936-633-5400 Mrs. Ann Browning will answer Small Business Development Center. She is the secretary delegated in Community Services to handle the mailing out of requested brochures. Pre-conference computer workshop, DeedMapper by Michael John Neill will be $55.00 including lunch on Thursday. It will be a hands-on class limited to 20 people in the Science building computer lab. At the door parking in the north parking lot. Regular conference registration fee is $120.00 for eight sessions on Friday and Saturday and a Friday night program plus five meals (continental breakfast and lunch two days and Friday night banquet buffet meal). All events of the regular conference (except for the two lunches and one dinner in the college cafeteria) will be in Hudgins Hall for Music and Liberal Arts, the old fine arts auditorium. Just off the south parking lot. At the door parking and no walking from building to building. However, this means that registration is limited to roughly the first 100 people to apply. DAYS INN Headquarters motel at $49.00 per night for two people includes deluxe continental breakfast. King size bed, two beds, or mini suites with a fold out sofa. Some microwaves, and minifridges. Hair driers and irns and ironing boards. Also lots of extras of five star property. Swimming pool. Please mention the genealogy conference for the special rate. 13% motel/hotel tax 1-800-329-7566 Please do not try to register before June 1st! This is a regular college continuing education class and will only be entered into the college computer system with the summer session classes. Your check earlier than June 1st will only be returned to you. Staff is not allowed to hold over checks. Anything that anyone can do to spread the word about this upcoming conference would be greatly appreciated. All Texas colleges have tightened their budgets. If enrollment is not at least at past year's levels, the conference is in grave danger of not being approved for 2004. This conference is a real asset to the genealogy community because it is the only one like it at a public supported college west of the Mississippi that we know about. We are fortunate that the college administration agreed to sponsor it for another year. IF for some reason you are not able to attend the conference this summer, but think it is still a great idea, you might care to e-mail a message of support to Dr. Frederick W. Kanke, Vice-president of Community Services at Angelina College, fKanke@angelina.edu.

Hi, I just got DeedMapper in mid-February and have not had time to do much with it yet. However, one of the areas I'm interested in is the area of Lunenburg Co VA from the Middle Fork of the Meherrin River west into Charlotte Co. I have concentrated until now on tracking down records from the Edgefield District of South Carolina, many of which belong to people who came from Lunenburg. I have now "moved back" to Lunenburg itself and am just beginning to learn the ins and outs of Virginia deeds and patents. I don't feel capable of offering much in the way of help since I don't know much about VA records, but I would be happy to order copies of Lunenburg or Charloote deeds and share results with those who are also researching this area. I feel almost overwhelmed at learning a whole new area, and I don't have a lot of time because of work constraints. But I would be delighted to help out in any way possible. The direct line family I'm researching in Lunenburg is the JOHNSON family descending from Joseph who came from Goochland about 1746 with his brother Isaac. His children intermarried with the WILLINGHAMs, WOODs, MELONEs, FOSTERs, SULLIVANTS and other families I have not yet been able to identify. if someone with more knowledge of the area would like to suggest what I can contribute to this research, I would welcome the suggestion and be happy to contribute what I can. I am eager to learn how to use DeedMapper (I did manage to "draw" one plat so far) but I haven't tried putting it together with other from a neighborhood. David JOHNSON, my direct ancestor, had land he got from Josiah Shipp on Crupper Run, I believe. Barbara Schenck