It's still Family History Month, so here's a little tip I learned about the library's Heritage Quest Online database in a recent online webinar:
After logging in, choose Census and Browse. After you choose a census year and state, a link will appear that says "View State Map."
When you click on the link, it opens a new window with a map of that state. Current counties are outlined in white; counties for the census year are outlined in black.
In 1850 (pictured at left), Erath county (of which Stephenville is the county seat) didn't exist. It - and part or all of many of today's surrounding counties - were part of a then-huge Milam county.
By 1860 (pictured below), some boundaries had changed. Erath County's boundaries are close to what they are now. Adjacent Hood and Somerville counties were part of Johnson County in 1860. The maps also note information such as the fact that all census records for Tarrant County (Fort Worth) were lost for 1860.
For the 1870 census (pictured below), Erath County has the shape it has today. However, apparently there are no records for adjacent Palo Pinto County - indications are that it was not enumerated separately, and perhaps was not enumerated at all.
These handy maps can help the researcher figure out where to look for ancestors.
After logging in, choose Census and Browse. After you choose a census year and state, a link will appear that says "View State Map."
When you click on the link, it opens a new window with a map of that state. Current counties are outlined in white; counties for the census year are outlined in black.
 |
| Texas in 1860 |
In 1850 (pictured at left), Erath county (of which Stephenville is the county seat) didn't exist. It - and part or all of many of today's surrounding counties - were part of a then-huge Milam county.
By 1860 (pictured below), some boundaries had changed. Erath County's boundaries are close to what they are now. Adjacent Hood and Somerville counties were part of Johnson County in 1860. The maps also note information such as the fact that all census records for Tarrant County (Fort Worth) were lost for 1860.
 |
| Texas in 1860 |
 |
| Texas in 1870 |
For the 1870 census (pictured below), Erath County has the shape it has today. However, apparently there are no records for adjacent Palo Pinto County - indications are that it was not enumerated separately, and perhaps was not enumerated at all.
These handy maps can help the researcher figure out where to look for ancestors.
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