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Maps: Can't find it?

Can't find what you're looking for?

Can't find the maps you want? Here are some common issues:Image from Edward Quin's historical atlas of 1830

Many maps are published as a series and there's just one record for the whole set. So if you want, for instance, an Ordnance Survey Landranger map covering Oxford, you need to search under Britain, and then order the sheet you want. If you want a detailed map of a district in Botswana, it's worth searching under Botswana as well as under the name of the district. It's a little like searching for a journal article, where you have to begin by finding the record for the journal in order to locate a relevant article.The section on series mapping has more information.

If you're looking for a map that was originally published in a book or atlas, it may not be individually catalogued. But there are often reference sources that can be used to track it down.

Manuscript estate maps don't always have a record in SOLO if they are part of our manuscript collections, but Special Collections staff can help to find them. 

Let us help! If you are having difficulty please contact the Map Room.

Even if we don't hold the maps you're looking for, we may be able to suggest other sources.