Boundaries
Why County Lines Follow Rivers in Some Places and Ignore Them in Others
Why county lines follow rivers in some places and ignore them in others: compare maps and records to distinguish…
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All pieces
Browse Eastern County Journal by subject, from boundary lines and place-name clues to landscape, routes and local records. Each piece starts with a question a reader can follow without specialist equipment.
Place Names
A Place Name Is a Clue, Not a Complete History
Learn how to read a place name without mistaking one element for a complete history; compare spellings, landscape and…
Local Records
The Map Margin Matters: Reading Scale, Date and Purpose
Learn how to read county map scale, date and purpose so you can choose evidence that fits your question and avoid…
Routes
The Shortcut That Wasn't: Common Errors When Tracing Old Routes
Tracing old routes means comparing maps without mistaking straight lines or modern roads for proof. Learn which clues…
Landscapes
A County Hilltop Walk Planned Around the View
Plan a county hilltop walk around the view: choose a suitable public high point and use the horizon, settlement and…