There are many guides available to researchers interested in genealogy, as well as several established methods for recording and presenting genealogical research. Several guides have been prepared specifically for those working on PEI families, and the most important places to find these guides and resource groups are the Provincial Archives and Records Office (PARO), the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, the PEI Genealogical Society, and the Island Register site.
Place is one of what genealogists call the NDPs of family research. NDP stands for the three main points of reference in your family tree: the names of your ancestors, the dates of birth, marriage, death and other important events, and the places where each event occurred. But, why should we use historical maps for doing genealogy? Just as they help with navigating through physical space, historical maps can help you find your way to other genealogical documents. They are especially useful for identifying:
- the institutions (schools, courts, churches, etc.) nearest and most accessible to your ancestors
- the political districts most likely to contain your ancestor’s records
- any changes in political boundaries
- any changes in place names
- the names of tenants and owners of land
On Prince Edward Island there is little risk of finding an ancestor whose property appeared close to a changing County or Lot line, although this becomes a factor near urban boundaries. For instance, the lots delineated by Samuel Holland in the winter of 1764-1765 have not changed significantly, but the properties in Charlottetown Royalty were eventually incorporated into Charlottetown’s city limits. The main geographical boundary to be aware of when using Island land records is the location of land records for Prince County. This County’s land registry records, as well as crown grants, and copies of its wills are housed in the Summerside Registry Office; all other land records, including the registry records for Queens and Kings Counties are located in Charlottetown (Coles, 37).
A basic rule of thumb in genealogical research is to start with the known and work toward the unknown, that is, start with what you know about yourself and your immediate family and work backwards in time. The same can be said for using Island maps for tracing your family tree. First, start with your own location; has your family lived there for more than a generation? What about other land that is owned or occupied by your relatives; was it passed down to them from previous generations?