Alasdair MCLEOD
Royal Geographical Society

Exploring … Family History with the Royal Geographical Society

The 2-million strong collection of books, maps, manuscript records and photographs held by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) has been designated as a collection of National and International importance by The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Covering some 500 years of geographical history along with contemporary mapping and photography, Alasdair Macleod shows how the Society’s Collections can aid the family historian to:

o Enhance their knowledge about an ancestor’s life and times
o Exploring locations known to a family member through research based on the society’s collection of over 1 million maps and atlases
o Understand the impact of peoples’ migration around the world, dating back to the Society’s foundation in 1830, including images capture by travellers dating back to the inception of photography
o Study the professional and personal achievements of family members who have a specific link to the history of geography (and travel in its widest sense) using a wealth of material ranging from Fellowship certificates and nomination records, to team and crew listings for expeditions.