High quality, 1:10,560 scale Ordnance Survey historical mapping for free, you say? Lead me to it… Click for a larger version. Image from National Library of Scotland Site.

If you’re engaged in the local online community, you’ll have no doubt caught up with this already, but for those who haven’t, there’s a new historical mapping resource available online right now, free of charge, and it’s really rather special.

I believe the site was first widely publicised locally by friend of the blog, kite photographer and Aldridge historian Barry Carpenter. I think the local press have since picked up on it from Barry, and gone quite mad over it. However, it is a stunning thing and worthy of all the fuss.

In a nutshell, the National Library of Scotland have put the entire collection of historic British Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 large scale mapping online, browsable for free. They’re even happy to let you take screenhots. The digitisation of the mapping is far, far better than any I’ve seen before, and the site is speedy and comprehensive.

Dont take my word for it, go look here.

Not only is the mapping online, but there is great information also available.

• Information about the maps, projection and triangulation
• A key to symbols used on the mapping
• A huge guide to abbreviations used
• Details on coverage and editions
• How they were printed

To save the faffing around, I’ve made some links up at the bottom of this post to popular and useful local maps. Off you go – fill your boots!

What an excellent thing. My compliments to the technicians involved.

The links below are not complete lists – just the ones I think are very useful. Go browse for the full selection.

Brownhills Central and North (inc. Chasewater)

• 1883
• 1901
• 1938

Shire Oak, Walsall Wood, Clayhanger & Pelsall

• 1883
• 1901
• 1938

Stonnall & Lynn

• 1883
• 1900
• 1938

Lichfield & Whittington

• 1883
• 1903
• 1938

It was all going on in Brownhills Central in 1938…