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(This page's most recent update is December 2025)
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Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps are one of the most valuable yet underused tools in genealogy. Created between the 1860s and the 1960s, these highly detailed maps were designed to assess fire risk—but for genealogists, they offer something even more important: a visual reconstruction of the neighborhoods, streets, buildings, and communities where our ancestors lived.
They are essential for placing an ancestor in the physical world of their era, solving problems created by street name changes, and discovering the context of daily life. This Quicksheet explains how Sanborn Maps are organized, how to use them effectively, and where genealogists often overlook hidden information.
Download the Quicksheet
To obtain the sic-page Quicksheet PDF with details about the site for easy reference, you can download it by clicking on the Download button:
For all the previously published Quick Reference Guides, click on QuickSheets.
Genealogy QuickSheets – Frequently Asked Questions
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