Reference
Z720/2-199
Title
Ordnance Survey maps (Scale 1:2500 or 25" to the mile) used for rating valuation purposes and donated by Black Horse Agencies
Stimpsons, Surveyors and Valuers, 56 St Loyes Street, Bedford, 20 August 1990
The exact purpose of the maps, many of which are stamped J R Eve and Son, Bedford, is not clear, but they
were probably prepared for the Poor Law Unions who were responsible for rating and valuation between 1862-1927. Some of the maps are marked with the name of the Union and Union boundaries are indicated on them. Sometimes two or more maps are joined together end to end.
The maps do not correspond with any of the existing valuation books at the Record Office, nor are they dated, although the base Ordnance Survey Maps used are 1st (c1880-1884) and 2nd (1901) editions.
Research value - the maps give the names of owners and occupiers of agricultural land and very occasional references to land use (such as gravel pits), acreages and roads. There is virtually no usable information for built-up areas.
Condition and survival rate - maps survive for the areas covered by the Ampthill, Bedford and Luton Poor Unions - about three quarters of the county. Many of the maps were badly affected by mould and a few consequently had to be destroyed.
Date free text
c. 1880-1927
Production date
From: 1880 To: 1927
Level of description
sub-fonds