Brian,

I recently organised a training session in Dorset where the legal RoW officer
from Dorset CC presented on the process of making Definitive Map Modification
Order (DMMO) claims. Two points he made are relevant to your question:

1) He would rather receive claims containing a number of good sources of
evidence than dozens of old, small scale maps; this is on the basis that many of
the maps are effectively identical, having used the same source data.
2) We must consider why the map was produced, ie what was the publisher trying
to show, when we interpret the meaning of the map as evidence.

However, remember that a successful DMMO claim doesn't require proof beyond
reasonable doubt, just balance of probability. To achieve that it is best to get
as much evidence as possible from many sources. Commercial maps can and do help
in supporting claims, EG by helping to prove that a route existed at a certain
time or to show topographical evidence for why a route may have exited, but they
are unlikely to be primary proof of a public right of way. Inclosure maps,
estate maps and Finance Act evidence, for example, can provide the sort of
"killer" evidence you require and I try to find that first then use commercial
maps as further supporting evidence. With the ever diminishing time we have left
for claims it is important to use the best evidence first; in Dorset I know of
many inclosure maps that have not yet be used in claims so that's what I'm
concentrating on.

Sorry I can't answer your question as such but I hope that was of some use.

Jonathan.


----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Sussex
To: ordnancemaps@...
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2004 6:25 AM
Subject: [ordnancemaps] Help please ref map makers' credentials!


I realise that my question isn't directly OS related but I don't
know of another forum where there are so many map experts so her
goes.
My love (obsession?) of old maps has grown out of an interest in RoW
research and I have quite a collection now of old commercial maps
covering Devon. However, when using these old maps as part of a
package of evidence to try and prove the existence (on the balance
of probability) of an old fp/bp/bw, the evidence will carry more
weight if one can produce the bona fides of the map maker. I was
surprised how little biographical information I have been able to
find on the web although it could be down to my "search" technique -
or lack of it. Any help appreciated! If you can point me to a web
resource or book then I am happy to do my own research ;o)

a) John Cary - apparently regarded as one of England's finest
cartographers but does this mean he did his own surveying and, if
so, did he get any awards or recognition for accuracy i.e., why was
he highly regarded?
b) Daniel Paterson - I have some lovely examples of pages from
Paterson's British Itinerary but the same questions apply as to Cary.
c) Edward Mogg - same questions as for Cary
d) Edward Weller - ditto
d) Emmanuel Bowen - ditto
e) W Hughes - ditto
f) Geographia - whose maps were they and are they credible?

Thanks in advance

Brian




The ordnancemaps group is independent of The Charles Close Society
http://www.charlesclosesociety.org.uk and The Ordnance Surveys of Great Britain
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk, Northern Ireland http://www.osni.gov.uk/ and
Ireland http://www.osi.ie/.Members may wish to check out past emails to the
group in the ordnancemaps archive at
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/ordnancemapsails to the group in the
ordnancemaps archive at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/ordnancemaps



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/ordnancemaps/

b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ordnancemaps-unsubscribe@...

c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.577 / Virus Database: 366 - Release Date: 03/02/2004

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]