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Seeking Maps of Historic Portsmouth

SEACOAST MAILBAG
May 2012

Dear SeacoastNH.com, 
My daughter is currently at Middle School and her project this term is “Portsmouth People and Places.” We live in a house where we are lucky enough to have been left (when it was purchased) some of the historical documents concerning the property.  I am e-mailing you to find out if you have any maps from around 1853/55 -- which is when we believe our property was built -- showing the area. Many thanks in advance. 
Katrina   
(See our response below)

 

SeacoastNH.com Response

What a great benefit to have the history of your house passed on from the previous owners. If only more people would do that! There are at least six Portsmouth maps from 1813 to 1892. There is an 1850 map by Brewster that details the streets and a nice one from 1877 that would allow you to compare the area during the period when your house was built.

You might find these maps online if you dig, but I’m sure they are also available at the Portsmouth Athenaeum that is open to the public Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons until 4pm. Best to call ahead before you go and tell the researcher at the membership library what you are looking for. Other materials may be available in the “street file” or archive, and don’t forget to look in the City Directory from that era that may have info on who lived in your house.

Check also the same maps and more info in the History Room of the Portsmouth Public Library. There are researchers there to help and lots of material on many neighborhoods. You can also look up vital statistics, tax records, newspapers on microfilm, etc.

To get started, a great source is to buy a copy of BUILDING PORTSMOUTH by Richard Candee that provides the best overview of how Portsmouth neighborhoods evolved. You can get a copy at Discover Portsmouth (10 Middle Street) that is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Keep us posted.

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