When I read this outstanding post by Katie Noah Gibson, I was excited at the possibilities. Of course, I immediately thought of mapping my family tree.
My plan is twofold: on a fundamental level, I will get a ginormous map of the world and stick tiny color-coded labels representing each direct-line ancestor.
The second stage of my plan is more complex and would probably require individual maps. It involves tracing each of those people as they moved about in their lives. I envision a criss-crossing of lines and colors which will be a visual feast of family group movement.
I’m expecting to learn so much more about my ancestors by mapping their lives. In addition, this process will no doubt inspire new discoveries, new questions, new opportunities to engage other family members in leafing out our family tree.
I’d like to know: if mapping your family tree sounds like a great idea, let me know your plan and share your progress.
AncesTrees 
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April 27, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Jacqi Stevens
What a festive map that will end up being! You’ll need to be sure and include a photograph of the finished product…well, as finished as it will get, as genealogy research is never truly done.
I found your blog today, thanks to a mention in GeneaBloggers this morning. My eye caught the surname SHIELDS in the listing of those lines you are researching. I am working on a Shields line right now, myself. Of course, the possibility of a connection is rather slim, but it’s nice to run across someone else working on similar lines.
April 28, 2013 at 9:11 pm
AncesTrees
Great to hear from you, Jacqi. In my tree, Elizabeth Shields, abt. 1788 in GA, is my 4th great grandmother. Her daughter Nancy Cunningham, 1807 Knox Co., IN is the mother of Margaret Thompson, 1834 IN, who was the mother of Ada Ann Thompson, 1861, IN, who was the mother of my grandfather Charles L. Beauchamp, 1881, Knox Co., IN, who was in turn father to my mother, Otha Beauchamp Reed, 1916, Pulaski Co., AR.
Not sure if our lines intersect, but am always happy to help fellow researchers when they do or when their family trees have roots in the north Texas area.
June 4, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Su Leslie
I’m beginning something of the sort as a road map for an upcoming visit to Scotland. I’ve been mapping the addresses of one group of ancestors from records, and plan to visit all those addresses. Luckily, being Scotland, many of the places still exist (although I’ve found at least one address that’s now under a motorway or bypass). I even recognise some from my own time living in the UK. I’m going to take LOTS of photos.
June 4, 2013 at 5:08 pm
AncesTrees
Fantastic! What a marvelous road trip that will be, with stops at places that are special to you and your family. And having photos to go along with your memories and trip diary or journal will be great for your family tree or scrapbooking project. Wishing you the best time ever 🙂