Maps are one of the key sources that allow you to retreat in your research. To back up to a different time and often a different jurisdiction. The map presented here is a great example: The Tennessee Valley Authority—
The records for this vast waterway are preserved on microfilm at a number of archives and libraries including the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. And while I haven’t counted the total number of counties across 7 states–you can see for yourself that many counties were directly involved.
Relocated cemeteries, condemnation and sale of much land, claims submitted by probate officials, advertisements in newspapers for missing owners and heirs, and on and on.
Most genealogies from these areas in the South, although counties have suffered great record loss, do not draw upon the records for the Tennessee Valley Authority created and preserved by the United States Federal Government.
When you see this map–why wouldn’t you check them out? Your favorite genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://arleneeakle.com
PS Is this “Picture worth a thousand words?”