Using Google My Maps for Civil War Monument, Marker, and Site Inventory

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1 An Introduction to Using Google My Maps for Civil War Monument, Marker, and Site Inventory James M. Floyd, Jr.

2 This is a free ebook. You are free to give it away (in unmodified form) to whomever you wish. The information provided within this ebook is for general informational purposes only. Although the author attempts to keep the information up-to-date and correct, there are no representations or warranties, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this ebook for any purpose. Any use of this information is at your own risk. The methods describe within this ebook are the author s personal thoughts. They are not intended to be a definitive set of instructions for this project. You may discover there are other methods and materials to accomplish the same end result. First edition, February

3 Table of Contents Introduction 4 Chapter 1 Determine the GPS coordinates Chapter 2 Create a Google Account Chapter 3 Create a Google My Map Chapter 4 Entering inventory into Google My Map Chapter 5 Publishing you Google My Map Conclusion 60 3

4 Introduction Michael Beck, PDC, and Tim Beckman, PCC, began compiling an inventory of Indiana Civil War monuments, markers, and sites as a project of Ben Harrison Camp No. 356, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Department of Indiana. Utilizing this inventory, and then building upon it, the author created the online Google My Map viewable at: Ben Harrison Camp No

5 Introduction This is ongoing project. Creating a Google My Map is an excellent, and free, way to bring your inventory of Civil War monuments, markers, and sites to life by making them accessible for visit and inspection instead of the information simply residing in a list stored away somewhere. This ebook provides easy to follow instructions for creating a Google My Map inventory for your own camp and/or department. 5

6 1 Determine the GPS Coordinates 6

7 Chapter 1 Once you know about the monument marker, or site, you will then need to know the GPS coordinates of where it is located. There are at least two ways to determine the GPS coordinates of a monument, marker, or site: 1. Use a smart phone or handheld GPS unit, and/or; 2. Use Google Maps to determine the GPS coordinates. 7

8 Chapter 1 The two styles of GPS coordinates are: 1. Decimal Degrees (example: , ); and 2. Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (example: 39 46'06.7"N 86 09'28.9"W). The easiest to work with for this project are decimal degree coordinates. 8

9 Chapter 1 Below is a link to a free online tool to convert degrees, minutes, seconds coordinates to decimal degrees, or vice versa: Coordinate Conversion Online Tool 9

10 Chapter 1 Using a smartphone The following pages demonstrate the use of an Apple iphone with the Google Maps app to determine the GPS coordinates of a monument. The Google Maps app is available at no charge through the Apple apps store. The Google Maps app is also available for Android devices. Note: GPS coordinates obtained using this method will generally be accurate to within 4 meters ( feet). 10

11 Chapter 1 Stand next to the monument, marker, or on the site. 11

12 Chapter 1 Launch the app and touch the crosshairs to place your location on the map. 12

13 Chapter 1 Touch and hold the blue dot marking your location. 13

14 Chapter 1 Pull up the menu from the bottom to see the GPS coordinates. 14

15 Chapter 1 Using Google Maps The following pages utilize Google Maps to determine GPS coordinates. This method provides better accuracy of the coordinates. This method can also be utilized to discover monuments, markers, and sites by using the satellite photos to virtually travel to, and search around, courthouses and other areas of interest. 15

16 Chapter 2 Go to maps.google.com and type in the location in the search box. 16

17 Chapter 2 Move the map to the general area the object is located in. 17

18 Chapter 2 Click on SATELLITE to see the satellite photo of the area to help you locate the object. 18

19 Chapter 2 Zoom in on the satellite photo of the area to help you locate the object. 19

20 Chapter 2 Once you have located the object, put the mouse cursor on the object then RIGHT CLICK and select WHAT S HERE? 20

21 Chapter 2 A dot will appear on the object/location and the GPS coordinates of that dot appear in a banner at the bottom of the map. CLICK on the coordinates. 21

22 Chapter 2 Use your mouse/track pad to HIGHLIGHT the decimal coordinates and then COPY and PASTE them into your Google My Map 22

23 Chapter 2 Compare the accuracy of the two methods: Smart Phone / GPS Method Google Maps Method 23

24 2 Create a Google Account 24

25 Chapter 2 Go to Click on SIGN IN. 25

26 Chapter 2 If you do not already have a Google account, or want a different account for your map, create a new account. 26

27 Chapter 2 Log into your Google account with the password you entered when creating the account. 27

28 Chapter 2 You should now see your avatar in the upper right corner. 28

29 3 Create a Google My Map 29

30 Chapter 3 Click on the MENU icon to display your Google services. 30

31 Chapter 3 Click on the Google Maps icon. 31

32 Chapter 3 Click on the MENU in the upper left corner. 32

33 Chapter 3 Click on YOUR PLACES in the menu on the left side. 33

34 Chapter 3 Click on MAPS. 34

35 Chapter 3 Click on CREATE MAP. 35

36 Chapter 3 Click on UNTITLED MAP. 36

37 Chapter 3 Enter a title and a description for your new map. 37

38 Chapter 3 Click on UNTITLED LAYER. 38

39 Chapter 3 Enter a name for your layer (such as monuments). 39

40 4 Entering Inventory Into Google My Map 40

41 Chapter 4 Type or paste the GPS coordinates for a item/location in the search bar. In this example, we are using , for the National Civil War Museum. 41

42 Chapter 4 You will now see a balloon marker appear on the map. 42

43 Chapter 4 Click on the balloon marker. Click ADD TO MAP. 43

44 Chapter 4 Click on the pen icon to edit the location details. 44

45 Chapter 4 A pop up box will ask you to name the the point and enter information. The author also pastes the GPS coordinates in the information field at this time. Click SAVE. 45

46 Chapter 4 To add a photograph, click on the camera icon. 46

47 Chapter 4 Select UPLOAD, and the either select an image or drag and drop it. 47

48 Chapter 4 Click SAVE. 48

49 Chapter 4 In future sessions, to add additional points, or to edit your map, go to MY PLACES, MAPS and then click on the name of your map. 49

50 Chapter 4 Then click OPEN IN MY MAPS to edit. 50

51 5 Publishing Your Google My Map 51

52 Chapter 5 To share your map via , social media, and/or on a website click on SHARE. 52

53 Chapter 5 Change who has access. 53

54 Chapter 5 Change to ON PUBLIC ON THE WEB. Click SAVE. 54

55 Chapter 5 You can then copy and share the link via and/or social media. 55

56 Chapter 5 To embed your map, or share via , and/ or social media click on PREVIEW. 56

57 Chapter 5 Click on the social media platform you wish to share your map on. 57

58 Chapter 5 If you want to embed the Google My Map on a website, click on EMBED ON MY SITE. 58

59 Chapter 5 Copy the HTML code and paste it in the source code of your website page. 59

60 Conclusion It is hoped this ebook provided you the basics, and confidence, in utilizing Google My Maps to create your own geographical information system to inventory Civil War monuments, markers, and sites. Yours in Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, Jim Floyd Ben Harrison Camp No. 356 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Department of Indiana 60

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