> We still use Montgomeryshire in our postal address. I read somewhere that
> although the administrative boundaries were changed in the 1960s and 70s
> (and previously), the geographical counties were not changed.
> Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly was meant by the geographical
> counties, and which easily accessible maps show them?
A quick overview of what even the OS has called a "jigsaw" of administrative
boundaries, with some comparative maps, can be found at:
--Association of British Counties: FAQ at
http://www.abcounties.co.uk/FAQ.htm; and several explanatory notes in the
appendix to their Gazetteer of British Placenames at
http://www.abcounties.co.uk/newgaz/section2.htm#section2 (That gazetteer
shows places with both their traditional county locations as well as various
admini units; you can buy/download the entire gazetteer or use the search
engine for free.)
--GenUKI, the genealogy site:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Regions/England.html and nearby pages.
--Ordnance Survey has downloadable maps showing pre-1995 boundaries:
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/freegb/1995.htm
--New to me at the ABC site, is a resource relating to the postal system:
Be Properly Addressed: A Traditional County Postal Directory
Under the Royal Mail's Flexible Addressing policy, the correct traditional
County name can now be included in any U.K. postal address. This Directory
lists the correct traditional County for every U.K. Post Town. [Go to
http://www.abcounties.co.uk/bpa/bpacontents.htm for the directory and more
info.]
--
Al Magary
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