Historical maps
Ordnance Survey maps
Ordnance Survey maps can give an indication of when your property was built, and show what the area was like in the past.
While we are running our temporary service from Oldham Library, we are unable to provide access to our historical map collection.
Ordnance Survey maps held by Oldham Local Studies and Archives:
- 1:1250 and 1:2500 scale maps dating from the 1950s to 2000
- Editions of 25″ maps dating from the 1870s to the 1930s
- 6″ scale maps dating from 1848 and 1851
- Oldham town centre is covered by larger scale 5ft to 1 mile maps dating from 1848
- 10ft to 1 mile maps dating from 1879 and 1891-1892 covering the whole of the Oldham township and the town centre areas of Chadderton Crompton, Failsworth Lees and Royton
Some Ordnance Survey maps are available digitally on the National Library of Scotland website maps.nls.uk.
Tithe maps
If a property was built before Ordnance Survey Maps were published it may appear on a Tithe Apportionment Map.
Tithe Apportionment Maps show the properties that had pay tithes and are accompanied by a Tithe Apportionment Schedule.
The schedule shows:
- Description of premises
- Landowner
- Occupier
- Plot number, and name
The Tithe Apportionments for Oldham and district were compiled in the 1840s.
Oldham Local Studies and Archives hold tithe maps for Chadderton, Crompton, Failsworth, Oldham and Royton.
Constituencies
Maps showing constituencies/wards/districts held by Oldham Local Studies and Archives:
- c1890 Worral’s
- 1905 County Borough of Oldham
- 1906 Clegg
- 1907 Clegg
- 1912 Town Planning Map
- 1919 Clegg
- 1964 District Boundaries
- 1969 District Boundaries
- 1973 Oldham Wards
- 1979 Ward Boundaries
- 1983 Constituency Wards
- 1996 Constituency Wards
Dunn’s Map of Oldham
In 1829 William Dunn created a detailed map of Oldham township, known as Dunn’s Map of Oldham.
The layout is similar to a tithe map.
Buildings and land are numbered, and the accompanying schedule provide information on landowners, occupiers, descriptions of land and properties.
Enclosure maps
Enclosure Maps show how the commons were divided among local freeholders, and include properties involved in the enclosure. The maps are accompanied by an Enclosure Award detailing the land awarded.
Oldham Local Studies and Archives holds a copy of the enclosure map for Oldham township, 1804.
Maps held at Oldham Local Studies and Archives
This list is only a selection from over 2,000 maps held at Oldham Local Studies and Archives.
Key: O.S. – Ordnance Survey
| Date | Description |
| 1804 | Plans of the Commons and Wastelands within the Township of Oldham. (Inclosure Award available). |
| 1815 | Plan of Oldham Market Place and surrounding area. |
| 1815 | Plan of Oldham High Street and surrounding area. |
| 1817 | Butterworth’s Oldham (with inset showing Oldham as it appeared around 1756). |
| 1824 | Baines Oldham. |
| 1829 | Dunns Maps of Oldham (key available). |
| 1832 | Butterworth’s Parochial Chapelry of Oldham. |
| 1840 | Butterworth’s map of the country 5 miles around Tandle Hill. |
| 1840/48 | Tithe Award Maps of Oldham (schedules available). |
| 1844/48 | Lancashire 6″ O.S. series – Oldham. |
| 1848 | O.S. 5 ft Town Plans of Oldham. |
| 1849/54 | Yorkshire 6″ O.S. series – Saddleworth. |
| 1861/63 | Lancashire 25″ O.S. series – covering areas now in Oldham that were not part of Oldham at this date. |
| 1863/67 | Geological 6″ O.S. series – Oldham. |
| 1863 | Railway Survey O.S. 6″ – Oldham. |
| 1879 | Lancashire 25″ O.S. series – Oldham. |
| 1890 | Map of Lancashire showing the course of the Roman Roads. |
| 1891 | Lancashire 25″ O.S. series – Oldham. |
| 1891 | Yorkshire 25″ O.S. series – Saddleworth. |
| 1906 | Yorkshire 25″ O.S. series – Saddleworth. |
| 1909 | Lancashire 25″ O.S. series – Oldham. |
| 1921 | Platt Bros. Map showing location of Cotton Mills in Oldham. |
| 1922 | Lancashire 25″ O.S. series – Oldham. |
| 1930 | Yorkshire 25″ O.S. series – Saddleworth. |
| 1932 | Lancashire 25″ O.S. series – Oldham. |
| 1950 | 50″ O.S. series – Oldham. |
| 1970s | 1:10,000 O.S. contour maps – Oldham. |
| 1983 | Electoral Ward Boundaries and Parliamentary Constituencies for Oldham. |
| 1983 – 1992 | Goad 88ft:1 inch Shaw Town Centre. |
| 1994 – 2022 | Goad 1:1000 Shaw Town Centre. |
| 1971 – 1994 | Goad 88ft:1 inch Oldham Town Centre |
| 1995 – 2022 | Goad 1:1000 Oldham Town Centre |