What is geo-coding and why is it important to genealogists?
Geo-coding is the process of identifying the latitude and longitude of a geographic location. This location is then displayed on a user-interactive map that allows for zooming and panning. These maps can show roads, county and/or country borders, and even satellite maps to identify the location. The primary purpose is to see the geographic location in relation to other surrounding geographic locations. An additional purpose is to follow migrations over time. Seeing surrounding communities can also help to identify neighbors and/or extended family members.