Hertfordshire is situated to the north of London and stretches from Royston in the north to Watford in the south and Bishop's Stortford in the east. Hertfordshire is largely rural but has always been greatly influenced by the fortunes of London, for which it has always acted as a major supplier.

Originally agricultural produce would have been the principal goods sent to London, but these days the traffic to London is more likely to be of the human variety, particularly in the south and west of the county where the major commuter hubs of Watford, St Albans and Hatfield are situated. Your Hertfordshire ancestors, particularly from these areas, are very likely to have links to London in some way.

The county town is Hertford which is in the eastern half of the county. Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies Centre is located in County Hall in Hertford.

The map below shows Hertfordshire in the 18th century. Click on the map for a larger version.

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