The Topographical Collection of George III contains drawn and printed maps, views and atlases produced between 1500 and 1824

The Topographical Collection of George III produced between 1500 and 1824. https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/albums/72157716220271206/with/50265295758/

This huge collection of old maps, manuscripts, and drawings is free on Flickr.com. The link is above. Take some time to explore this amazing new resource. There are 17.908 images. Here is an explanation of the collection from the British Library. 

The King’s Topographical collection, the map collection of George III, is one of the world’s most important historical resources. Donated to the nation by George IV in 1828, it comprises approximately 30–40,000 maps, plans and views, both printed and hand-drawn, of all parts of the world, particularly Great Britain and the then British Empire. The material ranges in date from about 1540 to 1824, and is extremely varied in terms of format and size.

The Maritime Collection of George III consists of hand-drawn and printed sea charts and atlases of the 16th to 19th centuries. It was donated by George IV to the Admiralty, and from there to the British Museum in 1844.

I believe the being involved in genealogical research requires a broad understanding of history, geography, and about every other subject from archeology to zoology.