Georreferenciamento e História Agrária: distribuição espacial das propriedades rurais a partir dos registros de terras de meados do século XIX

This study aims at evaluating the land registry records of the mid-1850s in Brazil as a source capable of delivering consistent elements for the analysis of the process of occupation and use of the land, particularly regarding the natural conditions or limitations determined by the relief and hydrography (near springs, flow, flood areas, etc..), and other geographic variables. What is proposed here takes into account the records of the ancient parish of Santo Antonio do Paraibuna. This initiative is part of those efforts being consolidated over recent years, and looking to create reliable cartographic sources based on a thorough analysis of traditional sources, mostly consisting of cartographic data itself. Consistency of analysis obviously will increase with the use of different sources, which can clarify important features such as post mortem inventories, legal proceedings, deeds of sale, for example. The proposed model was intended as an aid to historical research. Special attention is afforded to the methodology that generated a computer program developed for the purpose of rendering cartographic the non-cartographic information.