Since late 1994 a major project has been underway at QMW to capture the changing administrative boundaries of England and Wales from the mid-C19 to 1973 in a Geographic Information System (GIS). We hope to be able to add Scotland and Ireland with the help of collaborating institutions. The time period stretches from the origins of 'modern' statistical data collection to the Redcliffe-Maud local government reforms and digital boundary data becoming available. This will provide a new framework to allow us to look at the socio-economic structure of the British Isles as it changes through time and space over the past 150 years.