The Gold Bug
The Gold Bug has been dedicated to providing you with historical information and software for genealogical research, academic study or personal interest. We have a large selection of reproductions of early maps of the U.S., Europe and the world, going back to the 16th century. Our atlas software is designed to aid in historical research.
History of the Gold Bug
The Gold Bug is a registered trademark was founded by Art Lassagne in 1962 as a resource for treasure hunters and prospectors. A storefront was opened in Lafayette, California in 1965 selling metal detectors, gold pans, prospecting equipment and books on treasure hunting and related topics. The store moved to Walnut Creek, California in 1969.
In 1971 the store was closed and the Lassagne family moved to Nevada to be closer to old mining and prospecting ghost towns of the West. At that time, the Gold Bug became primarily a mail-order business, publishing the Gold Bug Newsletter, and various related books.
In 1974, the Gold Bug moved back to California, but remained a mail order business. Moving from prospecting to research, the Gold Bug’s focus changed to early map reproductions and other geographical information, which remains its focus today.
AniMap Software 3.0.2
NOTICE: AniMap 4.0. is now for sale
In 1994, the Gold Bug ventured into software publishing with AniMap, an animated county boundary historical atlas. AniMap is used by researchers, genealogists, historians, and individuals interested in the changing boundaries for U.S. counties from Colonial times to the present day. In June 1995 the Gold Bug started its website and an online store to sell early map reproductions, gazetteers, software for historical and genealogical research and other related items.
On September 29, 2008 Art Lassagne passed away. He has been greatly missed.
Though it will never be the same without Art, the GoldBug but has continued on until December 2022 when Marilyn Lassagne passed away. The family has been helping out and will keep the software available at a cost to keep the site up.
Questions about The Gold Bug and AniMap you can email Mark Lassagne
