I am certain that CUSTOM and USAGE take priority over any set rule. I would hazard a guess that if the location name ends in a vowel, then the IAN ending or a variant would be called for. (Ian, An or similar suffix). Ethnic origins of the early settlers of an area would also have influence. (Indianans are called HOOSIERS.) I am sure that the ANsuffix comes from a Latin origin. since the Latin (Roman) and Greek system is so important in our political basis. The influence of German is also apparent. It was te MOST common root language in the colonial period, with the Swiss and German influx in our expansion period from 1709-1800. Kentuckian, Califotnian, Idahoan. However this also applies to some state ames that do not end in a vowel. Washingtonian, Oregonian, etc. The State of Maine has me guessing... -- Jeffery Scism, IBSSG http://blacksheep.rootsweb.com/ International Blacksheep Society of Genealogists Links to my Homepages: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~scismfam/ Genealogy is the art of the living haunting the dead.... Heritage is the anchor in the sea of life, holding us steady, giving us a standard to live up to or beyond, a compass for our course, and a place to call home. DNA: 13-25-14-11-11-13-12-12-13-13-14-29