So what is the GNIS? It's a great database by the US Geological Survey. Try it at: http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnis/web_query.gnis_web_query_form Enter, Indiana, Randolph and cemetery from the type list and you will get 39 cemeteries listed with maps linked. Not listed are the Huntsville & Buena Vista cemeteries (and perhaps others). I emailed the GNIS Manager and asked why Huntsville and Buena Vista were not listed. I got a response asking what the names were and I responded: >> To the best of my knowledge the name of the Randolph County IN >> cemetery adjacent to the town of Huntsville is "HUNTSVILLE CEMETERY." >> >> The cemetery a few miles due north of there is adjacent to the >> Buena Vista Church and is named "BUENA VISTA CEMETERY. >> >> Again, both these cemeteries are indicated on topozone.com maps >> and why they are missing from the GNIS is beyond my comprehension. >> >> Thank you for looking into this matter and possibly adding them. >> >> M. M. Main I got two responses, the first quoted only in part: >> So, we have not been successful in discovering a source indicating a name >> for these two cemeteries. Further, this database is the National >> Geographic Names Database, and is the repository for official geographic >> names and locative attributes about named entities of all types of which >> cemetery is but one type. We often have to prioritize materials for >> examination in collecting information. We are keenly interested in adding >> information. For features that are not natural features, that is, >> cemeteries, etc., if you can provide verifiable information, such as >> reference to a map or written document with the name and location, we shall >> be happy to include additional entries. Also, individuals can provide to us >> the name and locative attributes along with a citation of the source that >> shows the name. Thank you for the interest. >> >> Manager GNIS >> 703.648.4544 >> gnis_manager@usgs.gov >> We appreciate this information, but please refer to our previous email. >> We shall investigate as time permits, but with our small staff and other >> priorities, it could be days, weeks, or months before we can verify the >> information. As indicated, if you can provide a verifiable citation for >> these names, we can add the entries quickly. >> Manager GNIS >> 703.648.4544 >> gnis_manager@usgs.gov I responded as follows: > Thank you for both your responses and I do understand and appreciate > the problem you have with the name having to be "OFFICIAL." > > I'd like permission to share this response and the quoted portion > of your prior response with the Randolph County genealogical mailing > list at rootsweb.com where there are many interested folks, one of > whom may be able to provide certifiable names for the Huntsville and > Buena Vista cemeteries. > and the response was: > Yes, thank you for offering to do so. We should be very interested in any > information they have to offer. > > Manager GNIS > 703.648.4544 > gnis_manager@usgs.gov

Mac, We have family buried in Huntsville Cemetery. Please define "official". Thanks, Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: Mac Main To: INRANDOL-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 9:37 PM Subject: [INRANDOL] Cemeteries listed by the GNIS. GNIS needs our help to document names. (LONG) So what is the GNIS? It's a great database by the US Geological Survey. Try it at: http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnis/web_query.gnis_web_query_form Enter, Indiana, Randolph and cemetery from the type list and you will get 39 cemeteries listed with maps linked. Not listed are the Huntsville & Buena Vista cemeteries (and perhaps others). I emailed the GNIS Manager and asked why Huntsville and Buena Vista were not listed. I got a response asking what the names were and I responded: >> To the best of my knowledge the name of the Randolph County IN >> cemetery adjacent to the town of Huntsville is "HUNTSVILLE CEMETERY." >> >> The cemetery a few miles due north of there is adjacent to the >> Buena Vista Church and is named "BUENA VISTA CEMETERY. >> >> Again, both these cemeteries are indicated on topozone.com maps >> and why they are missing from the GNIS is beyond my comprehension. >> >> Thank you for looking into this matter and possibly adding them. >> >> M. M. Main I got two responses, the first quoted only in part: >> So, we have not been successful in discovering a source indicating a name >> for these two cemeteries. Further, this database is the National >> Geographic Names Database, and is the repository for official geographic >> names and locative attributes about named entities of all types of which >> cemetery is but one type. We often have to prioritize materials for >> examination in collecting information. We are keenly interested in adding >> information. For features that are not natural features, that is, >> cemeteries, etc., if you can provide verifiable information, such as >> reference to a map or written document with the name and location, we shall >> be happy to include additional entries. Also, individuals can provide to us >> the name and locative attributes along with a citation of the source that >> shows the name. Thank you for the interest. >> >> Manager GNIS >> 703.648.4544 >> gnis_manager@usgs.gov >> We appreciate this information, but please refer to our previous email. >> We shall investigate as time permits, but with our small staff and other >> priorities, it could be days, weeks, or months before we can verify the >> information. As indicated, if you can provide a verifiable citation for >> these names, we can add the entries quickly. >> Manager GNIS >> 703.648.4544 >> gnis_manager@usgs.gov I responded as follows: > Thank you for both your responses and I do understand and appreciate > the problem you have with the name having to be "OFFICIAL." > > I'd like permission to share this response and the quoted portion > of your prior response with the Randolph County genealogical mailing > list at rootsweb.com where there are many interested folks, one of > whom may be able to provide certifiable names for the Huntsville and > Buena Vista cemeteries. > and the response was: > Yes, thank you for offering to do so. We should be very interested in any > information they have to offer. > > Manager GNIS > 703.648.4544 > gnis_manager@usgs.gov ==== INRANDOL Mailing List ==== To Forget One's Ancestors Is To Be a Brook Without A Source, A Tree Without a Root. - Chinese Proverb ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237