----- Original Message ----- From: "Lori/Todd (by way of Tim Stowell <tstowell@chattanooga.net>)" <takhome@qwest.net> To: <WIGEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 7:17 PM Subject: [WIGEN-L] City name changes <snip> > What I am pondering is, is there some way to make finding Grand Rapids & > Kilbourn City (and other places like them) easier? Do we need to? Just > looking for some ideas/thoughts. Thanks! >Lori Korotko I am working on this for my county. I am listing all the current townships, villages, cities, etc., as well as places known by the locals that aren't really any of the above and don't appear on most maps. In addition to that, I will include any "also known as" or former names for any places that I know of. As far as doing this on a statewide basis, there is a project that I have wanted to do for some time, and that is create an index to _The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names_ by Robert Gard and L.G. Sorden. The book is not currently in print, but is under copyright, so I have to contact the publisher to find out if this would be something they would allow me to share. It certainly would be helpful for researchers, though, as it contains many "formerly known as" sites, all identified by county. Deana Hipke Marinette County WiGenWeb Coordinator http://www.rootsweb.com/~wimarine The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 http://userpages.chorus.net/dhipke/peshtigo.html

> As far as doing this on a statewide basis, there is a project that I have > wanted to do for some time, and that is create an index to _The Romance of > Wisconsin Place Names_ by Robert Gard and L.G. Sorden. The book is not > currently in print, but is under copyright, so I have to contact the > publisher to find out if this would be something they would allow me to > share. It certainly would be helpful for researchers, though, as it contains > many "formerly known as" sites, all identified by county. Yes, Deana, I've read that book before. I think an index is an excellent idea. So much of rural Wisconsin uses township names or physical features to give a location that don't appear on any map. I can think of several examples in Columbia Co. so I imagine statewide there must be hundreds. I need to address this more thoroughly on my site and perhaps we could do something at the state level too. Nothing elaborate is necessary, just a simple two column list of what the place was/is called and in what county it can be found. The CCs could contribute the names. Of course, this makes work for someone (sorry!). I just had a baby and he's a good excuse for not having time to do anything (except feed, change, rock...repeat). So I guess it is up to the rest of you, if you think such a list would help people locate the information they need more easily, please speak up. Thanks! Lori Korotko Columbia County Coordinator WIGenWeb/USGenWeb Project www.rootsweb.com./~wicolumb/wicolumb.htm