KML or boundaries for FamilySearch place map(s)
I am sure the idea has been suggested before but I didn't find it through searching Community or Help Center documents.
Sometimes, if documentation or other maps reference specific boundaries for a placename - it would be nice for https://www.familysearch.org/research/places
to be able to include either kml/boundaries for these places.
This could be problematic and may be why the map(s) currently do not include these options - i don't know. Obviously places/boundaries change over time and I am not certain if 'Places within' is the best way to indicate areas/boundaries in FamilySearch mapping (i assume this to be the case from what i can tell)?
Answers
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Boundary maps would indeed be helpful. Absent them, I keep notes about what alternate search terms to use to cover the ambiguity.
Gazetteering is very complex and painstaking work. I would hope FamilySearch is collaborating with other providers, not duplicating all their work.
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They have been working on this, at least to some extent. I have no idea how much, however.
If you to to the Places database and search for a county in the United States, say King county in Washington, you will sometimes see "Show Boarders" at the top of the page:
Click to see the boundaries:
I also have no idea how much, if any, of boundary changes through the years they have included in this.
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Thank you for this information! It would indeed be a huge task. I wondering if they are leveraging other existing providers/databases. I wonder if they will accept community boundary contributions attached to place name submissions?
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