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KML or boundaries for FamilySearch place map(s)

genthusiast
genthusiast ✭✭✭✭
October 18, 2021 edited December 31, 2021 in Search

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)?

Tagged:
  • New
  • Place on the map.
  • Timeline map
  • Map locations
1

Answers

  • dontiknowyou
    dontiknowyou ✭✭✭✭✭
    October 22, 2021

    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.

    0
  • Gordon Collett
    Gordon Collett ✭✭✭✭✭
    October 23, 2021 edited October 23, 2021

    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:

    Screen Shot 2021-10-22 at 8.15.43 PM.png

    Click to see the boundaries:

    Screen Shot 2021-10-22 at 8.16.36 PM.png

    I also have no idea how much, if any, of boundary changes through the years they have included in this.

    1
  • genthusiast
    genthusiast ✭✭✭✭
    October 23, 2021

    @Gordon Collett

    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?

    0
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