www.familysearch.org
FamilySearch. Research / Places ( Database ). Standards ( Team ). Ceylon.
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FamilySearch
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Research / Places ( Database )
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Standards ( Team )
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Ceylon
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The ONLY "Standard" Place name that I can find in the "Research / Places" (Database) of "FamilySearch" for "Ceylon" is for that of "Sri Lanka".
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https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=240&text=Ceylon
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https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=240&text=Sri Lanka
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The "Basic Information" and "Historical Information" were there.
But, the "Research Links" was a bit lacking.
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What about:
as "Standard" Place names
Portuguese Ceylon (Portuguese: Ceilão Português) 1597–1658
Dutch Ceylon (Dutch Governorate of Ceylon) 1640–1796
British Ceylon ( British Crown colony - Ceylon) 1815–1948
even, just as
Ceylon 1948–1972
instead of 'lumping' them as simply "Alternate Names" for "Sri Lanka"?
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Here are a few reference that I located:
(I am certain that there are many more)
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WikiPedia
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Portuguese Ceylon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Ceylon
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Dutch Ceylon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Ceylon
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British Ceylon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Ceylon
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British Ceylon period
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Ceylon_period
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Dominion of Ceylon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Ceylon
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Sri Lanka
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka
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Encyclopedia Britannica
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British Ceylon (1796–1900)
https://www.britannica.com/place/Sri-Lanka/British-Ceylon-1796-1900
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Quora
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Why was Ceylon renamed to Sri Lanka?
https://www.quora.com/Why-was-Ceylon-renamed-to-Sri-Lanka
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Submitted for your information; attention; and consideration.
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'Thank You' in advance.
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Brett
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Comments
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Brett,
Thank you for sharing this concern with us!
FamilySearch Places primary purpose is to help people, computer systems and databases share meaning around the places in our family histories. The Authorities Team (curators of FS Places data) have established a number of guidelines/best practices for FamilySearch Places. One of these reads:
RULE OF DIMINISHING RETURNS WITH INCREASING DISTANCE FROM PEOPLE: With larger jurisdictional areas - U.S. states, British counties, provinces and countries - we choose to be much less interested in changes that might otherwise be a reason to create a unique place.
FamilySearch Places needs to include all of the Alternate Names for Sri Lanka, over the course of its colonial history. We will make sure all of the names you've suggested are there.
We will not create separate place descriptions for each of the time periods you point out. Such action would result in the proliferation of very similar looking place names at different time periods - a potential point of confusion for people wishing to simply describe a village or town of Sri Lanka.
As an island nation with consistent external boundaries and very little opportunity for confusion (Sri Lanka and Ceylon are both recognizable names that do often appear in other parts of the world), Sri Lanka is best left alone with a single, simple place description. Alternate names will direct/funnel us all to a shared understanding of the place.
Thank you for your interest in FamilySearch Places!
-Dan Reeves
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@danvreeves danvreeves
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Dan
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'Thank You' for joining in on this post of mine.
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From your "Comment", you possibly appear to be a member of the "Standards" Team for the "Research / Places" Database of "FamilySearch".
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If such IS the case, can you please have something like ("FamilySearch") "Employee" or "Personnel", appended to your name; so that, we can distinguish between us 'lowly' Users/Patrons and ("FamilySearch") "Employees" or "Personnel", in these posts.
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'Thank You' in advance.
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Now ...
That said ...
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Interesting ...
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So, it does not look like, that as far as "FamilySearch" is concerned, the Place name of "Ceylon" (and, variants) will get a "Standardisation"; and, should be just 'lumped' into the "Standard" of "Sri Lanka", despite that it was NOT until 1972, that the country became a republic within the "British" Commonwealth of Nations; and, its name was changed to "Sri Lanka".
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Sad.
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Yet, "FamilySearch" DOES have some of the "Colonial" Place names of the early "Americas" as "Standards" - that seems a little bit of a "Double" Standard.
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I am sorry; but, such [ie. "Ceylon" (and, variants)] ONLY being a 'variant' names is certainly NOT acceptable.
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Please reconsider.
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Brett
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ps: Your "Standard" for "Sri Lanka" indicates = Country, —543—Present
...... Sorry, WRONG, it was never actually (known as) "Sri Lanka" until 1972.
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"FamilySearch"
Research/Places Database
Standards Team
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So, it does not look like, that as far as "FamilySearch" is concerned, the 'Place' names of, Portuguese Ceylon; Dutch Ceylon; British Ceylon; and, Ceylon, will get a "Standardisation".
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Sad.
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Yet, "FamilySearch" DOES have some of the "Colonial" 'Place' names of the early "Americas"; and, other 'Places' as "Standards" - that seems a little bit of a "Double" Standard.
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So, it is acceptable to have these as "Standards":
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British Colonial America ... Colony ... 1607-1981
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=263
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Basic Information
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The colonial history of the United States covers the history of European colonization of America from the early 16th century until the incorporation of the colonies into the United States of America. In the late 16th century, England, France, Spain, and the Netherlands launched major colonization programs in America. The death rate was very high among those who arrived first, and some early attempts disappeared altogether, such as the English Lost Colony of Roanoke. Nevertheless, successful colonies were established within several decades.
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European settlers came from a variety of social and religious groups, including adventurers, farmers, indentured servants, tradesmen, and a few from the aristocracy. Settlers included the Dutch of New Netherland, the Swedes and Finns of New Sweden, the English Quakers of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English Puritans of New England, the English settlers of Jamestown, Virginia, the English Catholics and Protestant non-conformists of the Province of Maryland, the "worthy poor" of the Province of Georgia, the Germans who settled the mid-Atlantic colonies, and the Ulster Scots people of the Appalachian Mountains. These groups all became part of the United States when it gained its independence in 1776. Russian America and parts of New France and New Spain were also incorporated into the United States at various points. The diverse groups from these various regions built colonies of distinctive social, religious, political, and economic style.
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New Holland, Hyde, North Carolina, British Colonial America ... Populated Place ... No Time Period
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=4728104
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No Information
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Canada, New France ... Colony ... 1534-1763
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=10904568
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Basic Information
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The colony of Canada was a French colony within the larger territory of New France, first claimed in the name of the King of France in 1535 during the second voyage of Jacques Cartier, later to become largely part of the modern country of Canada. The word "Canada" at this point referred to the territory along the Saint Lawrence River, then known as the Canada river, from Grosse Island in the east to a point between Quebec and Trois-Rivières, although this territory had greatly expanded by 1600. French explorations continued "unto the Countreys of Canada, Hochelaga, and Saguenay" before any permanent settlements were established. Even though a permanent trading post and habitation was established at Tadoussac in 1600, at the confluence of the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence rivers, it was under a trade monopoly and thus not constituted as an official French colonial settlement.
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As a result, the first official settlement was not established within Canada until the founding of Quebec by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. The other four colonies within New France were Hudson's Bay to the north, Acadia and Newfoundland to the east, and Louisiana far to the south. Canada, the most developed colony of New France, was divided into three districts, Quebec, Trois-Rivières, and Montreal, each with its own government. The governor of the District of Quebec was also the governor-general of all New France.
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New France ... Territory ... 1534-1867
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=10930143
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Basic Information:
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New France, also sometimes known as the French North American Empire or Royal New France, was the area colonized by France in America, beginning with the exploration of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Great Britain and Spain in 1763 under the Treaty of Paris (1763).
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The territory of New France consisted of five colonies at its peak in 1712, each with its own administration: Canada, the most developed colony and divided into the districts of Québec, Trois-Rivières, and Montréal; Hudson's Bay; Acadie in the northeast; Plaisance on the island of Newfoundland; and Louisiane. It extended from Newfoundland to the Canadian Prairies and from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, including all the Great Lakes of North America.
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Canada, Canada, New France ... Governorate ... 1534-1763
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?text=Canada, Canada, New France
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No Information
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Indonesia ... Colony ... 1603-1800
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=10743067
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Historical Information
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1618
The Dutch ruled Indonesia. They were drawn to Jakarta, a fishing village which they called Batavia, for the spice trade.
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Dutch East Indies ... Colony ... 1800-1945
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=10743066
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Historical Information
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1800
During the Napoleonic Wars Britain briefly occupied the Banda Island of Run and successfully transplanted nutmeg to Malaya, Singapore and Ceylon.
1870
Netherlands Indies government.
1925
New constitution is established.
1931
Perhimpunan Indonesia is taken over by Communists
1942
Japan invades Dutch East Indies.
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Batavia, Dutch East Indies ... Major City ... 1800-1949
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=10743068
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No Information
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Indonesia ... Country ... 1945-Today
https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=52
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Basic Information:
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Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia, between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
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But, it is NOT acceptable to have these as "Standards":
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Portuguese Ceylon (Portuguese: Ceilão Português) 1597–1658
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Dutch Ceylon (Dutch Governorate of Ceylon) 1640–1796
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British Ceylon ( British Crown colony - Ceylon) 1815–1948
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Ceylon 1948–1972
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Which are NOT "Short Lived" time periods.
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Instead of 'lumping' them as simply "Alternate Names" for "Sri Lanka", despite that it was NOT until 1972, that the country became a republic within the "British" Commonwealth of Nations; and, its name was changed to "Sri Lanka".
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I am sorry; but, having, Portuguese Ceylon; Dutch Ceylon; British Ceylon; and, Ceylon, as ONLY being a 'variant' names of "Sri Lanka" is certainly NOT acceptable.
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My Ancestor was Born in "British Ceylon"; NOT, "Sri Lanka".
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Your "Standard" for "Sri Lanka" indicates = Country, —543—Present
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As far as I am aware (and, I stand correct if I am wrong); but, it was never actually (known as) "Sri Lanka" until 1972.
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Please reconsider.
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'Thank You' in advance.
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Brett
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Brett,
Thank you for the additional information and arguments. We will spend some time reconsidering.
Dan Reeves (FamilySearch employee 🙂 )
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@danvreeves danvreeves
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Dan
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It has been 6 Months ...
Any update ...
As yet ...
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The 'Place' Names of:
Portuguese Ceylon (Portuguese: Ceilão Português) 1597–1658
Dutch Ceylon (Dutch Governorate of Ceylon) 1640–1796
British Ceylon ( British Crown colony - Ceylon) 1815–1948
have still NOT been added as acceptable "Standards".
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The aforementioned ONLY appear as "Alternate Names", which is certainly insufficient.
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'Thank You' in advance
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Brett
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Brett,
No. No update. We (the Authorities Team at FamilySearch - responsible for maintaining and improving the data within FamilySearch Places) stand by what was said previously: "As an island nation with consistent external boundaries and very little opportunity for confusion (Sri Lanka and Ceylon are both recognizable names that do not often appear in other parts of the world), Sri Lanka is best left alone with a single, simple place description. Alternate names will direct/funnel us all to a shared understanding of the place."
We realize that there are many inconsistencies within FamilySearch Places. Other colonial places have been dealt with in different ways over the years. We are trying to adhere to a set of guidelines and best practices for describing places. We will continue to try!
Best Regards,
Dan Reeves (FamilySearch employee 🙂)
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