Discontinuing "Maine" in US place names

Donna Frisoli

"Maine" was first plotted on a map by Weymouth in 1606 and has been recognized by that name ever since. As a Maine researcher, it will be adding another layer of difficulty finding people. Might I suggest: York, York, Maine, Massachusetts.

Family Search, please do not leave "Maine" out of the place name.

Thank you for your consideration,

Donna

Julia Szent-Györgyi

Um, ???

https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=333&reqParentsLabel=State&reqParentsType=362&includeIsParent=true&primaryText=Maine%2C%20United%20States&searchTypeaheadInputText=Search%20Within%3AMaine%2C%20United%20States&partial=undefined

The U.S. state of Maine has (over) 5000 places under it. While the Places database does have some non-states (mis)filed directly under the United States, none of them are anywhere near New England, never mind Maine. What on Earth did you see that made you think they'd done away with an entire state?

Adrian Bruce1

@Julia Szent-Györgyi - I noticed this thread and had a similar reaction but, after a little digging, I suspect that I may understand what the OP was driving at. It relates to Maine pre-statehood (i.e. pre-1820). If you take the current entry in the places database for Portland, it is

Portland, Cumberland, Maine, United States (1820+)

The prior entries are:

• Portland, Cumberland, Massachusetts, United States (1776-1820)
• Portland, Cumberland, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (1691-1776)
• Portland, York, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (1652-1691)

I believe (and I hope she'll forgive me if I get this wrong) that she is asking for the earlier entries to be:

• Portland, Cumberland, Maine, Massachusetts, United States (1776-1820)
• Portland, Cumberland, Maine, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (1691-1776)
• Portland, York, Maine, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (1652-1691)

For once I have no opinion on a placename proposal, not least because I still haven't got over the embarrassment of being a Brit who spent ages pouring over a map looking for the state of New England...

AnneLoForteWillson

@Donna Frisoli

The best place to bring this topic up is in FamilySearch Places group. The folks there are watching for information like this.