Masset 1 (BC, Canada) Overhaul

ladymoon2

I submitted a bunch of edit suggestions last week for Masset 1, a reservation in British Columbia, but I haven't heard anything back, and since my suggestions are basically requesting a complete overhaul, I figured I would also put it here.

Issue 1: Name

The term "Masset 1" is rarely used. While yes, it is the technical census designation, the term much more commonly used is "Old Massett" (as evidenced by the band council's title). I therefore suggest changing "Masset 1" to an alternate name, and the primary/display name to Old Massett.

I also suggest the addition of the Haida language name of the place as an alternate, which is Gaw (See: Village Council's website), and the historic name, which was Uttewas (see: Museum of Civilization page)

Issue 2: Parent Places

According to the guidelines on FS Places for reservations in BC, they should be placed directly within the province, and not within a regional district. It should therefore be removed from "Skeena-Queen Charlotte" (which is now the North Coast Regional District BTW).

There is also an issue of Skeena-Queen Charlotte being placed within Vancouver Island, which is just nonsensical (it covers the north coast and Haida Gwaii, not Vancouver Island). It should therefore be moved to simply being within the province of British Columbia from 1871 onwards.

Issue 3: Historical Periods

3/5 historical eras for the place are undefined, and also somewhat nonsensical (placed in Vancouver Island etc.). I suggest the following eras:

1. unknown-1853: Uttewas (or Massett), Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands (I'm not sure if there's a standard for handling North American place names prior to European colonization, but I think just making it a part of Haida Gwaii would be best)
2. 1853-1858: Old Massett, Colony of Queen Charlotte Islands, British Colonial America (note: Queen Charlotte Islands also needs a similar overhaul, which I'll probably make a similar post about)
3. 1858-1871: Old Massett, British Colombia (colony), British Colonial America
4. 1871-Present: Old Massett, British Columbia, Canada

russellwaltgeorge1

The places team is aware of your requests. Please understand we respond 100s of requests from all over the world every month, with limited missionaries. Please be aware that as missionaries we are doing the best we can and hope that you can be patient.

russellwaltgeorge1

This should have been answered via email on April 9:

Dear XXXXXXX,

We have merged Masset 1 into Old Massett.  You are correct that the FamilySearch guidelines are to put Villages directly under the provice.  We have also corrected the parent place as Old Massett, British Columbia, Canada.  The Wikipedia article shows that it was inhabited in 1862 during a smallpox epidemic.  However, if you have a source that indicates an earlier year, please share it with us and we will update the starting year.  You can see Old Massett at the following: 

 

Thank you for your interest in improving FamilySearch Places. 

 

Best Regards, 

 Authorities Team https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?focusedId=9996902