New York State Geographic Names CommitteHow do you go about changing a place name in New York? Many of the place names attached to the geography of New York are rooted in the deepest recesses of the past, often with uncertain and ambiguous derivation. Sometimes a place was named because of the way it looked to the people who lived near it, or it may have been named after one of the earliest settlers. Names just seem to have sprung up as they were needed, and frequently historians are hard pressed to explain how or why. But as standardized maps began to be produced that became the "official" sources of geographic information for the nation, and the world, the need arose for a standarized and equally official set of agreed on names for places and features displayed on those maps This responsibility was placed with the United States Board on Geographic Names, a branch of the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS established guidelines by which they could:
In every state a "geographic names authority" is set up to assist the USGS in this process. The state names authority gathers information and helps coordinate the review of the applications for new names or name changes. They work with the applicants to assist them in preparing the application and making sure it is complete. When the application is complete, in accordance with USGS guidelines, the state names authority will review the final proposal and send a recommendation to the USGS Geographic Names Board, either supporting or not supporting the proposal. The USGS Board then places the application on their agenda for a federal-level review meeting, and based on that meeting a decision is made to adopt or deny the proposal. In New York State, the names authority is "The New York State Committee on Geographic Names." What is the New York State Committee on Geographic Names? The New York State Committee on Geographic Names is established as part of the State Education Department, Office of Cultural Education. It is made up of historians, archivists, librarians, geologists, anthropologists, and geographers. When a proposal is presented for review, this team of professional staff reviews the application and asks for additional documentation where needed. It then meets to come to agreement on the proposal and sends that decision to the federal board. Some of the pieces of documentation which the state committee looks for include:
How do I get Started? If you wish to make an application for a name change, you should contact the USGS first, as follows:
Mr. Roger Payne You should request application forms and guidelines for submitting a geographic names proposal. They will send you these forms and a booklet. Read these carefully and prepare the proposal in two copies. Be sure to include consultation with local historians, including town and county government historians. And be sure to include letters of support or comment from these, as well as local governmental officials, businesses, and residents. When you proposal is complete, send the originals to Mr. Payne and send a copy to: George Hamell Where Can I get More Information? The USGS has placed a vast amount of very detailed information about the process of obtaining a name change, as well as about the existing place names in the country and how to find them. You can find general information, with links to pages about the policies and procedures for geographic names proposals, at the United States Board on Geographic Names. You can search for a particular place name using a free searching service of the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). For more information write: |
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