Is there a problem with creating a category for an obsolete place name? [closed]

Question

I would like to establish a separate category within the Essex County, Massachusetts category for those who lived in Chebacco Parish of Ipswich, Massachusetts between 1677 and 1819: "Chebacco Parish"

Even though the name is now obsolete, the category would reflect its relevance to contemporaries.  This group formed in 1677, when a group of dissidents hired a new minister for themselves and began their efforts to secede from the church of Ipswich.  During the course of their struggle for independence, they seem to have developed a separate, multi-generational communal identity, centered around the Chebacco Parish Church and recognized even by outsiders, who might say someone was from Chebacco, rather than from Ipswich.  They finally managed to attain their independence from Ipswich in 1819, when they incorporated as the town of Essex, Massachusetts.  At that point, Chebacco Parish effectively disappeared.  So, although the history of Chebacco Parish is part of the history of both Ipswich and Essex, it also exists independently of either.  

Will creating this new category cause any problems for the Categorization Project?

Answer 1

Susan,

Just as we try to use the name that the person used themselves, we try to use the location names that were in use at the time our ancestor was there.  So, not only only is OK, it is most proper.

Like a profile a source should be provided and a description of the purpose of the category, you actually have the information already, just include it on the category page.  I would set it up under both Ipswich and Essex.

Comments

Thank you, Philip.  I'm glad to know my little project will be "fitting and proper," so to speak.  Now, I just have to figure out how to do it!

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Susan, it's simple.  Go to one of the profiles you want to categorize and at the top type [[Category: Chebacco Parish]].  Save the file.  Your category is half-created.  Now leave edit mode and click on the profile's page.  You'll see Category: Chebacco Parish show up in red.  Click on it.  In the edit box, type [[Category:  Essex County, Massachusetts]].  Also type in [[Category: Ipswich, Massachusetts]]  That links it as a subcategory of the existing categories for Essex County and for Ipswich, and your Chebacco Parish category now exists.  You can add [[Category: Chebacco Parish]] to the other profiles you wish to categorize without going through the added step.

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Thank you, Jack!  I followed your excellent directions and did the deed with no trouble at all.

Answer 2

Susan,

Thanks for sharing the story of Chebacco Parish!

The community of Dresden, which included homes and families from BOTH sides of the Connecticut River (West; Vermont; East: parts of Hanover New Hampshire) was established for a short period of time.  John Paine was a proprietor; the town meetings were held regularly, and minutes were kept.  THEN:  George Washington objected to Dresden, and it was disbanded.  EXCEPT:  the Dresden school system, which crossed state borders (NH-VT), became what is today considered the only school of its kind.

Our ancestors struggled with the long winters -- but some of them were willing to try something new.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden_School_District

Comments

And thank you, Janine, for Dresden's story! I can only imagine what problems the Interstate Commerce Commission would have faced, if the town had survived.  A fun school district to put on your resume, though.

How do you handle profiles for people who were born, married or died in Dresden?

Perhaps the winters were too long, giving the Honored Ancestors too much time to think up things to bedevil their Wretched Descendants.

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You have a great question, but the answer is:  I don't know!

By researching on "Google", I found the minutes of the proprietor's meetings -- they often met in a tavern or inn.  I had already discovered that John Paine, one of the two innkeepers licensed to serve liquor in the college town of Hanover, New Hampshire, was out of favor with the Dr. Wheelock, the first President of Dartmouth College.  

My ancestor may have been the son of John Paine, the innkeeper.  I couldn't follow HIS trail because the John Paine who is in my direct line moved to Nova Scotia after serving his country.  

Without confusing the issue further:  I wish I knew more about Dresden.