Which country do we use?

Question

John Peahota (Peahota-2) was born  in Galacia, Poland. Sometimes I see that it was called Galacia, Austria. I think the Galacia area of Poland was under control of Austria at the time. What country do we use? At first I thought to use Austria but then I was thinking  that even though it may have been correct at that time, years later it may confuse people  where Galacia is really at.

Answer 1

If he was ethnically Polish but born in an area under Austrian rule at the time, it might help to mark his language as Polish. And then make it clear in the biography that he was a Pole born in Galicia, then a region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now his hometown Townname is in Poland/Hungary. Or if you don't know the town just state that it could be in either modern nation.

Answer 2

General rule is to use the name of a place as it was known at the time. If it was part of Austria at the time, then that is what should be used.

If it later became part of Poland, you can note that in the Biography section.

Answer 3

Galicia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1795-1918.  There is a timeline for Poland at

Space:Predecessor_Sovereign_States_of_Poland.  

Part of Galicia became Poland and the other part Hungary in 1918, so it helps to know the town.

Comments

I do not know the town names of many born in Poland at that time but there were a couple of family members born in Dolina Galacia.., but not him/. Most Polish documents are difficult to find Thanks for the info everyone..