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Archiver > PACAMBRI > 2001-07 > 0994124989


From: Mizzee <>
Subject: [PaCambri] Re: PACAMBRI-D Digest V01 #220
Date: Mon, 02 Jul 2001 20:49:49 -0500
References: <200107022306.f62N6eV15414@lists5.rootsweb.com>


Yes, THANKS for the lessons!!! Brian, Carl, Marcia ... :))

I think I understand MUCHH better now. Let me see if I have it straight, and let me know where I mess up. :)

OK ... PA is divided into first of all, its largest divisions, into counties. The counties are then divided into large areas of land called townships. When a certain area within the township becomes populated enough, it can become incorporated, which means it can then have governing representatives such as mayor, councilmen, etc, (and also be taxed accordingly) and it is called a Borough. Some boroughs take on the name of the township it lies within ... (perhaps this is one source of confusion). Now ... if a borough becomes OVERpopulated, it cannot expand within its original incorporation, but (the people) must overflow into new areas which surround the original borough, incorporate, and take on new names along with their own
governing bodies. (Much like Metairie and Kenner, Gretna and Harvey, are to New Orleans.) How am I doing so far?

OK .. now the child who was born on the farm, of a rural person such as a farmer, who received his mail from the nearest Borough Post Office, would have as his designated birth place the name of the Borough, rather than the Township (the large area of country land he lives in). So for example, my gr-gr-grandmother has Johnstown listed as her place of birth when in fact, they lived in Yoder Township at the time of her birth. right? similar to where I live, the people living in the country may have their babies in Baton Rouge, McComb, Independence, or even New Orleans simply because there are large hospitals there or their doctors practice there. But they don't live there. Which presents a problem when we get birth
certificates/records of our ancestors ... we really don't know exactly where they actually resided at the time of their birth ... just where they were BORN. How am I doing?

Ok ... now an even smaller incorporation is the Village ... which can grow into a Borough? (is this right?) but it can have its own governing bodies and representatives. We have Villages in Louisiana, I live near two of them. They are smaller than Towns and Cities. In Louisiana, the difference lies in population. A Village can become a Town and then a City, if its population and size grows enough.

OK, what is a Town, how does Town fit into the scheme of things? and is there ever a Township within a Borough?

Ok ... how did I do? tell me where I left something out or got it wrong. :))

Phyllis





> Thanks Brian for the excellent information on Townships, Boroughs and Cities.
> I'm from Johnstown and don't ever remember getting an explanation even as a
> student.

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