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Archiver > TMG > 2000-10 > 0970450865


From: "Darrell A. Martin" <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Place Levels and "villages"
Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 20:41:05 -0500
References: <3.0.5.32.20000930191147.007d1ba0@m2.sprynet.com><B0000424708@millenni-iom342.millennium20.com><3.0.5.32.20000929202236.007d0930@m2.sprynet.com><2d.1872497.2705f6a5@cs.com><3.0.5.32.20001001085257.007d0440@m2.sprynet.com>
In-Reply-To: <39D7A9A7.D92B7B29@bellatlantic.net>


At 05:16 PM 10/01/2000 -0400, bob gillis wrote:

[snip]

>If Vermont is like Massachusetts and i think it is there are two or more
>municpalities: towns and cities the latter of which may be os several
>categories

Hi, Bob:

Yes, a "city" is co-equal with a "town" for the uses that
I am speaking of on this list. One very confusing example
is that there are BOTH a town AND a city named St.
Johnsbury in Vermont. I don't know what "categories" of
cities you are speaking of, but it may very well be true
that there are several categories of city in Vermont.
However, a Vermont town is NOT a municipality. The forms
of government are different.

>I believe there are no incorporated villages in MA and VT. If a town
>divides the new part is another town or city.

In Vermont, a village may just be a more or less
formally recognized "place," like a crossroads with
enough buildings to be named; or it may indeed be
incorporated. Either way, it has nothing to do with
*dividing* a town. The Village of Springfield is in
the Town of Springfield, and is incorporated. It
keeps a separate set of books, for example, and on
maps has a specific legally established boundary.

In the 1941 Town Report for Springfield is:
Town Account
In bank $ 46,588.46
Advanced to
Village of
Springfield 10,000.00
-----------
$ 56,588.46
School Dept. 14,614.11
-----------
Total $ 71,202.57

>As far as I know a village in New England is never an incorporated
>municipality as is is in NY and NJ. A researcher has to have a little
>knowledge of the municipaly organization.
>
>bob gillis

A Vermont village can be a "municipality" in the
general sense. Regardless, it can certainly be
either incorporated or not. The *genealogical*
significance of incorporation is small, because
vital records are kept at the town level; but if
one reads a record that says something happened
in Saxtons River, and another that says the same
thing happened in Rockingham, one needs to know
that there is no conflict.

Hope this helps.

Darrell



Darrell A. Martin
no longer proud to have been a Vermonter
but still very proud of my Vermont roots
currently in exile in Addison, Illinois


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