Series Descriptions

Physical Description: 46 file folders

Arranged chronologically by year.

Committee Files contain administrative documents establishing the committee's procedures for meetings and for communicating with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, "Decisions on Geographic Names" quarterly reports from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, committee member's analysis and findings on local geographic names, meeting minutes and agendas, and correspondence with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The most common topic was naming conventions and decisions on specific geographic feature names. Occasionally conflicts arose when the U.S. Board on Geographic Names refused to name a feature after a deceased person who had died within the previous five years. The suggesting party wrote the advisory committee inquiring about the refused name change. Following federal policy, the state committee made recommendations base upon local usage with the intent of honoring multicultural history, acknowledging Native American history, and preserving local history. The series contains files regarding the renaming of Mount McKinley to Mount Denali.

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arranged chronologically.

Conference Files contain correspondence, information packets, reports, and U.S. Board on Geographic Names files from the 2003 Council of Geographic Names Authorities hosted by the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names. The conference focused on expanding geographic naming to undersea formations as well as terrestrial features. The series includes four CD-ROMS relating to information presented at the conference.

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arranged chronologically.

The series contains incoming and outgoing correspondence concerning various administrative aspects of the committee. The committee communicated frequently with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Several citizens wrote the committee inquiring the status of local geographic names as well as to suggest names of geological features. The series also includes memorandum on staffing issues and the chairmanship.