Wyoming Place Names Wiki / Frequently Asked Questions

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Also Search for Place Names in:

WYLDCat

UW Libraries Combined Catalog

GoWYLD

Wyoming Inventors Database

Wyoming Magazine Prospector

Wyoming Biography Database

Historical Wyoming Newspapers

(coming in 2008)

About the Wiki

Contact us

Contact Form
Phone: 307-777-6333
Email: vbeske@state.wy.us
Office hours: 8-5, M-F

Disclaimer

What is a Wiki?

A wiki is a way to collaborate as it allows many people to contribute to the same web site. The Wyoming Place Names Wiki allows contributors to add information about Wyoming places and how they got their names. Current contributors include staff from the Wyoming State Library and University of Wyoming Libraries.

What is a Place Name?

A place name is defined as the name of a geographical locality, region or some other part of the earth's surface. Another name for a place name is toponym. Toponymy is the scientific study of toponyms, their origin and history. More about toponymy can be found in this article from the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

What is the best way to search our wiki?

Our wiki allows the user to Search by keyword to find key elements. However, the search tool requires you to enter the spelling of the word as it was entered by the contributor.

Tips for searching:

1. Choosing the right search term is key to finding information in our wiki. For example, if you are searching for information on Jackson, Wyoming --- try by searching the keyword Jackson.

2. Our wiki is not case sensitive. For example, typing rAiLrOAD or railroad will return the same results. However, there is an option for case sensitive searching at the bottom of the search box.

3. When searching, it is best not to include the keywords and, or, "", (). For example, if you type Jackson and Lake our wiki will return zero results. It is best just to use Jackson Lake.

What do the Wiki Field Names mean?

Go to the Place Names Wiki Field Names page.

What is the best resolution to view the Wyoming Place Names Wiki?

It is highly recommended that our Wiki is viewed in 1024 x 768 or higher. To adjust your monitor properties go to Control Panel and click on display, a menu should popup and click the settings tab. Under Screen Resolution slide the adjuster bar to either 1024 x 768 or higher resolution, and then click OK button or Apply button to view changes.

What web browsers work best for our wiki?

Most web browsers will view our wiki but if the user wishes to add or edit pages; Firefox or Internet Explorer are the only browser compatible with modifying our wiki.