Place Names of Alberta, Vol. 3: Central Alberta

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

This third volume in the Place Names of Alberta series covers the area
of Alberta extending from Drumheller in the south to the Athabasca River
in the north, the Saskatchewan border in the east, and the foothills in
the west. As in the earlier two volumes, six pieces of information are
given for each entry: the name, the National Topographic System Grid
Reference, a legal description, latitude and longitude, distance to the
nearest populated community, and a short description of the name’s
origin. Like the second volume, this one encompasses an area that was
heavily populated by European settlers; thus, name origin is known for a
very high percentage of places.

The cross-referencing problems between former and current place names
have been corrected with this volume, making it more useful for
genealogists. Still lacking, however, are definitions for inclusion and
exclusion of place names. Without these definitions, it is difficult for
the user to determine whether a name has been missed or deliberately
excluded.

Overall, this is a well-produced book. A fourth volume covering
Northern Alberta will eventually complete the set.