This paper examines the factors that govern identification of place in its environment, its literature, and its description as presented to the reference librarian by the genealogical researcher. Toponyms and exonyms, their elements of activity, status, extent, focus, and boundaries are examined, explicated, and defined. The techniques, sources, and tools needed by the map and geography librarian to provide adequate services to genealogical researchers are considered, together with the researchers' varying levels of carto-literacy and the accuracy of their source documents in identifying place. Major sections of the paper address the following topics: the question of place; determinants of location description and identification; activity, event, or object in space; the status of place; jurisdiction; boundaries and focal points; history of human settlement development and identification; toponyms and exonyms; toponymy and the history of place names; the objectives of the genealogical researcher; and tools and strategies for genealogical map reference work. (Contains 12 references.) (MES)