The grey record

Claims

Attested assertions. Who says so, since when, on what evidence — never adjudicated.

23 records

• Allston — nicknamed “Allston Rock City” — An attested claim that Allston is nicknamed “Allston Rock City”. From the neighborhood's music scene. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Allston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Back Bay — called “the Back Bay” — An attested claim that Back Bay is called “the Back Bay”. Definite article in local use. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Back Bay, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Bay Village — formerly “the Church Street District” — An attested claim that Bay Village was formerly named “the Church Street District”. An earlier name for the same blocks. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Bay Village, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Beacon Hill — called “the Hill” — An attested claim that Beacon Hill is called “the Hill”. Used within the neighborhood. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Beacon Hill, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Boston — formerly “Blackstone”, attested by Drake — An attested claim that Boston was formerly named “Blackstone”, drawn from Drake's 1884 collection and evidenced by the passage in the archive's own copy of that text. Filed beside the other attestations of the same assertion, unranked.
• Boston — formerly “Shawmut” — An attested claim that Boston was formerly named “Shawmut”. The name of the peninsula before the English settlement. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Boston — formerly “Shawmut”, attested by Drake — An attested claim that Boston was formerly named “Shawmut”, drawn from Drake's 1884 collection and evidenced by the passage in the archive's own copy of that text. Filed beside the other attestations of the same assertion, unranked.
• Brighton — formerly “Little Cambridge” — An attested claim that Brighton was formerly named “Little Cambridge”. Brighton's name before its 1807 separation from Cambridge. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Brighton, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Charlestown — called “the Town” — An attested claim that Charlestown is called “the Town”. Used within the neighborhood itself. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Charlestown, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Chinatown — formerly “the Combat Zone” — An attested claim that Chinatown was formerly named “the Combat Zone”. The adult-entertainment district that adjoined and overlapped Chinatown; a name the city never gave and never removed. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Chinatown, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Downtown — called “Downtown Crossing” — An attested claim that Downtown is called “Downtown Crossing”. The lived name of the retail core within the city's Downtown boundary. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Downtown Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• East Boston — called “Eastie” — An attested claim that East Boston is called “Eastie”. Formed on the same pattern as Southie. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on East Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Fenway — called “the Fenway” — An attested claim that Fenway is called “the Fenway”. Definite article in local use. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Fenway–Kenmore. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Hyde Park — called “Readville” — An attested claim that Hyde Park is called “Readville”. A named sub-area residents treat as distinct from the neighborhood that contains it. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Hyde Park, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Jamaica Plain — called “JP” — An attested claim that Jamaica Plain is called “JP”. An initialism in general local use. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Jamaica Plain. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Mattapan — called “Mattapan Square” — An attested claim that Mattapan is called “Mattapan Square”. The commercial centre by which the neighborhood is often meant. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Mattapan. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Mission Hill — called “the Mission” — An attested claim that Mission Hill is called “the Mission”. Clipped form. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Mission Hill, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• North End — nicknamed “Little Italy” — An attested claim that North End is nicknamed “Little Italy”. A name applied from outside more than within. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on North End, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Roslindale — called “Rozzie” — An attested claim that Roslindale is called “Rozzie”. Diminutive form. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Roslindale. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Roxbury — formerly “Dudley Square” — An attested claim that Roxbury was formerly named “Dudley Square”. The name the square carried before 2020; still said. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Roxbury, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• Roxbury — formerly “Nubian Square” — An attested claim that Roxbury was formerly named “Nubian Square”. Dudley Square was renamed Nubian Square in 2020; both names remain in use, and the archive files both rather than choosing. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on Roxbury, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• South Boston — called “Southie” — An attested claim that South Boston is called “Southie”. The best-known Boston vernacular name; used by residents and press alike. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on South Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.
• West End — called “the West End” — An attested claim that West End is called “the West End”. A neighborhood largely demolished in 1958 whose name survives its fabric. Attested by the English Wikipedia article on West End, Boston. The archive records the attestation; it does not rule on it.