Digital Archive of Historical Manuscripts
Overview
Building a comprehensive digital archive of 18th-century manuscripts with advanced search and analysis capabilities.
Project Overview
This multi-year project aims to digitize and make accessible a collection of over 10,000 historical manuscripts from the 18th century. Beyond simple digitization, we are developing advanced computational tools for:
- Automated transcription using machine learning
- Named entity recognition and linking
- Network analysis of historical correspondence
- Interactive visualization of temporal and geographical data
Methodology
Our approach combines traditional archival methods with cutting-edge digital humanities techniques:
- Digitization: High-resolution imaging of manuscripts
- Metadata Creation: Comprehensive cataloging following TEI standards
- Computational Analysis: ML-based transcription and analysis
- Public Access: Web-based interface for researchers and public
Current Progress
- ✅ Phase 1: Digitization complete (3,500 manuscripts)
- 🔄 Phase 2: Transcription and metadata (in progress)
- ⏳ Phase 3: Analysis tools (planned for 2025)
- ⏳ Phase 4: Public launch (planned for 2026)
Impact
This project will provide unprecedented access to historical materials and serve as a model for similar digital archive initiatives. We are collaborating with libraries and archives internationally to share our methodologies and tools.
Publications
This project has resulted in several publications:
- Smith, J., & Your Name (2024). “Automated Transcription of Historical Manuscripts.” Digital Humanities Quarterly
- Your Name et al. (2023). “Building Sustainable Digital Archives.” DHQ
Get Involved
We welcome collaborators and are happy to discuss the project with interested researchers. Contact us at [project-email@university.edu].
Collaborators
- Dr. Jane Smith, University of Toronto
- Dr. Robert Johnson, McGill University
- Digital Humanities Lab Team