Data in the Archive

Description

Archival records are full of structured information, such as tables, lists, forms, and reports, covering hundreds of years and millions of people. They are among the most useful archival records about individuals. Some, like parish records, have been digitised and made available to the public. But what about all the records that are not commercially viable to digitise? How can these be made available and searchable, both to the public and researchers? And what possibilities are there from digitising this material to shed new insights onto people in the past.

Working with the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sector we are exploring ways of unlocking these rich sources, including:

• using AI to detect structured data and transcribe handwriting
• crowdsourcing to evaluate, check, and correct AI transcription
• enhancing the skills and awareness of researchers and archivists in digital technologies and platforms
• developing processes and workflows that can be used by archives to digitise historical data
• data visualisation of transcribed historical data
• reflecting on historical practices of recording information in structured formats

This project builds upon work undertaken to develop the Georgian Army Officer database as part of the Re-archiving the Individual: British Army Officers, 1790-1820 project.

Project partners

This project brings together archive professionals and academic researchers in collaboration. Partnerships and contributors include:

• West Yorkshire Archive Service
• The National Archives
• The National Army Museum
• The Leeds Library

Events

• AI Transcription of Archival Data, 12 May 2025. Find out more on the event webpage.

Image Credit

A list of casualties of the 60th Regiment of Foot, 1810, The National Archives, WO 25/1915. Image copyright: Kevin Linch. Find out more about this collection on The National Archives website.