HistoryForge: Mapping Census Data to Visualize Local HIstory

FAIN: HAA-287945-22

History Center in Tompkins County (Ithaca, NY 14850-4400)
Eve Snyder (Project Director: January 2022 to present)

The development of new features and expansion of the user base for the free and open-source HistoryForge, a digital public humanities project that brings census records together with historical maps into one interface that fosters research and teaching of local histories.

HistoryForge is a digital application that combines historic maps with census records of the people who live in a community. The initial prototype visualizes the demographic data on searchable maps that allows users and institutions to more fully connect with primary source historical records. The proposed project expands the functionality of the HistoryForge prototype, and supports the further adoption by additional testing partners.

Media Coverage

HistoryForge: Ithaca’s History Research Platform (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Charley Githler
Publication: Ithaca Times
Date: 4/19/2024
Abstract: Local newspaper article in print and online covering HistoryForge
URL: https://www.ithaca.com/news/ithaca/historyforge-ithaca-s-history-research-platform/article_5a738f3a-fc0d-11ee-8146-23e2f52aadec.html

Associated Products

Project Documentation (Web Resource)
Title: Project Documentation
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Project documenation to guide HistoryForge installers through (1) Transcription, (2) Building Features, (3) Program Admin Menu, (4) General Project Management Administration, (4) How to Search HistoryForge, (5) Use of MapWarper, (6) Census Transcription Guidelines for census in years of 1850 - 1880, and 1900 - 1950, (7) Census Historical information and guidelines for censuses in years 1850 - 1880, and 1900 - 1950.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://historyforge.net/documentation
Primary URL Description: Web link to the documentation home page on historyforge.net

Person Record Basics (Web Resource)
Title: Person Record Basics
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Project documentation for managing and navigating Person Authority Records.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1akWXziYxsbQnLAdJeON-Tq4qWzhx9goO2errCZpyeSQ/edit?tab=t.0
Primary URL Description: Link to google drive where the documentation is hosted. The document is also available via PDF.

Person Record Matching Algorithm (Web Resource)
Title: Person Record Matching Algorithm
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: This document gives instructions for how to match a census record to an existing person record. In order to do this work, users need the correct permissions (user role) assigned to them. Someone with a Person Record Editor role assigned to them can match census records to person records, edit and delete person records, and create new person records.
Year: 2024

Preferred Name and Name Variants (Web Resource)
Title: Preferred Name and Name Variants
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: In HistoryForge, transcribers are generally asked to enter the person’s name as it appears on the census. The person record is then created from the census record name. Although this principle is straightforward and generally results in accurate records, in practice, the census record name may vary over time or be “wrong.” This document guides users through common challenges, quirks, and other problems.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A1SiLV9gNwEzTMZblPlauWNgovLR-BnQvkqD08cPzGU/edit?tab=t.0

Merge Persons Record Cheat Sheet (Web Resource)
Title: Merge Persons Record Cheat Sheet
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: A quick guide for installation sites to merge different individuals within a HistoryForge installation.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1og4bI0KIolCF-ulAcsB0WNxpb1KygMNQ45fck8wIqn8/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.wp2c4lowxd8d

Split Person Records Cheat Sheet (Web Resource)
Title: Split Person Records Cheat Sheet
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: A quick guide for HistoryForge installations to separate individuals mistakenly merged or created as a single individual.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HHlUdNkeBj9of5eIFhWTZXlcqQ5kMWudP0CW7325Lxc/edit?tab=t.0

Workflows for Mapping Census Records without Standard Addresses (Web Resource)
Title: Workflows for Mapping Census Records without Standard Addresses
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: The 1880 US population census was the first to include columns for street name and house number for urban areas. The 1950 census was the first to instruct enumerators to record the location of rural residences in such a way that someone could find it again. Depending on where you live and when your community adopted a system of street names and house numbers, your historical censuses may not have addresses. It may still be possible to map census records without addresses on HistoryForge depending on the availability of local resources. To increase HistoryForge’s utility across a larger range of communities and censuses, the HistoryForge team has developed some initial workflows for locating and mapping households without street addresses on the census. These workflows were based on our work mapping censuses in Tompkins County, NY for Tompkins HistoryForge and are followed by a description of how we used it to map local census records.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qej9yqieP0ozsA0yXE5amnsy6eVNZiVD-P0HK2n6Bkc/edit?tab=t.0

Review and Approval of User-Generated Content (Web Resource)
Title: Review and Approval of User-Generated Content
Author: Eve Sndyer
Abstract: On HistoryForge, user-generated content includes media and sourced narratives. The purpose of user-generated content is to increase community engagement with HistoryForge and to expand content beyond the resources of project participants and home institutions. This guide walks installations through the structure and controls for User-Generated Content.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yf3H5FCICQv2oeSMVfF1Ih_3-fH9c2gPxUu1wK0G1oE/edit?usp=sharing

HistoryForge Adding Audio and Video Guide (Web Resource)
Title: HistoryForge Adding Audio and Video Guide
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: A guide for installations to add audio or video content to the HistoryForge platform.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pbAjBfriKQvJ89LDBB2cSEZB51L05xCTZv6_9yuCj0M/edit?usp=sharing

1880 Census Transcription Guide (Web Resource)
Title: 1880 Census Transcription Guide
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Slide deck to guide users through the transcription process for the 1880 Census.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Aon9HIC6vSc6J4AtPcCcnjCQ_tFH8VGSnKjDN9invDU/edit?usp=sharing

1900 Census Transcription Guide (Web Resource)
Title: 1900 Census Transcription Guide
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Slide deck to guide users through the transcription process for the 1900 Census.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-oQSdZExyiCY8V9XI9ZzgUa7oEBn1SbCpSDQyNUJREA/edit?usp=sharing

1910 Census Transcription Guide (Web Resource)
Title: 1910 Census Transcription Guide
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Slide deck to guide users through the transcription process for the 1910 Census.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FUxNAqLxxzKtAJ_zZfDiUTFh1vL8-BhPq3zNXbUBRb8/edit?usp=sharing

1920 Census Transcription Guide (Web Resource)
Title: 1920 Census Transcription Guide
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Slide deck to guide users through the transcription process for the 1920 Census.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fd4EhN3JqIZQK_4WDnjviAJQGtCezpeOLEDWZ-Ear_Y/edit?usp=sharing

1930 Census Transcription Guide (Web Resource)
Title: 1930 Census Transcription Guide
Author: Eve Sndyer
Abstract: Slide deck to guide users through the transcription process for the 1930 Census.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yryKrYjZHj8zmiOTQrQs0ZBurCZJkqKIpjx4id7HmLg/edit?usp=sharing

1940 Census Transcription Guide (Web Resource)
Title: 1940 Census Transcription Guide
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Slide deck to guide users through the transcription process for the 1940 Census.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18Wf5m6VMMFObhlzhDzd1e_mKo0GPoBB2cjZu6uwBvVM/edit?usp=sharing

1950 Census Transcription Guide (Web Resource)
Title: 1950 Census Transcription Guide
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Slide deck to guide users through the transcription process for the 1950 Census.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AumQOVg3Qi2Ny3Wb_5bhwe7CFFb227a5JD5tEpQjtwU/edit?usp=sharing

Building the Past: HistoryForge, Ithaca, and Beyond (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Building the Past: HistoryForge, Ithaca, and Beyond
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Paper for the 2022 Annual Conference of the Social Science History Association
Date: 11/18/2024
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/162rGshy2-5hkAwKtXwCN0x6iuB0Emmg9lAWjCzzb0FA/edit?tab=t.0
Primary URL Description: Google drive link of the paper.

Data to the People: A Community Historical Data Project (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Data to the People: A Community Historical Data Project
Author: Eve Snyder
Abstract: Paper for the 2023 Social Science History Association Annual Conference
Date: 11/1/2023
Primary URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WGrnTUTZVvpbGKAIswJJb3AyHrdnreLtFHAtcriIyZM/edit?tab=t.0
Primary URL Description: Google drive link to the submitted and presented paper

HistoryForge: Mapping Your Family History (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: HistoryForge: Mapping Your Family History
Abstract: Virtual program and presentation for the Genealogy Center.
Author: Eve Snyder
Date: 05/02/2023
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtOnx3YG_6U&list=PLoz4lGKRiTuJVDmoi1Hx60-mKoN4UxZjh&index=5
Primary URL Description: Youtube link for the presentation

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