Digitizing and Transcribing the John Torrey Papers: Natural Science and Exploration in 19th Century America

FAIN: PW-234827-16

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, NY 10458-5126)
Susan Fraser (Project Director: July 2015 to November 2022)

Digitization and transcription of 28,000 pages (7,000 documents) of the papers of John Torrey, a pioneer of American botany who lived from 1796 to 1873, consisting of correspondence, manuscripts, notes, and botanical illustrations.  The transcriptions would be crowd-sourced by volunteers and made available to the public through the library’s content management system.

The New York Botanical Garden's LuEsther T. Mertz Library will digitize and begin crowdsourcing the transcription of its "John Torrey Papers." The "Torrey Papers" are the largest and most important collection in the U.S. of pioneering American botanist John Torrey's (1796-1873) correspondence, manuscripts, notes, and botanical illustrations. The project will digitize ~28,000 pages (7,000 documents) and begin crowdsourced transcription of the entire collection. Transcription will include integration of FromThePage transcription software into CONTENTdm, an innovation in manuscript transcription. Dissemination tools will include a teen transcription project, a "John Torrey Study Day" for high school and college students, a traveling exhibition, and a website.

Associated Products

Transcribing the John Torrey Papers: Transcription Guidelines (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Transcribing the John Torrey Papers: Transcription Guidelines
Author: Richard Jones
Author: Susan Lynch
Author: Susan Fraser
Author: Stephen Sinon
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: This product constitutes the guidelines by which volunteer transcribers for the Digitizing and Transcribing the John Torrey Papers Project will follow. The product outlines how users should transcribe the material step by step, and includes instructions on formatting, solutions for dealing with shorthand and indecipherable words, and making note of issues within the collection as they arise.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://drive.google.com/file/d/1avGjATLLXfDztKXrCPFW4w2hXJ7YibAA/view
Primary URL Description: Main URL for transcribers to access Transcription Guidelines
Secondary URL Description: N/A
Audience: General Public

John Torrey American Botanist (Exhibition)
Title: John Torrey American Botanist
Curator: Joanna Groarke
Curator: Susan Fraser
Abstract: This educational website introduces the life and work of John Torrey to young adult audiences.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://www.nybg.org/john-torrey-american-botanist/
Primary URL Description: Main URL for the public to access the exhibition website
Secondary URL Description: N/A

John Torrey Papers (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: John Torrey Papers
Writer: N/A
Director: Kaitlin Tyler
Producer: Kaitlin Tyler
Abstract: This web video hosted on YouTube details the prominent role John Torrey played in the history of American botany and plant exploration, and also highlights archival material held in the collection.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRWcx2_DqdY
Primary URL Description: Main URL for video with Archivist describing the John Torrey collection
Secondary URL Description: N/A
Access Model: YouTube
Format: Web

John Torrey Papers: Transcribing Torrey (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: John Torrey Papers: Transcribing Torrey
Writer: N/A
Director: Kaitlin Tyler
Producer: Kaitlin Tyler
Abstract: This web video hosted on YouTube details the major processes regarding the Torrey project such as digitization, setup of FromthePage, volunteer recruitment, and day-to-day transcription activities.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6-obtRhHjs
Primary URL Description: Main URL for video with Transcription coordinator describing the John Torrey transcription project
Secondary URL Description: N/A
Access Model: YouTube
Format: Web

Life of Torrey: Word Search (Game/Simulation)
Title: Life of Torrey: Word Search
Author: Richard Jones
Abstract: This product is a Word Search that depicts the life of John Torrey and major influences on his botanical career. The Word Search features a glossary defining each of the words and how they relate to Torrey's life as well as recruitment information. The Word Search is available in the Mertz Library for all visitors, and copies are also distributed at events and programs that highlight the transcription project.
Year: 2019
Primary URL Description: N/A
Secondary URL Description: N/A
Access Model: Open access, Print
Programming Language/Platform: N/A
Source Available?: No

NYBG John Torrey Collection (Internet Archive) (Web Resource)
Title: NYBG John Torrey Collection (Internet Archive)
Author: Contributed by the New York Botanical Garden
Abstract: A collection in Internet Archive containing the digitized correspondence of John Torrey.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://archive.org/details/nybgtorrey?&sort=-downloads&page=2
Primary URL Description: Primary URL to access the John Torrey Collection in the Internet Archive
Secondary URL Description: N/A

John Torrey Papers (BHL) (Web Resource)
Title: John Torrey Papers (BHL)
Author: Contributed by the New York Botanical Garden
Abstract: A collection in the Biodiversity Heritage Library containing the digitized correspondence of John Torrey along with full text transcriptions.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/browse/collection/96
Primary URL Description: Primary URL to access the John Torrey Collection in BHL
Secondary URL Description: N/A

John Torrey Papers (NYBG LibGuide) (Web Resource)
Title: John Torrey Papers (NYBG LibGuide)
Author: Susan Lynch
Author: Susan Fraser
Author: Richard Jones
Author: Stephen Sinon
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: A LibGuide introducing NYBG audiences to who John Torrey is and the purpose of the Digitizing and Transcribing the John Torrey Papers projects.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://libguides.nybg.org/JohnTorreyPapers
Primary URL Description: Primary URL to access the informational LibGuide on the NYBG website
Secondary URL Description: N/A

The John Torrey Papers: Increasing Accessibility with Full Text Transcriptions in BHL (Blog Post)
Title: The John Torrey Papers: Increasing Accessibility with Full Text Transcriptions in BHL
Author: Richard Jones
Abstract: This blog post discusses the integration of full text searching into the Biodiversity Heritage Library and explains how crowdsourced transcription projects benefit from full-text searching. The blog specifically discusses how the Digitizing and Transcribing the John Torrey Papers Project played an integral role in the implementation and facilitation of full-text searching in BHL.
Date: 9/24/2019
Primary URL: https://blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2019/09/the-john-torrey-papers.html
Primary URL Description: Direct link to Biodiversity Heritage Library blog
Website: Biodiversity Library

Examining the John Torrey Papers during climate week (Blog Post)
Title: Examining the John Torrey Papers during climate week
Author: Stephen Sinon
Abstract: Advertising the project being displayed in part during Open house in Mertz Library.
Date: 9/17/2019
Primary URL: https://www.nybg.org/examining-the-john-torrey-papers-during-climateweeknyc/
Primary URL Description: New York Botanical Garden
Website: NYBG Science Talk

Dawn of American plant science was lost in a botanist's prolific notes (Article)
Title: Dawn of American plant science was lost in a botanist's prolific notes
Author: Sylvia Kohn-Levitt
Abstract: Introduction to Torrey Project and call for volunteers
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-dawn-of-american-plant-science-was-lost-in-a-botanists-prolific-notes
Primary URL Description: Discovery Magazine . com
Access Model: Open access
Format: Magazine
Publisher: Kalmbach Publishing

Mertz Library Catalog MARC records for the Torrey Project: Series 1, Correspondence (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Mertz Library Catalog MARC records for the Torrey Project: Series 1, Correspondence
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: Publicly accessible bibliographic records in the Mertz Library online catalog
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://willow.nybg.org/search?/tjohn+torrey+papers/tjohn+torrey+papers/1%2C6%2C775%2CB/exact&FF=tjohn+torrey+papers+series++++++++1+correspondence&1%2C335%2C
Primary URL Description: 335 MARC format bibliographic catalog records for correspondence received by John Torrey, arranged by author
Access Model: Open access

Mertz Library Catalog MARC records for the Torrey Project: Series 2, Unrelated letters (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Mertz Library Catalog MARC records for the Torrey Project: Series 2, Unrelated letters
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: Publicly accessible bibliographic records in the Mertz Library online catalog
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://willow.nybg.org/search?/tjohn+torrey+papers/tjohn+torrey+papers/1%2C6%2C775%2CB/frameset&FF=tjohn+torrey+papers+series++++++++2+unrelated+letters&1%2C%2C44
Primary URL Description: 44 MARC format bibliographic catalog records for unrelated correspondence held in the John Torrey Papers, arranged by author
Access Model: Open access

Mertz Library Catalog MARC records for the Torrey Project: Series 3, Botanical miscellany (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Mertz Library Catalog MARC records for the Torrey Project: Series 3, Botanical miscellany
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: Publicly accessible bibliographic records in the Mertz Library online catalog
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://willow.nybg.org/search?/tjohn+torrey+papers/tjohn+torrey+papers/1%2C6%2C775%2CB/exact&FF=tjohn+torrey+papers+series++++++++3+botanical+miscellany&1%2C2%2C
Primary URL Description: 2 item level MARC format bibliographic records for unique manuscript materials held in the John Torrey Papers, Series 3: Botanical miscellany, created by Torrey and Elizabeth Knight Britton
Secondary URL: https://willow.nybg.org/search?/tjohn+torrey+papers/tjohn+torrey+papers/1%2C6%2C775%2CB/frameset&FF=tjohn+torrey+papers+series++++++++3+botanical+miscellany+box++++++++9&1%2C1%2C
Secondary URL Description: 1 collection level MARC format bibliographic record for the balance of the John Torrey Papers, Series 3: Botanical miscellany (26 items in 15 folders)
Access Model: Open access

Library of Congress Name Authority Record (1) (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Library of Congress Name Authority Record (1)
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: MARC format name authority record, creating the authorized form of name for one of the correspondents from the Torrey Papers
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2019189945
Primary URL Description: Name authority record for Carey, John, 1797-1880
Access Model: Open access via Library of Congress Authorities

Library of Congress Name Authority Record (2) (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Library of Congress Name Authority Record (2)
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: MARC format name authority record, creating the authorized form of name for one of the correspondents from the Torrey Papers
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2019189800
Primary URL Description: Name authority record for Aiken, William E. A. (William Edward Augustin), 1807-1888
Access Model: Open access via Library of Congress Authorities

Library of Congress Name Authority Record (3) (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Library of Congress Name Authority Record (3)
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: MARC format name authority record, creating the authorized form of name for one of the correspondents from the Torrey Papers
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2019182623
Primary URL Description: Name authority record for Lederer, Alois Joseph Xavier, Freiherr von, 1773-1842
Access Model: Open access via Library of Congress Authorities

Mertz Library Catalog MARC local name authority records for the Torrey Project (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Mertz Library Catalog MARC local name authority records for the Torrey Project
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: MARC format name authority records for local use within the Mertz Library, creating the authorized form of name for individuals or corporate bodies appearing in the text of the Torrey correspondence
Year: 2017
Primary URL: N/A
Primary URL Description: 212 local name authority records (personal names (210) and corporate bodies (2))
Access Model: For internal use of cataloging staff only

Mertz Library Catalog MARC local subject authority records for the Torrey Project (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Mertz Library Catalog MARC local subject authority records for the Torrey Project
Author: Lenge Hong
Abstract: MARC format subject authority records for local use within the Mertz Library, establishing the current form of plant genus and/or species names appearing in the Torrey Papers, along with relevant common names and synonyms.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: N/A
Primary URL Description: 596 subject authority records
Access Model: For internal use of cataloging staff only

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