Wisconsin Digital Newspaper Project

FAIN: PJ-230847-15

State Historical Society of Wisconsin (Madison, WI 53706-1417)
Kathleen D. Mullen (Project Director: January 2015 to May 2018)
Paul Hedges (Project Director: May 2018 to September 2021)
Simone Munson (Project Director: September 2021 to October 2021)
Angela Fritz (Project Director: October 2021 to October 2022)
Abbie Norderhaug (Project Director: October 2022 to present)

Funding details:
Original grant (2015) $262,816.00
Supplement (2017) $235,000.00
Supplement (2019) $208,087.00
Supplement (2021) $218,171.00

The digitization of 100,000 pages of historic Wisconsin newspapers published between 1836 and 1922 as part of the state's participation in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin (WHS), in coordination with a statewide advisory committee of scholars, journalists and information professionals, requests federal grant funding and provides a match in order to select and produce 100,000 digital images from microfilm of Wisconsin Newspapers 1836-1922 suitable for inclusion on the Library of Congress hosted "Chronicling America" website.

Media Coverage

'It's almost like a time capsule': Wisconsin Historical Society preserves local history (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Madalyn O'Neill
Publication: Fox 47 News
Date: 8/29/2019
Abstract: About WHS' digitization of historic newspapers from microfilm, with examples of past social media posts.
URL: https://fox47.com/news/local/its-almost-like-a-time-capsule-wisconsin-historical-society-preserves-local-history

Wisconsin Historical Society Digitizing Historic Wisconsin Newspapers (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Rachael Vasquez
Publication: Wisconsin Public Radio
Date: 9/26/2019
Abstract: Discussion with Wisconsin Historical Society about its newspaper digitization programs, their history, and their future.
URL: https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-historical-society-digitizing-historic-wisconsin-newspapers

Randi Ramsden - Wisconsin Historical Society (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Laura Downer, Michael McCowsky
Publication: Fernweh and Home
Date: 3/2/2020
Abstract: Interview with Randi Ramsden about German migration to Wisconsin, how newspapers and printed media kept German culture and traditions alive, and how the Wisconsin Historical Society is digitizing these documents.
URL: https://soundcloud.com/fernwehandhome/randi-ramsden

Associated Products

Digitized Wisconsin Newspapers (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Digitized Wisconsin Newspapers
Author: Katie Poland
Author: Randi Ramsden
Abstract: List of all Wisconsin newspapers that have been digitized and are available online, no matter what platform, and how to access them. Also contains a map showing locations of newspapers that have been digitized. First edition by Randi Ramsden in 2017, major update in 2022 by Katie Poland.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/randi.ramsden/viz/WisconsinDigitalNewspapers/Dashboard1
Primary URL Description: Link to Tableau webpage with map of Wisconsin, showing where digitized newspapers were originally printed, and a table containing lists of newspapers: where they were published, what dates have been digitized, and links to where they can be accessed online.
Secondary URL Description: Link to Tableau webpage with map of Wisconsin, showing where digitized newspapers were originally printed, and a table containing lists of newspapers: where they were published, what dates have been digitized, and links to where they can be accessed online.
Access Model: OA Gold

Shaping Identity: The history of German Language Newspapers in Wisconsin (Article)
Title: Shaping Identity: The history of German Language Newspapers in Wisconsin
Author: Randi Julia Ramsden
Abstract: Chronicles history and influence of the German-language press in Wisconsin, from its beginnings in German immigrant newspapers to a long decline starting with World War I.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/wmh/id/52419/rec/398
Primary URL Description: Article in Wisconsin Magazine of History digital archives.
Access Model: OA Gold
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Wisconsin Magazine of History
Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society

Guide to Wisconsin Newspapers, 1833-2004 (Book)
Title: Guide to Wisconsin Newspapers, 1833-2004
Author: James L. Hansen
Author: Donald Oehlerts
Abstract: A bibliography of all newspapers published in Wisconsin, places and dates of publication, and what issues are held at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Revised and electronically published.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://cdm15932.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/ladr/id/6397
Primary URL Description: Downloadable digital edition of guide, updated annually.
Access Model: OA Gold
Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society
Type: Other
Copy sent to NEH?: No

On Digital Preservation in Wisconsin (Blog Post)
Title: On Digital Preservation in Wisconsin
Author: Kristina Warner
Abstract: Guest post on Wisconsin Libraries for Everyone about the process of digitizing newspapers and making them accessible.
Date: 04/23/2019
Primary URL: https://dpi.wi.gov/wilibrariesforeveryone/guest-post-digital-preservation-wisconsin
Primary URL Description: Link to blog post.
Blog Title: Wisconsin Libraries for Everyone
Website: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Prison Newspaper Collection (Catalog)
Title: Prison Newspaper Collection
Author: Randi J. Ramsden
Abstract: Catalog of newspapers and periodicals written by prison inmates, addressing the life of inmates and their families, and other prison matters, published in Canada and the United States.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://cdm15932.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/ladr/id/11687
Primary URL Description: Link to downloadable digital version of catalog.
Catalog Type: Other
Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society

Cuban Refugee Camp Newspaper Collection (Catalog)
Title: Cuban Refugee Camp Newspaper Collection
Author: Randi J. Ramsden
Author: James P. Dankey
Abstract: Catalog of newspapers published by Cuban refugees in various military camps around the United States, documenting the lives and feelings of the Cuban refugees about their new home.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://cdm15932.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/ladr/id/11686
Primary URL Description: Link to downloadable digital version of catalog.
Catalog Type: Other
Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society

Wisconsin Historical Society Newspaper Collections (Web Resource)
Title: Wisconsin Historical Society Newspaper Collections
Author: Cynthia Bachhuber
Author: Randi J. Ramsden
Abstract: Libguide on how to find and utilize newspapers in the Wisconsin Historical Society's collection, physically and digitally.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/c.php?g=596638
Primary URL Description: Link to research guide at UW-Madison Library website.

Cooking Up History (Web Resource)
Title: Cooking Up History
Author: Jane Conway
Author: Randi J. Ramsden
Abstract: A series of blog posts that recreate historic recipes found in Wisconsin newspapers. Contains plenty of pictures, and a suggested modern version of the recipe.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://wisconsinhistory.org/cookinguphistory
Primary URL Description: Link to landing page, containing a list and further links to various recipes.

How do we digitize historic newspapers? (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: How do we digitize historic newspapers?
Writer: Randi J. Ramsden
Director: Randi J. Ramsden
Producer: Wisconsin Historical Society
Abstract: Brief video providing a behind-the-scenes look at newspaper digitization: capture, OCR, and quality review.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDa-KDsWYb4
Primary URL Description: YouTube link to video.
Access Model: OA
Format: Web

Cooking Up History (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Cooking Up History
Writer: Jane Conway
Writer: Randi J. Ramsden
Director: Jane Conway
Director: Randi J. Ramsden
Producer: Wisconsin Historical Society
Abstract: A series of brief cooking videos showing recreations of historic recipes. One video, shot at Old World Wisconsin, includes cooking in a historic kitchen.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpm3DkOY3U8f-NFlzBK5ZFWFZ2fXjUmOJ
Primary URL Description: Link to playlist containing cooking videos.
Access Model: OA
Format: Web

Wisconsin's German-Language Newspapers (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Wisconsin's German-Language Newspapers
Writer: Randi J. Ramsden
Producer: PBS Wisconsin
Abstract: Randi Ramsden, Coordinator of the National Digital Newspaper Program at the Wisconsin Historical Society, discusses the influx of German immigrants to Wisconsin and the German-language newspapers which provided news and information from the mid 1800s until World War I.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://pbswisconsin.org/watch/university-place/wisconsins-german-language-newspapers-cvw7th/
Primary URL Description: Link to video on PBS Wisconsin website.
Access Model: OA Gold
Format: Web

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