The key to releasing community energy and action for local genealogical work is to minimize the data framing required. Community efforts can then focus on the collection of data, and making connections between the data elements in their records. In other words, the work of creating data structures and appropriate frames should be solved independently of the indispensable field work that only local groups can do.
Community heritage groups in the province have built extensive archival collections in recent decades, with often quite extensive digital records. However, these digital datasets use different software bases, data structures, source authentication, and quality standards. Given the volume of digital information available, we see this as a data management and programming problem.
KITH is working with heritage groups in Antigonish, Hants and Halifax counties to preserve and digitize the A. F. Church maps and match the map information with existing genealogical records. The goal is to improve our understanding of the history and social relations in nineteenth century Nova Scotia, and make this data publicly accessible.
