Stadsarchief Amsterdam Pioneers New Intuitive Search for Historical Archives
The Stadsarchief Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Noord-Hollands Archief, is advancing how the public can discover and engage with historical documents. Their "Proof of Contexts" (PoC) project aims to transform information within traditional archive pieces into a comprehensive, searchable data network. This initiative promises a more intuitive and targeted way for researchers and history enthusiasts to explore Amsterdam's rich past.
Enhancing Discovery of Amsterdam's Heritage
The core idea behind the PoC project is to move beyond conventional hierarchical browsing, allowing users to search more intuitively and precisely. This shift intends to unlock connections and insights previously hidden within vast collections. The project partners have been focused on refining these conceptual ideas into a practical, visual design.
Working with design agency Norday and data partner Spinque, the team has been developing a new visual interface. This marks a significant step, transitioning from theoretical discussions, detailed in an earlier blog post, to a tangible representation based on real archival data.
Developing a Smarter Archival Search
To test their innovative ideas, the project began with a carefully selected, manageable archive: the records of the Regents of the Foundation Roman Catholic Civilian Old Men's Home. This collection, found under access number 439 at Stadsarchief Amsterdam, was chosen for its diverse types of organization and relevance to contemporary themes like elder care. This hands-on approach provided valuable insights into identifying and relocating data points within historical records.
Expert technical sessions have further confirmed that techniques such as keyword extraction and named entity recognition could enable similar data processing on a larger, partially automated scale, setting the stage for future pilot projects.
Previewing the Future of Research
The collaborative efforts of Norday, Spinque, and the archive teams have resulted in a compelling visual design. Instead of centering on a traditional tree-like hierarchical structure, the new design prioritizes the individual record itself, offering a more direct and engaging search experience.
This innovative design has already been presented to participants of previous conceptual sessions, receiving unanimous enthusiastic feedback. This input, particularly regarding realization and scalability, is now being integrated as the project progresses.
Upcoming Public Presentation
Those eager to see the innovative design firsthand will have an opportunity on Monday, December 9th, during the project's final public presentation. Details on how to register for this event will be announced soon. Leading up to this presentation, the team is also conducting user research and compiling a comprehensive final report with recommendations for future steps.
This ongoing work at Stadsarchief Amsterdam highlights the continuous efforts to make culture and history more accessible. To discover more cultural spots and experiences in Amsterdam, explore Musemap (musemap.art) or browse museums in the city. You can also use the search function to find specific interests.
