Blog 6

I reconstructed a historical map of Northfield by georeferencing a 1968 map and aligning it with its current location on a present-day map. To do this, I utilized the David Rumsey Map Collection, which made the process much more accessible. Going through the georeferencing process expanded my understanding of various types of DH projects. Georeferencing allows you to create map layers that make it easier to track and visualize changes over time, helping to place historical data in the context of the present. This skill could be useful for numerous DH projects involving historical research, urban studies, and more. Although using the David Rumsey Map Collection wasn’t my first experience with georeferencing, having used ArcGIS Online in a previous class, I found the online tool to be much more intuitive. ArcGIS has a more complex interface, requiring several steps to accomplish a similar task. In contrast, georeferencing with the David Rumsey Map Collection is pretty straightforward, as it involves matching up at least five different locations from both maps.

However, despite its simplicity, I feel the tool lacks some advanced features, such as adding labels or interactivity. I believe that including features like clickable locations with metadata or additional labels could enhance the map’s usability, making it even more valuable for users who want to engage with the historical data in a deeper way. Exploring these enhancements would be an interesting next step. There are also some other challenges to consider when georeferencing. For example, maps can be distorted due to the type of projection used, making it difficult to align them with modern maps. Additionally, many historical maps contain less detailed data compared to current maps, which can make it challenging to locate specific landmarks or reference points needed for accurate georeferencing. Despite these challenges, georeferencing offers many advantages, particularly in its ability to visualize and compare historical data with present-day information, providing valuable insights into changes over time.

Click here to see my map!