Making the city’s past accessible through digital technology

So far 2,500 digitally converted records are available online

June 9, 2020

Filled with irreplaceable pieces of Winnipeg’s past, one way the City of Winnipeg Archives is making history more accessible is by digitizing select records.

“Not only do digital records make it easier for residents to learn about the city’s past, but digitization helps us preserve the original documents by limiting the amount they are handled,” said Sarah Ramsden, Senior Archivist.

With records dating back to before Winnipeg was incorporated in 1873, some items are too fragile and must undergo conservation to ensure they aren’t damaged during the process. Scanners, cameras, and other specially designed machines are then used to make digital copies of the records.

Camera above a book which is laying open on a table

“I often get asked if we plan on digitizing everything and putting it online,” said Ramsden, “But a lot of records have sensitive and personal information and we have a duty to care for these records appropriately.”

So far, more than 2,500 digitized records of letters, reports to Council, photographs, architectural plans, and sound recordings have been made available on Winnipeg in Focus. That works out to be less than one per cent of the entire collection.

“Digitization is very resource intensive,” said Ramsden.

Unlike a box of papers, a flash drive just can’t be put in storage with the expectation of being able to read the files 50 years later. Routine checks would have to be done, lasting file formats selected, you would have to ensure you have the right equipment to read the digital file, and migrate data if needed.

This is why the City Archives selects records for digitization based on which would most benefit from increased access rather than which require preservation.

“A scan cannot capture an embossed seal or watermark, and those features are crucial to authenticating documents,” said Ramsden, adding she isn’t just interested in the words on the paper, but the entirety of the record. This includes details like the thickness of the paper and the feel of the record.

In addition to digitizing select records, the City Archives has put together several digital exhibits residents can explore on Winnipeg in Focus.

Celebrating City Employees Other City Information

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.

Ces renseignements sont-ils utiles?

Comment pourrait-on améliorer cette page Web?

Les renseignements recueillis serviront à l’amélioration de notre site Web. Prière de ne pas se servir de ce formulaire pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, car la demande ne sera pas transmise au service en question. Pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec le 311.

Le présent formulaire ne vise pas à recueillir des renseignements personnels. Cependant, les renseignements personnels que vous choisissez d’inclure dans vos commentaires sont recueillis par la Ville de Winnipeg en conformité avec l’alinéa 36(1)b) de la Loi sur l’accès à l’information et la protection de la vie privée dans le but d’améliorer son site Web et ne seront ni utilisés ni divulgués pour d’autres raisons, sauf dans les cas où cela est autorisé par la loi. Communiquez avec l’agent de l’accès à l’information et de la protection de la vie privée de la Ville par courrier au Bureau du greffier, immeuble Susan-A.-Thompson, 510, rue Main, Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3B 1B9, ou par téléphone au 311 si vous avez des questions sur la collecte de ces renseignements.