Part 1: Data Mapping Project Update

For the last six weeks as part of the Data Mapping Project I have been working to update and enhance an extracted dataset of Scottish business archive collections held by the National Register of Archives. The project funded by the Archives and Records Association is part of a wider project by the National Strategy for Business Archives in Scotland.

As you may have seen from my previous post, the aim of the project is to provide a new online resource which presents the enhanced dataset in visually new ways. The finished resource will enable interpretation and analysis of the business collections by industry, geographical location and by repository sector.

This will provide a resource for archivists and researchers to explore business history by viewing business archives differently, encouraging fresh interpretation on the subject area.

One of the surprise findings of the project was Manufacturing only contributes to 1% of the total Scottish business archives with businesses involved in Shops, Merchants and Distributors representing 13%.

The project methodology and report outlining the findings and recommendations will be posted here shortly. Future stages of the Data Mapping Project will also be posted on this page.