National Park Service, Fredericksburg National Cemetery Project
1013 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg, VA 72401
Mission Statement:
The purpose of this project is to work with the Fredericksburg National Cemetery and the National Park Service to create a digitized map and registry for all of the soldiers buried in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. In order to do this, our group will be creating a website, using Omeka, that will contain information about the digitized register, the map showing where each of the soldiers is buried and the limited information that we know about unknown soldiers. All of the materials will be uploaded to the Omeka site and elaborated on upon uploading. Each of these different sections of information will be located in separate pages. Additionally, our group will be working to digitize the cover, binding and each page of the register provided by the National Parks Service. Upon digitization, the files will be saved as a TIFF file. Afterwards, we will be converting the files into a JPG so that the images can be uploaded onto both the website and map. Users will be able to see the fully scanned page that correlates with that soldier. The map will be created utilizing Google Maps which will have a search function so that users can find the corresponding row their soldier is buried.
Website:
This site, created with Omeka, will be different from the preexisting sites showcasing the Fredericksburg National Cemetery because it will include an interactive map that will allow visitors to see what row of the cemetery specific soldiers are buried in. We intend to have multiple tabs, one for the home page, register page, the map, and information that we know about each of the unknown soldiers. The home page will include our mission statement and the link to the National Parks Service. All of the files that are scanned will be uploaded into our Omeka site, with the url of fnc.umwhistory.org. The site allows for both a location for the map and the files, as well as an interface that allows visitors to come and search for individual names to locate the person’s page. Google maps can easily be embedded in Omeka, and we will be using a Omeka’s native search function to allow visitors to locate the page based on the names that they search.
Digitizing:
Each of the pages that are scanned will have an individual file name, see naming conventions before. The cemetery registry will be digitized in TIFF files and then converted into a JPG. Information will be recorded using Google Sheets so that information can be easily shared and modified by group members.
Naming Conventions:
Blank pages: FRSP_7700_front_blankpage_01 (blankpage_blank page number)
Index: FRSP_7700_index_iii (index_index page number)
Page Numbering Convention: FRSP_7700_276_08914 (FRSP_7700_Pagenumber_Firstrunningnumberonpage)
FRSP_7700_index_xxii
Mapping:
In addition to digitizing files, our group will be creating a map, using Google Maps, that allows the viewer to easily access and interact with specific graves within a designated row that belongs to a broader section of the cemetery. Rows within each section will alternate between opacity and transparency to make it easier to look at and sections will be color coded for visual distinction. Google Maps allows one to add 2000 rows per layer. We will have a number of layers, so we will run into no issues with google maps running out of space. When using the map, visitors will be able to put a specific name into the search bar which will tell you the exact row that the grave is located in. The original, handwritten map will be included on our website. Hyperlinks to the register pages with the names of the soldiers will be included within each row of the Google Map so that users can link directly to the corresponding register page.
Link to map: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pxN7zWLQNeVZ-M9dSvO8yrcjBgZr1e-Z&usp=sharing
Tools
We chose Omeka because it has a good search engine and breaks down the metadata very concisely. Google Maps allowed us the closest satellite image of the cemetery and is easiest to navigate. We will use google sheets for our own administrative purposes and to keep our entire group on the same page about various aspects of the project.
Audience:
This map and website is designed for people who are visiting the cemetery and trying to utilize the map itself. Visitors will be able to view the cemetery in sections on the map and will be able to select each and see which soldiers are buried there. On the website, visitors will be able to view the pages of the digitized book and find a specific soldier’s name. For the park service, the website and map will allow them easier access to locations of soldiers for visitors who want to see specific people. It will also give the park workers a reference for visitors who want to explore on their own but still need help. Additionally, this site should be available to scholars, students and academics.
Advertising:
Request to have the site linked to the National Parks Service website. Generate numerous links on public platforms (our domains, facebook, twitter, etc.) to optimize the search engine’s abilities. Given government regulations, it is not possible at this time to have our website linked to the NPS Fredericksburg National Cemetery website, so we will populate it elsewhere. Present to the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, James Monroe Museum, Hugh Mercer’s Apothecary, flyers around Downtown Fred.
Sustainability:
This project lends itself to being an ongoing endeavour. In the future, the work could possibly be taken up by subsequent seminars, or even an internship. While we cannot do these things with our own time, we had a number of ideas for additional features that could be added.
Transcription of the Register, pictures of the gravestones, an easier map when mapping tools advance. We also think it would be interesting to more clearly delineate the units involved, and the casualties of which particular battles are buried there. Perhaps in the long term, the NPS website would host the website and have more direct control over it.
Suggested URL location:
fnc.umwhistory.org
Division of labor:
Each group member will carry out the different tasks as stated below.
Digitize:
- Primary: Megan, Marianne, Claire
- Secondary: Olivia, Emma, Abby, Nick
Convert Files from TIFF to JPG/ do edits: Abby, Megan
Rename the Files: Emma, Claire, Megan
(Double check the file names, ensuring no errors, batch save them as jpgs)
Upload Files onto the website: Olivia, Claire
(Add the map, add the register files, and link the register files, add links to relative outside sources)
Add Metadata: Megan, Claire, Olivia, and Emma will be adding metadata
Create the website: Olivia, Marianne
Create the map: Nick (Secondary: Olivia)
Add the People into the Map: Nick, Emma, Abby, Megan
(Add into the map the names of the people buried in each row, including the unknowns)
Design/Distribute Flier and Public Relations: Marianne, Abby, Megan
Scan and make the index available: Megan
Personal Goals: We all know/have done each aspect of the project (labors stated above), so we all know what is going on and we all have acquired new skills
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12 Contracts Due by noon |
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14 Digitize: Claire (2pm-4pm) & Megan (4pm-5pm) |
15 Digitize: Marianne (11am-5pm) |
16 Digitize: Emma, Abby, (3pm-5pm) |
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20 Revised Contracts Due |
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27 (February) 100% of Register Converting Files |
28 Omeka Website Complete (bare bones structure*) |
March 1 10 minute presentation |
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5 Public Relations: Marianne |
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13 Finish Adding Names to Map |
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20 50% Files Uploaded 10 minute presentation |
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27 100% Files Uploaded Decide on Stretch Goals |
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29 5 minute presentation |
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5 10 minute presentation |
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17 100% of Metadata added |
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24 Due date!!! |
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27 Formal Presentations |
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* Barebones Omeka website: Outline of the website without the content. All the tabs we will need, the theme finalized, the structure ready to deposit the map and the file names.
Learning Objective:
To enhance digital skills, effectively use known digital resources and learn and understand new digital tools.
Stretch Goals:
- Breaking down the cemetery by state, battle or locations to make it easier to navigate and understand for both scholars and students
- Example: Heading for Battle of the Wilderness – include some information on the battle, and then name all the dead from that battle buried in the cemetery, linking their names back to the register pages on which they are listed
- Example: NY Infantry – include the names of all the soldiers in the NY infantry listed on the register, and which battles they died at. Also include some information on the unit and its formation.
- We will decide if we are pursuing this stretch goal by March 27th
Future Project Goals:
- Make visiting the cemetery a more interactive experience by adding photos of the graves and combining aurasma
- Creates a more visually appealing image to the eye
- Breaking down the cemetery by state, battle or locations to make it easier to navigate and understand for both scholars and students
- Example: Heading for Battle of the Wilderness – include some information on the battle, and then name all the dead from that battle buried in the cemetery, linking their names back to the register pages on which they are listed
- Example: NY Infantry – include the names of all the soldiers in the NY infantry listed on the register, and which battles they died at. Also include some information on the unit and its formation.