1. Project overview

The project studied information contained within 242 record cards from the Jewish Temporary Shelter dating from the 1940s and 1950s which records migrants passing through the shelter just after WWII. The Jewish Museum employed a research associate to carry out the task of geo-referencing the data, promoting the progress of the project through blogs and social media and presenting outcomes via talks and workshops. Project outputs included a microsite on the Jewish Museum London’s website dedicated to the project, an interactive map, a searchable dataset, and workshops and talks published on YouTube.

2. Project stats

3. Key successes

• A microsite on the Jewish Museum London’s website dedicated to the project, an interactive map where data can be easily navigated, a searchable dataset, two workshops published on YouTube, and a talk, also published on YouTube.
• A total of 24 people from all over the UK and Europe participated in engagement activities. In addition, Museum Collections staff have now been trained in geo-referencing, basic html coding, and web publishing.

4. Key learnings

• When looking at the website analytics, upward curves are made around the time of events, so it’s clear that social media supports a strong crescendo of engagement.
• A view of the Research Centre analytics page supports the idea that this project has encouraged greater engagement and exploration of the Research Centre web pages. More projects such as this will extend the depth of exploration and connection.

5. Top tip

Using digital technology can help to interpret and disseminate information in a visual and accessible way. By mapping the data using geo-referencing techniques, our project aimed to inspire our audiences to conduct further research into the collection and upskill them with the skills to present data in new ways.

6. Links to digital outputs

• Mapping Migration: The Jews’ Temporary Shelter following WWII

7. Attribution

Digitally Democratising Archives (2022) by The Audience Agency supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Digitally Democratising Archives (Opening Archives) was an action research project, designed and led by The Audience Agency, supporting 10 organisations to explore archives, community engagement and digital tools. It was funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2021/22 as part of the as part of the Digital Skills for Heritage’s Connect Heritage programme.

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Except where noted and excluding company and organisation logos this work is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) Licence

Please attribute as: "Digitally Democratising Archives: Case Study 1 (2022) by The Audience Agency supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, licensed under CC BY 4.0