The National Archives

The National Archives

Case Study

The National Archives

Microfilm Scanning

Historical Records

Background
The National Archives is a government department and an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). As the offcial archives of the UK government, it cares for, makes available and ‘brings alive’ a vast collection of over 1000 years of historical records, including the treasured Domesday Book. 

Not only safeguarding historical information, The National Archives also manages current digital information and devises new technological solutions for keeping government records readable now and in the future. It provides world class research facilities and expert advice, publishes all UK legislation and official publications and is a leading advocate for the archive sector. At the heart of information policy, The National Archives sets standards of best practice that actively promotes and encourages public access to, and the re-use of information, both online or onsite at Kew. 

This work helps inform today’s decisions and ensures that they become tomorrow’s permanent record. The National Archives brings together the Public Record Office, Historical Manuscripts Commission, the Office of Public Sector Information and Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. 

The Challenge
For over thirty years The National Archives has microfilmed a wide range of heritage documents, including books, census forms, bound volumes of varying sizes, files, plans and maps. The vast archive aims at both the presentation and sharing of accumulated material. The challenge was to web-enable over 7 million images of widely varying quality, density and condition, which were held on microfilm

The Solution
To meet the challenge, Transmedia utilised a variety of state-of-the-art scanners and software techniques. The end product includes both high and low resolution images which can now be globally accessed via the web.

Client's website:
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
See also www.opsi.gov.uk

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