Final Project Update

At this stage of my project, I am working to develop my map of St. Patrick’s Ward. Most recently I have been doing some work with Google Earth’s image overlay feature. For smaller files, this feature has been excellent and has enabled me to layer several maps very accurately over my Google Earth map of the Ward. Unfortunately, some of the files I am using are enormous and therefore appear as a large red “x” over my Google Earth map. I have tried cropping my maps but for whatever reason when I press save, the image goes blank in the file thumbnail as well as the image itself. I am not sure how to remedy this issue. Compounding my frustration in that regard is the fact that the files are so large that it takes a while for my computer to do anything at all with the image. What I have been doing is, essentially, making a copy of the original file and using that copy to experiment with. If anyone knows, from that description, what I am doing wrong, any advice would be appreciated. Aside from that, the image overlay function works brilliantly for smaller files and I am very happy with the results. My map right now is my central focus as it will hopefully be quite elaborate and will take a fair amount of work. Otherwise, my website will be a medium through which I can provide the public access to materials they might not otherwise have access to. The text element will also be fairly straightforward to me as I am used to the research and writing process. Deadlines are fast approaching, so I am getting rather anxious to get what I am creating finished and on the web but there is still a lot of work to be done.

Final Project Update

Since my last blog post a lot has happened in terms of my final project. Firstly, i have begun experimenting with Google Earth. I was very impressed with how easy it was to use this software to visualize a particular landscape. Using the polygon feature, I was able to map out St. Patrick’s Ward in translucent green and add some place markers. Additionally, I visited Jenny Marvin who helped me digitize a selection of maps ranging from 1855 to 1989. Furthermore, I am contemplating cropping some of these maps and creating layers of maps over my Google Earth map of the Ward allowing website visitors to gain a truly visual sense of change, especially considering that in the 1855 map, the Ward does not yet exist. I have also visited the Wellington Museum website and have found some excellent photographic resources to use for my website. Some of them are covered by copyright, so I will have to request photos and wait to hear back on their status. I have also contacted the Guelph Civic Museum and will begin searching their collections as soon as I have the time. In terms of research, my efforts have been a bit scattered as I am covering such a vast topic and I am beginning to worry about website content. In terms of web tools, I have set up an account with Omeka which looks to be a good fit for a historical based website. Omeka has an ample array of plug-ins, however, I may need to link visitors to my Google Earth map on my University of Guelph host site. I took a look at Anje’s suggestions for my project and found them to be helpful. I will definitely incorporate a bibliography as well as links where I can. A walking tour should be fairly feasible for me, however, printable versions already exist and, as such, I question how much I would really be adding to the works of others in doing so.

There is a lot of work to be done, but I will continue my work and keep you all updated on what I am up to.

Final Project Ideas

After meeting with Jennifer Marvin at the Data Resource Centre I have a few new ideas for my project. Originally, I was thinking of simply creating an interactive map using Google Earth and creating a more research intensive project which draws upon local history more extensively. However, after my meeting I have a few new ideas. Using the University of Guelph archives and the Guelph Civic Museum I could compile a collection of historical photos which I would like to use. Using fire insurance plans available at the library, I could compile some information in terms of workplaces, where they were located, and how this has changed over time. Upon request, I could have maps digitized which I could also include on my website. I could either have a webiste with a more diverse array of media or I could try to integrate these resources into a tour using the manual on Web-Based Mapping Tools that we were given. Most importantly, I now have a traditionally working class target area of Guelph which I would like to examine which is St. Patrick’s Ward or, more informally, “the Ward.” Though I do not yet have much knowledge of the Ward’s history, I should be able to find information from a variety of sources which I have been discovering and am discovering as I type this blog post such as the Ward Residents’ Association and their blog. What’s more: turns out I actually live in the Ward! At this stage, I feel like I have my work cut out for me. I have a more clear idea of what I would like to accomplish, but now my main concern is time. Most of my work thus far has consisted of brainstorming and establishing a clear concept of what I want to to, now I must work through the logistics of making it happen.