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Digitizing and Geocoding Old Maps?

alobar72 writes "I have quite a few old maps (several hundreds; 100+ years old, some are already damaged – so time is not on my side). What I want to do is to digitize them and to apply geo-coordinates to them so I can use them as overlays for openstreetmap data or such. Obviously I cannot put those maps onto my €80 scanner and go. Some of them are really large (1.5m x 1.5m roughly, I believe) and they need to be treated with great care because the paper is partly damaged. So firstly I need a method or service provider that can do the digitizing without damaging them. Secondly I need a hint what the best method is to apply geo coordinates to those maps then. The maps are old and landscape and places have changed, it maybe difficult to identify exact spots. So: are there any experiences or tips I could use?"

7 of 235 comments (clear)

  1. Oblig: Steven Wright by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 3, Funny

    Obviously I cannot put those maps onto my 80 scanner and go. Some of them are really large (1.5m x 1.5m roughly, I believe) ...

    I have a map of the U.S. - its actual size. The legend says "1 mile = 1 mile".
    People ask me where I live and I say, "E4".

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    1. Re:Oblig: Steven Wright by b4dc0d3r · · Score: 2, Funny

      You sunk my battleship!

    2. Re:Oblig: Steven Wright by blackraven14250 · · Score: 2, Funny

      The last time they tried that, it lasted for about 4 years.

  2. Re:set course by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I guess you should have used a more up to date map.

  3. Google Them by imscarr · · Score: 3, Funny

    Take photographs of them and put them on the internet. Google will automagically index them and add them to their street maps in real time.

    --
    Like the beaver, it's just Dam one thing after another
  4. Re:Contact a Museum by SwordsmanLuke · · Score: 2, Funny

    piqued, not peaked

    To be fair, his email could just be the most interesting thing to ever happen in the recipient's life. ;)

    *Note for Grammar Nazis: I am aware I have split an infinitive. So you all can just sic it. :P

    --
    Any plan which depends on a fundamental change in human behavior is doomed from the start.
  5. Re:We can help! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    placenamese

    It's a language of its own.