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?"

Comments

Handheld scanner

[rbcd]

Why not use a handheld scanner and some stitching software?

Re:Handheld scanner

[Gilmoure]

Or contact local university geography department. Might be able to work up some program with them to have students do the digitizing.

Contact a Museum

[Speare]

I suggest you contact the restoration experts in major museums for (1) advice about preservation, and (2) how they go about their own digitizing projects. I read a fascinating article about the digitization of many medieval parchments, but I don't recall the particular museum involved now.

University cartography or geography department

[molo]

You might want to find the local university cartography or geography department. They will probably already have a method of doing this, or at least could point you to someone who does. Here's an example: http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/ and their historical maps: http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/MAPS.html

-molo

Re:Talk to a curator

[KlaymenDK]

Seconded. Get some quality gear. As in, contact your local university or museum, they are bound to have (connections to some place with) the proper equipment.

What's this for? If you would be willing to donate digital copies, or even the originals (if you feel they would be better able to take proper care of them), I bet they would gladly provide the time and resources.

Good luck!

Re:Quick post since I am heading out

[garyisabusyguy]

If you are having a hard time finding a surveyor, just go to the closest construction sight and find a guy that looks like the sun has baked him into beef jerky and that has orange and pink ribbon hanging out of his truck.

If you are not really certain, just ask him where the closest pcc is and he will give you an hour long spiel about the advantages of pccs over spirals.

At this point you should realize that you would rather talk to a GIS professional than a Surveyor, if only to save your sanity. Trust me, I have been both and LS's can be a drag.