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

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.

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!