Old genealogies need preservation
The paper has become brittle, damaged by insects, or only a single copy remains, and you want to minimize handling while creating backups.
Preserve the original appearance, make the full text searchable, and link related individuals
Genealogy Digitization
Digitization should preserve three layers of deliverables at the same time: verifiable original-page images, searchable text and catalogs, and personal relationship data that can be used for continued genealogy compilation. Simply taking a batch of photos does not mean digitization is complete.
Applicable Scenarios
First determine the current stage of your materials
Projects with the same surname and the same number of people may require different working methods depending on the source materials and objectives. The following scenarios are suitable for starting with this service.
The content needs to be searchable
There are many volumes, and you want to quickly locate original pages by genealogy title, person, region, period, and keywords.
Preparing for continued compilation and use
You want to extract individuals, generations, and relationships from old genealogies and connect them with contemporary genealogy data.
Workflow
Every step leaves intermediate results that can be checked
We first confirm the scope and basis, then organize, verify, and sign off step by step, so that all issues are not left until the final round of revisions.
Project inventory
Register the genealogy title, edition, volume number, damage, page count, binding, and copyright or authorization status for each volume.
Capture original-page images
Choose scanning or photographic capture based on the paper and binding, while controlling clarity, color, skew, and missing edges.
File naming and cataloging
Establish stable numbering for batches, books, volumes, and pages; preserve original files as read-only and generate derivative files separately.
Image processing
Create files suitable for web reading, correct orientation and necessary cropping, while retaining the unprocessed master files.
OCR and manual correction
Recognize traditional characters, variant characters, and vertical text; review low-confidence content against the original pages and do not treat machine results directly as final.
Metadata and structuring
Enter edition, volume number, page number, individuals, places, generations, and relationships, and link them to the corresponding original pages.
Quality checks, access control, and backups
Spot-check clarity, missing pages, page order, text, and links; configure access according to the public scope and retain multiple backups.
Delivery and acceptance
Deliver not only a book, but clear data and supporting evidence
| Deliverable | Contents | Acceptance Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Original image master files | High-quality scans or photos numbered by book, volume, and page | Preserved as read-only |
| Reading-version files | Images and PDFs suitable for web or local reading | Do not replace the master files |
| Volume catalog | Genealogy title, edition, volume number, page number, responsible parties, and source information | Searchable and locatable |
| OCR full text | Machine recognition, manual correction status, and low-confidence markers | Traceable back to the original page |
| Structured data | Individuals, generations, relationships, place names, and original-page links | For continued compilation and search |
| Quality report and backups | Clarity, missing pages, spot-check results, file verification, and backup notes | Acceptance by batch |
Verification Principles
Old genealogical records may contain privacy information about living members, undisclosed family materials, or copyrighted content. Digital delivery does not mean the materials may be publicly distributed. Before the project begins, ownership, the scope of authorization, and access permissions should be clearly defined.
Preparation before starting
The clearer the preparation, the less rework the project will require
Recommended items to organize first
- A list of the number of genealogy volumes, editions, and preservation condition
- Whether disassembly is permitted or only non-destructive photography is allowed
- Copyright, ownership, and the scope of authorization for public release
- Whether the required output is a table of contents, full text, or structured person data
- Whether it will later be used for web search, internal archives, or continued genealogy compilation
Things to avoid
- Delivering only compressed images without retaining master files
- Using irregular mobile phone sequence numbers as file names
- Publishing OCR results directly without sample checks
- Losing volume numbers, page numbers, and source information during digitization
Frequently Asked Questions
Matters to clarify before deciding the project scope
What is the difference between scanning and taking photos with a mobile phone?
Professional capture places greater emphasis on stable clarity, color, page order, naming, and completeness. Well-preserved genealogy volumes that cannot be disassembled may also be photographed according to standards, but distortion and shadows must be controlled.
Can OCR be completely accurate?
It cannot be guaranteed. Vertical text, variant characters, seals, damage, and handwritten content in old genealogical records can affect recognition. Confidence levels should be retained and manual correction should be performed.
Can a genealogy tree be generated directly after digitization?
Images and OCR alone are not enough. Person entities, generations, and parent-child and marriage relationships must also be identified and manually verified before a reliable lineage can be generated.
Can it be made publicly searchable online?
Technically yes, but ownership, copyright, privacy, and family authorization must be confirmed first. Materials unsuitable for public release can use login access, tiered permissions, or local deployment.
Related entry points
Continue preparing materials or learn about other stages
First describe the current state of the materials, then determine the appropriate approach
For the initial consultation, you do not need to upload the complete genealogy books, identity documents, or private information of living family members. Please describe the scale, existing materials, and desired deliverables.