An introduction to the work of the Scottish Archive Network

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An introduction to the work of the Scottish
Archive Network

• Internet access to the written history of Scotland

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What is it?

• A 4,000,000 project funded by
• Heritage Lottery Fund
• Genealogical Society of Utah
• National Archives of Scotland
• The project was begun in August 1999 and will be
  completed in December 2003.

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Why do we need it?

• Many archive researchers dont know what
  information is available and where
• Researchers must visit record offices in person
  and during office hours to consult catalogues
• Paper archive catalogues can be difficult to
  search because of their complexity and size

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The SCAN Project has 3 parts

• To put the collection level catalogues of all 52
  participating archives on-line
• To create an index of over 520,000 Scottish wills
  and testaments 1500-1901 linked to digital images
  of 3 million pages of wills
• To create a web-site containing a range of
  additional on-line services for users

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Part 1 Online Catalogues

• Collection level catalogues available for all
  the holdings of participating archives i.e.
  summary descriptions of archive collections
• Collection level data compiled according to
  international standards of archival description
  (crucial for successful exchange of data across
  the globe)
• This data is available on-line, allowing a
  simultaneous search across all holdings of
  participating archives
• The Online Catalogues are launched on 23 October
  2003.
• http//www.scan.org.uk

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Part 2 Wills Testaments

• Free access for users to electronic index up to
  1901 via the Internet
• Search results produced almost instantaneously
• Researchers can purchase high quality colour
  digital images of testaments online
• Instant provision of electronic or paper copies
  from digital image
• Digitised copies can be manipulated on-screen to
  improve their legibility
• Research tools
• The original volumes will be conserved and placed
  in permanent storage
• http//www.scottishdocuments.com

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Part 3 Online Resources

• Main elements-
• Knowledge Base
• Virtual Vault
• Scots Currency Converter
• Scottish Handwriting
• Glossary
• Bookshop
• Exhibitions
• Directory
• Discussion Forum

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Part 3 Online Resources

• SCAN provides a central point of reference for
  information about Scottish archives
• SCAN allows Scottish archives to communicate with
  each other
• SCAN allows partner archives to take advantage of
  the promotional opportunities afforded by the Web

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What it means for researchers

• Access the Scottish Archive Network facilities in
  your local archive or at home, or from anywhere
  in the world
• Search contents of participating archives
• Look up index of wills covering whole country
• Buy a digital copy of a will via the Internet
• Have your enquiries answered by the Knowledge
  Base
• Help with reading and understanding documents
• View exhibitions and documents online.

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The Scottish Archive Network

• On-line access to the holdings of 52 Scottish
  archives
• http//www.scan.org.uk