Artificial intelligence transforms discoverability of seventeenth and eighteenth century manuscripts using Handwritten Text Recognition
ADAM MATTHEW DIGITAL ANNOUNCES FULL-TEXT SEARCH TECHNOLOGY TO BE RELEASED WITHIN ITS DIGITAL MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS FOR TEACHING AND RESEARCH
(Marlborough, UK – Thursday 14th September 2017) Adam Matthew Digital is the first primary source publisher to utilise artificial intelligence to offer transformative search capabilities with Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) for its manuscript collections.
The first new collection available with this enhancement is Colonial America, Module III: The American Revolution. Sourced from The National Archives UK, Colonial America offers access to thousands of documents on North America from 1606-1822. Described as an ‘indispensable’ resource for researchers of the early-modern Atlantic world and winner of Library Journal’s ‘Best Reference’ Award, scholars and researchers have clamoured for access to this material for years. Now for the first time, all handwritten documents within the entire Colonial America series are full-text searchable.
"HTR not only significantly enhances the already tremendous Colonial America resource, but with such innovation, the potential for the future of pre-19th century academic digitisation is huge!"
DEAN HANLON, PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER, THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, UK
The HTR application uses complex algorithms and artificial intelligence to determine possible combinations of characters in manuscripts. This enables relevant handwritten text to be identified at document level, allowing users to easily navigate between highlighted search results.
“HTR has been one of the final holy grails; to make digitised manuscript content fully searchable is transformative. This technology will dramatically change teaching and research possibilities. To see accurate search results from 17th century manuscript material is the most exciting use of technology I have seen in our industry.”
KHAL RUDIN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ADAM MATTHEW DIGITAL
This game-changing technology is set to be released in both new and selected existing collections published by Adam Matthew Digital, including Medical Services and Warfare, East India Company and Mass Observation Online.
To find out more or to request a free 30-day trial of Colonial America to view HTR in action, contact info@amdigital.co.uk or watch the demonstration video.
Recent posts
Look back to the 2010s with the next decade of material gathered by Mass Observation, based at The Keep at the University of Sussex. This unique material continues to provide access to rare, first-hand accounts supporting subject-led research, information literacy instruction, and interdisciplinary teaching.
Martha Fogg, AM's Managing Director, shares insights into strategic priorities amidst evolving research and teaching landscapes. Her interview with Against the Grain addresses equitable access to primary sources, classroom applications, and our global partnerships.