Sources & Methods
Through meticulous research over years, MapOE team has incorporated primary materials from various archives.
The Ali Pasha Archive, with its extensive collection of almost 1,500 documents, offers unique insights into the region's history. Additionally, we have consulted documents sourced directly from the Ottoman Imperial Archives, shedding light on the Ottoman administration in Epirus. To further enrich our understanding, we have incorporated historical maps that provide visual context and aid in comprehending the territorial evolution of the region over time.
In our methodological statement and epistemologies, we explain that we approach these archives, not only as complementary sources, but also as two different competing epistemic programs, with different modes of expressing, knowing, measuring and classifying regional realities.
Data Development
Digitization
Our general methods encompass a comprehensive approach to data development, starting with a digitization process through the the direct acquisition of scanned source materials and original scanning.
Text extraction
To extract text from these sources, we employ a combination of manual close reading, optical character recognition (OCR) of published archives, and regular expressions/scripting techniques, carefully ensuring the highest quality output.
Tabular data
For organizing tabular data, we utilize Google Sheets, employing both relational tables and manual data development techniques. This approach enables us to maintain a structured and accessible database.
Spatial data
When it comes to spatial data, we employ various methods. To identify place names, we utilize resources such as Wikidata/geobase APIs, Google searching, historical maps, and Google Sheets. We prepare our toponym index after structuring the place name records. Our team utilizes Adobe Photoshop for remastering and georeferencing historical maps, followed by digitization using GIS (Geographic Information System) software, ensuring accurate spatial representation.
Source integration
In our research, we have utilized two essential archives: the Ali Pasha Archive and the Ottoman Imperial Archives. To effectively integrate these valuable sources, we employed a name matching approach.
Matching corresponding individuals across the archives was achieved through a combination of digital automation and historical interpretation. The liability record we found in the Ottoman Archive consisted of 716 names, while the Greek Archive contained 2025 names. Through our rigorous process, we identified the potential for 274 matches, which accounts for approximately 40% of the total. This meticulous matching process enables us to establish connections and uncover valuable insights into the lives and interactions of individuals documented within these archives.
