Worcestershire Tithe and Inclosure Map Project www.worcestershiremaps.org.uk


Aims:

To create a digitised version of all the data for Worcestershire held within the late 18th and early 19th century tithe and inclosure maps and their associated documentation.

Objectives:

  • To make the maps and data accessible to a wide range of new users on-line.
  • To increase access to the data whilst protecting the original documents.
  • To enable the data to be searched and displayed rapidly.
  • To develop partnerships between Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service (WHEAS) and a large number of local groups.
  • To encourage local people to use this resource and highlight other resources provided WHEAS.
  • To enable users to view this important historical data alongside other archaeological, historical and environmental data held within the Historic Environment Record Geographic Information System (GIS).

Landowners in Chaddesley Corbett in 1838


Project Details and Outcomes:

  • Each map is digitised (using ArcView GIS) from tracings or digital images of the original. Each field or yard or house becomes a "cell" into which data can be linked from the database.
  • The detail of land owners, land use, etc, held in the associated documentation is entered into an Access database and linked to the "cell" using the original field number as a unique identifier.
  • This allows the map to be displayed and searched by landowner, tenant, field name, land use and value or combinations of the above.
  • Once complete the parishes are loaded into the Worcestershire Historic Environment Record GIS which allows the data to be viewed on its own or in conjunction with other archaeological and historical data.
  • All maps can also be viewed on our on-line site www.worcestershiremaps.org.uk
  • Data from individual maps or groups of maps held on CDcan be viewed using ArcExplorer software.
  • Members of local groups are trained how to use the on-line site and CDs so that they can teach others and promote the resource.

At the time of writing 32 out of 194 parishes are on-line and a total of 52 maps have been digitised


Landuse in Chaddesley Corbett  in 1838

 

Resources and Delivery and/or Partnerships:

Project manager - part time

Project officers - I post full time for 4 years and one post full time for 18months

Local group members from 7 local groups

 

Funding:

The development of the methodology (£5000) was funded by Worcestershire County Council in 2002.

 

Since then the project has been entirely funded by local archaeological and historical societies via Local Heritage Initiative grants. Local groups have received £150,000 worth of funding for projects related to the use of historic mapping. Of this £70,000 has been used by Worcestershire Historic Environment Record staff to digitise the maps and provide training.


Duration of Project:

The project was started in 2002 and is still ongoing

Sustainability:

The Historic Environment Record has a commitment     to complete all the tithe and inclosure maps for Worcestershire and is constantly seeking further funding to ensure the continuation of the project.

Evaluation:

We are at the beginning of a formal evaluation process of the on-line site. Improvements have been suggested on an ad hoc basis by local groups and individual users. The demand from local groups to be involved in the project is still high and the response by users has been very positive.

Contact: Want to know more? For more information about this project click here and here to view PDF documents. Also you can visit the Archaeology pages of Worcestershire County Council at http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/archaeology