HEIRS Completes Digitization of 28,111 Historical Town Records

The Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society (HEIRS) has successfully digitized a significant portion of local history by scanning over 28,111 pages of handwritten town records dating back to 1859. This initiative, in collaboration with the Town of Essex’s Clerk’s Department, aims to preserve and promote the study of genealogical and local history within the original Township of Colchester.

The project encompasses a wide array of documents, including minutes and by-laws from Colchester North, Colchester South, and the Village of Essex Centre, as well as Essex Town by-laws. The scanning process involved multiple types of records, ranging from large bound books to loose-leaf minutes and microfilm reels stored in HEIRS’ collection.

Laurie Brett, Secretary/Treasurer of HEIRS, initiated the project approximately one year ago after obtaining permission from the Town’s Clerk’s Department. The scanning efforts revealed a notable challenge: many young volunteers, including some from HEIRS, struggled to read cursive writing, which was commonly used in historical record-keeping.

“Advances in handwriting technology have made it possible to scan these pages, transcribe them, and make them searchable,” Brett explained during the Town Council meeting on July 16, 2023. She emphasized, however, that technology cannot fully mitigate issues such as faded ink or damage from environmental factors. “A poor choice of a pen 100 years ago often means we are dealing with faded type today,” she added.

Despite these challenges, the majority of the scanned records are now searchable, enhancing access to historical documents. Brett expressed gratitude for the Town’s Clerk’s Department, stating, “They were critical to making this project successful,” particularly given the heavy nature of the records involved.

With the completion of this project, HEIRS is now shifting focus to digitizing a large collection of photographs and preserving the archives of the Essex Free Press. Brett highlighted the recent transfer of over 130 years of newspaper archives to the Leddy Library Archives and Special Collections at the University of Windsor. “Preserving the original print copies of our local newspapers has become a pressing issue,” she noted, pointing out the challenges faced by the industry, including financial viability and ownership changes.

In a statement, Joe Malandruccolo, Director of Legal and Legislative Services for the Town, expressed appreciation for HEIRS’ work, noting, “We have already started using some of it, especially for drainage by-laws that were hard to find and not digitized.”

Mayor Sherry Bondy acknowledged the hard work of HEIRS, reinforcing the importance of their contributions to the community’s historical preservation efforts. As the digitization project wraps up, the ongoing work of HEIRS continues to enhance the accessibility and understanding of local history for future generations.