Historical identification and mapping

Abstract

This project was set out to design a method of capturing and cataloguing historical data to produce a Geographic Information System (GIS) map of a portion of the Old Ballaarat Cemetery. The research project was undertaken due to the lack of digital information on historical features in Ballarat. The completion of the GIS map was achieved using a Total Station for survey control and data collection and a hand held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to capture and catalogue the data in the cemetery, in addition a GIS was used to store and map the captured data. The mapped data was transferred onto a web page that is able to be updated with new information from other cemeteries for the formation of an Australia wide database in the future. The results provides a public record of the deceased that can be accessed for use in a diversity of areas from genealogy and historical studies to the general public's interest. It was also concluded that these developments in all of the cemeteries of Australia will provide current information for many organisations.