/ Case Studies Heritage Digitisation
Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) - Archival Digitisation Project
Digitisation of diverse historical records supporting preservation and access to war heritage archives
Microform was engaged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to support the digitisation of a substantial and varied archival collection.
The project comprised the capture of 248,370 images from 2,331 folders, representing 249,420 individual documents and forming a significant body of historical material relating to war records and memorialisation.
The collection included legal deeds, glass plate slides, negatives, press cuttings, photographs and albums, transcripts, manuscripts, certificates, and large-format plans with A0 foldouts.
/ The Challenge
How do you digitise a highly varied archival collection containing delicate photographic formats, legal and manuscript material, and large-format plans while maintaining consistency, preservation, and structured control across thousands of folders?
Format diversity and preservation requirements
The project brought together a very broad range of archival material types, each requiring an appropriate capture method and careful handling within a single digitisation programme.
- Diverse formats, from photographic material to legal and manuscript records
- Delicate items including glass plate slides and photographic negatives
- Large-format documents including A0 plans and foldouts
- Need for consistent image quality across mixed material types
Structured digitisation workflow
Microform implemented a workflow designed to accommodate wide variation in material types and sizes while maintaining alignment between physical records and digital outputs.
- Appropriate capture methods selected according to format and condition
- Careful handling of delicate photographic and archival material
- Large-format plans and foldouts digitised using suitable capture systems
- High-resolution image capture to ensure clarity across all document types
Consistency across large collections
Structured processing ensured that the collection could be managed efficiently across a large number of folders and document types, without compromising quality or traceability.
- Structured workflows maintained consistency across folders and collections
- Controlled framework supported preservation and digital alignment
- Mixed material types delivered within one coherent programme
- Outputs prepared to support ongoing archival access and management
/ Long-term benefits
Multi-format expertise
The programme covered photographic, manuscript, legal, and large-format records.
Delicate material handling
Glass plate slides and negatives were digitised within a controlled workflow.
Large-format capability
Plans and foldouts were captured accurately using suitable equipment.
Improved access
The completed archive supports preservation, research, and records management.
/ Outcome
The project was successfully delivered within the required timeframe, producing a high-quality digital archive of historically significant material. The digitised collection supports long-term preservation and improved access to records held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, enabling more efficient research, access, and management of important war heritage archives.