Mapping Black London in World War II: A staged approach to digital spatial history

Abstract

Abstract This article suggests ways scholars may be able to deploy digital techniques in contexts without readily available quantitative data. Using the Mapping Black London (MBL) project in World War II as a case study, the article proposes ways scholars can ‘reverse engineer’ qualitative information in order to generate the data needed to make meaningful digital maps. The MBL project conducted a staged approach to digitally map the black presence in London during World War II. In contrast to other phased approaches where work typically begins with a lengthy stage of database construction and data entry followed by ‘traditional’ analysis toward the end, MBL sought to minimize the lengthy and costly lead times common to many Historic Geographic Information Systems (HGIS) projects. Work progressed through three alternative stages where the MBL team ‘mapped the topic’, before mapping selected aspects of the secondary literature and primary evidence. This article discusses the benefits drawn from such an approach, as well as suggesting some circumstances where similar methods might be deployed by others seeking to ‘reverse engineer’ qualitative sources to create digital maps.