EAP 636:Creating a Digital Archive of Indian Christian Manuscripts and Books

Pilot Project of Digitization of Books and Manuscripts under the British Library's Endangered Archives Programme

The Global Threat to Archives

“Documentary heritage reflects the diversity of languages, peoples and cultures. It is the mirror of the world and its memory. But this memory is fragile. Every day, irreplaceable parts of this memory disappear for ever.”

UNESCO Memory of the World Programme.

The Endangered Archives Programme

•The Programme aims to preserve through digitization archival material in danger of destruction or neglect.•The original archival material will not leave Goa. •Digitized copies of material will be kept in the British Library (BL), the Krishnadas Shama Goa Central Library (GCL) and with owners of the material.•Users of the BL and GCL may use the material for non-commercial and scholarly purposes only.•The Programme is keen to enhance local capabilities. Thus, equipment funded by the Programme will remain in Goa for future use to add to this collection.

EAP 636: Creating a digital archive of Indian Christian Manuscripts and Books

Portuguese rule in Goa bequeathed a vibrant Catholic community and a rich legacy of texts in European and Indian languages. These texts remain scattered: in state or church archives or in private family collections, or forgotten or lost in catalogued collections, remaining invisible to scholars and those interested in the history of Goa. This project therefore sought to:

•Identify and locate significant and difficult-to-access collections in Goa in non-state hands

•Digitize as much of those collections as time and money permitted

Project Work- Identification of Collections

• Rev. Fr. Dr. Ivo Coelho's pioneering work: http://indianchristianwritings.blogspot.in/

• Research and academic institutions: TSKK, XCHR• Seminaries: Pilar, Rachol• Libraries: Goa University Library, Goenkacharem Daiz• Private collections

Project Work- Digitization

Digitization began in June and was carried out at:● Xavier Centre for Historical Research● Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr● Pilar Seminary● Private papers of Mr. Percival Noronha

Project Work- Catalogue preparation

• The enormous collection of the Rachol Seminary has been catalogued.

• The catalogues of the Goenkaranchem Daiz have been digitized for easy use of scholars.

Digitization Equipment

● Overhead cameras and copy stand● Book scanners● Other lighting equipment● PCs● Tertiary storage devices

Digitization process

● Manuscripts/microfilms first scanned in RAW format● Later converted into TIFF format● Where requested, provided in PDF format for easy

viewing● Stored as digital files

List of material digitized includes...

● Kristapurana manuscript● Palm leaf manuscripts● Annuarios● Boletim eclesiastico da arquidiocese de Goa (1942-

1964)● Private papers of Gomes Catão● Microfilms of manuscripts housed at TSKK

Examples of other books

● Memoria historico eclesiastica da arquidiocese de Goa● Constituicoes do arcebispado de Goa● Quadros biographicos dos padres illustres de goa● Historia da revolta em goa des Soldades ranes e

satarienses

Examples of other books

● Index alfabetio, chronologico e remissive anno de 1811● O calendario ecclesiastico e liturgico de Goa● Historia da misericordia de Goa volume II● O grande apostolo do seculo XVI

Kristapurana manuscript

Palm leaf manuscripts (Pilar)

Image of book page after conversion to TIFF format

Acknowledgments

● British Library Endangered Archives Programme● Krishnadas Shama Goa Central Library and Mr. Carlos

Fernandes● The Office of Sponsored Programs, Ms. Halima and Ms.

Nevien Morsy at the American University in Cairo● Rev. Fr. Dr. Ivo Coelho, Mr. Rafael Viegas for their

invaluable guidance● Mr. Leonard Fernandes and his team● All of our most generous contributors