*** Delaware Postcard Collection README ***
Dataset created by Demetra McBrayer, PhD Candidate, English, University of Delaware and Library, Museums and Press staff. 
Documentation created by Kayla Abner, Data Visualization and Analysis Librarian, University of Delaware (kabner@udel.edu). Please contact with any questions.

*** ORIGINAL DATASET ***
This project started with metadata on all of the postcards in our Delaware Postcard Collection created by Library, Museums and Press staff. Information includes, if available, the Creator, Title, relevant dates, location depicted, a description, subjects, whether or not there is a sender message, postmark information, the addressee, publisher information, and a link to the digitized copy. 

*** DERIVED DATASET ***
"DE_postcard_collection_coordinates.csv" 
This dataset is derived from materials in our Delaware Postcard collection (https://findingaids.lib.udel.edu/repositories/2/resources/763), and features a selection of 178 postcards from the collection. Selections were chosen to provide fairly even representation across the state. Each row contains latitude and longitude coordinates with, in some cases, an estimation, of exactly the area or landmark the postcard depicts. 

To generate coordinates, a general Google search was the first step. Some locations are still standing and being used, though results were double checked before assuming the current location is the same as the location in the post card; street names can change, streets can be expanded or removed, and some businesses may be reopened in new locations decades later.

The following sources were also utilized to pinpoint historical locations:
Delaware Public Archives’ Historical Markers Tag (https://archives.delaware.gov/tag/historical-markers/) provides a specific address for a location if it is a historic location.
Delaware Public Archives’ Photograph Exhibits (https://archives.delaware.gov/digital-archives/photograph-exhibits/) can offer better views or metadata about buildings, streets, and towns on display in photocards.
Delaware Public Archives’ Department of State Photographs: Cities & Towns (https://archives.delaware.gov/digital-archives/dos-cities-towns/) operates similar to the photograph exhibits.
The Library of Congress website (https://www.loc.gov/) using broad or granular approaches to search terms, such as “Harrington, Delaware” (broad) or “First National Bank of Harrington Harrington Delaware” (granular).
The Center for Historic Architecture & Design (CHAD) has a GIS-based database (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/chad/archives-publications/chad-collection-map) for destroyed or threatened locations in Delaware.
Webpage: “Reflections on Delmarva’s Past” (https://delmarvahistory.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/large-collection-of-online-historic-delaware-maps-helps-researchers/). It aggregates a number of cartographic resources for Delaware.

Addresses were then searched in Google Maps in order to retrieve geo-coordinates. At times, an approximate guess is provided: for example, the data will point to a generalized area that suffices for mapping. Yet it is necessary that we acknowledge, at some point, that points within this data are estimations, not always determinations.

*** USING THIS DATASET ***
Data is available in comma-separated values (CSV) format and can be used in any spreadsheet program that accepts CSVs. This data could be used in mapping software that accepts latitude and longitude coordinates, or to create data visualizations. There are three fields for coordinates: one with latitude and longitude together, separated by a comma; one with latitude only, and one with longitude only. This allows for greatest interoperability between software programs. 

*** CREDIT ***
The derived datasets are licensed under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC 4.0 - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.