1	A Brief Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Anne Zald, Head Map Collection & Cartographic Information Services University of Washington Libraries UW Extension Certificate Program in Genealogy and Family History January 20, 2005
2	A Geographic Information System is: . . . a System of computer software, hardware and data, and personnel to help manipulate, analyze and present information that is tied to a spatial location spatial location– usually a geographic location information– visualization of analysis of data system– linking software, hardware, data personnel– a thinking explorer who is key to the power of GIS
3	A Geographic Information System is NOT: GPS – Global Positioning System A brief Encyclopedia Britannica article distinguishing between GIS & GPS A static map – paper or digital Maps are often a “product” of a GIS A way to visualize the analysis A software package
4	What is GIS? A method to visualize, manipulate, analyze, and display spatial data “Smart Maps” – linking a database to the map Adapted from Geographic Information Systems “GIS”: Geography Matters http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/whatisgis.pdf
5	Some Ways GIS Is Used Emergency Services – Fire & Police Environmental – Monitoring & Modeling Business – Site Location, Delivery Systems Industry – Transportation, Communication, Mining, Pipelines, Healthcare Government – Local, State, Federal, Military Education – Research, Teaching Tool, Administration Adapted from Geographic Information Systems “GIS”: Geography Matters http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/whatisgis.pdf
6	Examples of GIS driven websites Store locator http://www.godiva.com Interactive Atlas of Reproductive Health http://www.gis.com/index.html King County Online Interactive Map Services http://www.metrokc.gov/gis/mapportal/index.htm Pierce County Online Interactive Map Services http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/is/gis.htm
7	Examples of Online Historical Map Resources These are examples of static digital maps – NOT examples of GIS. Early Washington Maps: A Digital Collection Library of Congress Map Collections: 1500-2004 Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection – Historical Maps David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
8	Examples of Online Historical Map Resources (2) Historical census browser - UVa Has limited mapping features Cannot download data from this site Cannot find info on individuals at this site Cannot find data for areas smaller than counties Puget Sound River History Project Montgomery, David R. 2003. King of Fish: The Thousand-year Run of Salmon. Westview Press.
9	Examples of analysis and visualization that can be done using GIS Historical New Haven Columbia Cemetery – City of Boulder Read about how it was done GIS for Civil War Battlefield Preservation Lewis & Clark Project Historical GIS Projects & Resources
10	Read More About It GIS in Historical Research: The North-West Shropshire Tithe Maps and Apportionments This paper presents the process of data and map preparation for GIS analysis. Please note that these are complex activities. Place in History: A Guide to Using GIS in Historical Research by Ian Gregory Commissioned by the History Data Service as part of the Arts and Humanities Data Service publication series Guides to Good Practice in the Creation and Use of Digital Resources. Knowles, Anne Kelly, ed. 2002. Past time, past place: GIS for history. ESRI Press.