TOPIC:

In collections and in on-line sales platform listings there is information available that is missing in the research databases on this website or that of the Bloemfontein museum (wmbr.org.za). Especially the envelopes to the Boer POW’s often show data, such as the prison camp where the POW was sent, not present in the databases.

It would be helpful if there was a simple way for site members or others to help both websites update their database. I have two left hands where it comes to IT but perhaps this can be achieved by adding an icon where new information can be posted. The website owner or manager can then decide whether the information is deemed reliable enough to add to the relevant database.

Alternatively, this thread could perhaps be used by members who have come across data that is missing from the databases by posting the new information with a photographic or other evidence about where this info was sourced. It is then up to the site owners to incorporate this information subsequently into their databases or not.

I think this is a great idea - it would certainly add to the collective pool of knowledge and the updated/enhanced data can be put to good use by those of us in the here and now as well as generations to come.

On many occasions we are approached by family members or other interested parties for "more information" about a recipient or combatant - this way we could obviate the need for a deep and time-consuming dive into our records, carefully curated over many years, by making it all available with various links to the original.

How practical would be it be to get started and all the stakeholders on the same page? Therein lies the rub.

Regards

Rory

Hi EFV

I was associated with the War Museum in Bloemfontein for more than 30 years. I mainly handled the database of prisoners of war. It is impossible to put all the information that is available on the website. This slows down the website and it is easier to complete inquiries via email if there are inquiries about family etc.

Regards
Elmarie

Elmarie, thank you for your reaction and also many thanks for creating the excellent and really useful research databases at the Museum.

I am a bit puzzled by your remark in relation to my suggestion. I didn't envisage massive amounts of data to be added. The information available in the referred databases now often state “Country Unknown, Camp Unknown”, etc. If these words were to be exchanged for, say, St. Helena and Deadwood and perhaps a single paragraph is added with more information about the person, I don’t see how that could have any negative effect on the operations of the site.

At any point in time there are dozens (hundreds?) of POW related envelopes offered for sale in online auctions. Thousands of these covers (as well as letters, named POW handiwork, diaries, what have you) sit in private collections. Continually scouring all the (online) auctions for missing information is a massive task and, off-course, the items that are kept in collections are on the whole inaccessible to museum staff. By mobilising external parties such as members of this site and other collectors to help uncover missing parts of the puzzle (and suggest correction for double listings, names,, dates etc.), the Museum and this website, would be able to keep improving the quality of their databases with information from non-public sources and/or without continuous on-line research. This is in the interest of all concerned. The purpose of this thread is thus simply to establish the best manner in which new information could be contributed to the databases by external parties in a simple and perhaps standardised form.

I think it is wonderful that you are willing to help with information. There are a total of 31 646 names recorded in the British Registers for prisoners of war and this makes a large database. Not all of the information in the registers was up to date but when we received evidence as you mentioned, we added the information. However, the information on the current database on the museum website is already a few years old. However, I have been updating the database a lot over the past 10 years and it is available on computer at the museum. You are welcome to contact Johan van Zyl at the museum. His email is [email protected]