Finding Aids as Open Data - Access Points to Data-Drive Stories of the Past

Explore the potential of archival finding aids as open data in this 41-minute conference talk from linux.conf.au. Discover how electronic index data, both officially released and "hacked," can unlock new data-driven stories from the past. Follow along as the speaker takes you on short data journeys, visualizing historical information like unemployment in 1866 Sydney and publican licenses during the NSW gold rush. Learn about the importance of open data in cultural heritage institutions and how it can inspire new questions about historical materials. Consider the implications of feeding this data to a Twitter bot and reflect on the broader impact of making archival information more accessible and interactive.