Skip to main content

Using the Map View

The Map View shows your files plotted on an interactive map, based on the locations mentioned in or associated with each file.

Switching to Map view​

In the Search screen, click the Map tab (next to the List tab) to switch to the map.

note

The map only shows files that have location data. If a file doesn't mention or contain any geographic information, it won't appear on the map.

How location data is added​

The AI automatically extracts place names from:

  • Document text (e.g. "I am writing from Birmingham…")
  • Image metadata (if the image has GPS coordinates embedded)
  • File metadata you've manually entered

These place names are geocoded (converted to map coordinates) automatically.

  • Zoom in/out — use the scroll wheel, pinch gesture, or the +/− buttons
  • Pan — click and drag to move the map
  • Click a pin — opens a popup showing the file(s) associated with that location
  • Click a file in the popup — opens the full file view

Where multiple files share the same location, they're shown as a cluster (a circle with a number). Click the cluster to zoom in and see individual pins.

Filtering on the map​

The same filters from the Search screen apply on the map. Use the filter panel on the left to narrow down which files are shown:

  • Date range
  • Document type
  • Accession
  • Fonds/Series

Useful for​

  • Tracing movements — following a person's journey through their correspondence
  • Regional collections — seeing the geographic spread of a local archive
  • Military history — mapping battles, campaigns, or unit movements
  • Family history — seeing where family members lived and moved over time