By Sydney Pearce 

Rural Ontario has a rich history that has been documented through diaries dating between 1800 and 1960. History professor Catharine Wilson [1] has brought together the writing of more than 200 diarists in the Rural Diary Archive [2]. Volunteers across North America have been transcribing these works online, making them accessible and searchable. As they transcribe, they learn to read old handwritten script, a critical skill for archival and museum work.  

“Besides honouring those who came before us, the project creates a valuable digital repository of first-hand accounts to inspire new research, and invites the public to engage and enjoy the past in new and different ways,” says Wilson.