WILLEMSTAD – The National Archives of Curaçao has launched an ambitious project to digitize more than 2.6 million pages of historical documents, marking a significant step toward preserving the island’s colonial history and making valuable archival materials accessible to the public.
The large-scale initiative aims to transform historical books, records, articles, and other documents into digital formats that can be accessed through the National Archives’ official website. The documents will eventually become available through a dedicated electronic repository, known as an e-depot.
According to the National Archives, the scanning process has already begun, with locally recruited personnel operating advanced equipment specifically acquired for the project.
Four modern scanners have recently arrived on the island from abroad and are being used to process the extensive collection. The project is being coordinated by Richard Beumer of Karmac, who was responsible for recruiting and contracting four local scanning operators to carry out the daily digitization activities.
An important component of the initiative is ensuring that the digital records remain properly organized and traceable. Each scanned document will receive a reference code based on the International Standard Archival Description (ISAD), an internationally recognized framework for describing archival materials.
This system will allow researchers, historians, students, and members of the public to identify documents and trace their origins more easily.
Rather than waiting until the entire collection has been digitized, the National Archives plans to publish the documents in several phases. This approach will gradually expand public access to the historical collection as the scanning process progresses.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the preservation of Curaçao’s cultural heritage, particularly historical records that provide insight into the island’s colonial past and the development of its society.
By making these materials available online, the National Archives also aims to reduce geographical barriers for researchers and descendants of Curaçaoan families living abroad who wish to explore the island’s history.
The project represents one of the most extensive announced digitization efforts involving Curaçao’s historical archival collection and is expected to strengthen the institution’s role in safeguarding the island’s documentary heritage for future generations.