> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://openscholarship.gitbook.io/chosn/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://openscholarship.gitbook.io/chosn/working-groups/use-case-connecting-historic-collections.-the-sherriff-diary-digitisation-project.md).

# Use Case: Connecting Historic Collections. The Sherriff Diary Digitisation Project

Use case developed by Courtney Kemnitz, Herbarium Digitiser at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh produced high-resolution digital surrogates of the diaries of plant collector Major George Sherriff and made it accessible to the wider public for use via RBGE’s archive catalogue, [AtoM](https://atom-2.rbge.org.uk/index.php/sherriff-diaries). Read more about The Major George Sherriff Diary Digitisation Project [here](https://blog.archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/2026/09/16/royal-botanic-garden-edinburgh-archives-the-major-george-sherriff-diary-digitisation-project/).

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Investment in digital repositories can enhance the visibility and reputation of an institution and its work. Over time, it can contribute directly to the democratisation of knowledge and improved user experience, while attracting future funding and research opportunities.
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## What the repository enabled

* Long-term digital preservation infrastructure supporting discovery, access, and reuse of over 1,600 pages of text across 10 volumes.
  * Global remote access, particularly for users in Bhutan and Tibet, the regions where the collecting took place,
  * Discovery and use by researchers from a variety of disciplines, not just science.
* Use of AI/computer vision tools to produce transcriptions of the diaries accurately and quickly.
  * Transcriptions have allowed for the extraction various data (e.g. localities, collection numbers, names) which can be used for various purposes such as improving searchability in the archives catalogue (AtoM).
* Reduced physical handling, improving the preservation of the material.

## Research value

* Enables links to be identified between diary entries and other collections and archival materials within RBGE and other institutions, including herbarium specimens, photographs, correspondence and incoming plant registers. Diary entries provide additional context and information about the collection of herbarium specimens.
* The Ludlow-Sherriff Collection represents a unique combination of scientific, historical, geographical, and visual documentation, supporting research in areas such as Himalayan and alpine plants, horticulture, and the history of exploration and empire.
* Creates opportunity to discover and acknowledge the contributions of native and female collectors who have historically been underrepresented.

## Institutional value

* Supports strategic priorities:
  * Enriching and empowering individuals and communities through learning and engagement with plants and fungi,
  * Conserving and developing botanical collections as a global resource,
  * Enhancing the National Botanical Collection held at RBGE as a scientific and cultural heritage resource and supporting the wider development of botanical collections.
* Increases research visibility.
* Creates opportunities for partnerships and collaboration with organisations holding related collections (e.g. the British Library holds the diaries of George Sherriff’s collecting partner, Frank Ludlow, while The Natural History Museum, London holds the top set of the herbarium specimens for the Ludlow-Sherriff Expeditions).
* Creates opportunities for further funding to digitise of the rest of the Ludlow-Sherriff collection and related collections. This work has recently led to the funding of a related collection of Mr. John Herbert Hicks (MB, ChB, MCh, Orth, FRCS), who accompanied Ludlow & Sherriff in 1949.
* Extends the value of existing collections without additional acquisition costs.
* Strengthens RGBE’s role as a trusted data/knowledge provider.

## Why this matters?

* Encourages reuse of collections through downloads, citations, collaborations.
* Increases the value of the botanical specimens by connecting them with additional contextual information.
* Creates long-term or future research potential and encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration.
* Enables future research projects.
* Digitisation and repository infrastructure transform static collections into reusable research assets.
* Contributes to the democratisation of knowledge.