The OldMapsOnline Georeferencer is a powerful online tool that lets users assign geographic coordinates to scanned historical maps. This georeferencing process adds spatial metadata, making maps searchable by location – a huge benefit for researchers, students, and the public.

To ensure the accuracy of georeferencing and metadata, a review process is used. Below is a step-by-step guide for administrators and reviewers.

🔧 Step 1: Assign a reviewer

Only users with the “Reviewer” role can access the review dashboard.

To assign a reviewer:

• Log in at georeferencer.com using your administrator email.
• Go to your institution's Georeferencer domain (e.g., demo.georeferencer.com).
• Open the menu (☰) and select Personnel.
• Enter the email address of the reviewer.
• Choose the position "Reviewer" and click Add Person.

✅ The person now has reviewer access.

📍 Step 2: Open the review dashboard

Once assigned, the reviewer will see a "Review" option in the main menu (☰).
Clicking it opens the Reviewer Dashboard, where they can:

• Review random maps or select specific collections
• View top reviewers and progress statistics

🗺️ Step 3: Review a map

When a map is selected for review, it opens in the standard side-by-side Georeferencer view.

The reviewer should:

• Check the accuracy of control points
• Adjust points if needed
• Use overlays and coordinate tools
• Verify or change the clip control area

🔁 Step 4: Choose a transformation method

Each map has a default transformation method used when exporting as GeoTIFF or to map services (WMTS).
To check or change it:

• Go to Coordinates > Transformations > Default Transformation
• Choose the appropriate method based on map accuracy and shape
• Confirm the choice

✅ Step 5: Approve the map

Once all points are reviewed and the transformation is selected:

• Return to the side-by-side map view
• Click "Approve now"

The map is marked as reviewed, the metadata is saved, and the reviewer can move on to the next map.

🌍 Step 6: Import into OldMapsOnline search portal

After all maps are reviewed, you can request to publish them on
www.oldmapsonline.org, where they will be accessible to a global audience.

📩 For any inquiries, email us at [email protected]