Historic Image Database Development Project

A generous grant from the Dolores Furtado Martin Foundation financed the purchase of cataloguing software and the digitization of nearly 800 negatives. This laid the groundwork for the development of a computerized database of historic images. This database now contains catalog records which provide pertinent data about each negative, and offers increased visual access to images by means of electronic files.

Father Bruno Bens, SS.CC., with parishioners at Saint Bernard Church, Honokahua, Maui.

Photographic images are important in documenting the priests and lay brothers of the Sacred Hearts Congregation, the people they served, and the churches and communities in which they ministered. Having digital files of these images not only facilitates visual access, but also decreases the risk to original negatives from constant handling. It expedites delivery of images to individuals, parishes, commercial entities, and other non-profit organizations. Images from the Sacred Hearts collection have appeared in museum exhibits, newspaper articles, academic journals, commemorative booklets, brochures, and other publications. Although this project focused primarily on Hawaiʻi images, negatives from other areas of the province will be digitized, catalogued, and entered into the database when more resources become available.

Maria Lanakila Chuch, Lahaina, Maui

The Dolores Furtado Martin Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Honolulu. It regularly supports museum and archives projects in Hawaiʻi that preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian history, culture, and language. This database will serve as a valuable tool for students, scholars, and family genealogists.