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Hakka genealogical migration analysis enhancement using big data on library services

Chen Chi Chang (Department of Culture Creativity and Digital Marketing, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan)

Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

Article publication date: 27 March 2018

Issue publication date: 4 June 2018

909

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the data connection, spatial distribution characteristics and trends in genealogical information. First, it implements a spatial-temporal visualization of the Hakka genealogical information system that makes these individual family pedigree charts appear as one seamless genealogy to family and researchers seeking connections and family history all over the world. Second, this study applies migration analysis by applying big data technologies to Hakka genealogies to investigate the migration patterns of the Hakka ethnic group in Taiwan between 1954 and 2014. This innovative library service enhances the Hakka genealogical migration analysis using big data.

Design/methodology/approach

The platform is designed for the exchange of genealogical data to be used in big data analysis. This study integrates big data and geographic information systems (GIS) to map the population distribution themes. The general procedure included collecting genealogical big data, geographic encoding, gathering the map information, GIS layer integration and migration map production.

Findings

The analytical results demonstrate that big data technology is highly appropriate for family migration history analysis, given the increasing volume, velocity and variety of genealogical data. The spatial-temporal visualization of the genealogical research platform can follow family history and migration paths, and dynamically generate roadmaps to simplify the cartographic steps.

Practical implications

Technology that combines big data and GIS is suitable for performing migration analysis based on genealogy. A web-based application for spatial-temporal genealogical information also demonstrates the contribution of innovative library services.

Social implications

Big data play a dominant role in library services, and in turn, provide an active library service. These findings indicate that big data technology can provide a suitable tool for improving library services.

Originality/value

Online genealogy and family trees are linked with large-volume, growing data sets that are complex and have multiple, autonomous sources. The migration analysis using big data has the potential to help genealogy researchers to construct minority ethnic history.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research was supported financially by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan under Grant No. MOST 103-2410-H-239-004-MY2.

Citation

Chang, C.C. (2018), "Hakka genealogical migration analysis enhancement using big data on library services", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 36 No. 3, pp. 426-442. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-08-2017-0172

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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