Acknowledgements

SPONSORS

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  National Endowment for the Humanities

  The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. Each year the NEH designates a portion of its grants as "We the People" projects -- a special recognition by the NEH for model projects that advance the study, teaching, and understanding of American history and culture. In addition to its financial support, the NEH has honored the Expanded Online Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database project by designating it a "We the People" project.
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  W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research

  Through fellowships to scholars, sponsorship of a range of cultural and educational events and projects, and affiliation with other outreach programs, the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research advances study and understanding of the African diasporic experience. The Institute sponsored the development of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade database (published as a CD-ROM in 1999 by Cambridge University Press), and has contributed funding for the dataset of the Voyages database.
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  Emory University

  Emory University is internationally recognized as an inquiry-driven, ethically engaged, and diverse community, whose members work collaboratively for positive transformation in the world through courageous leadership in teaching, research, scholarship, health care, and social action. Emory University Libraries have played a leadership role in building a national digital library network, supporting innovative technology initiatives, and developing premier research collections and instructional programs that make the library a destination for students and scholars.

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

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  Emory University Libraries

  Since 2001 the Emory University Libraries has distinguished itself as a leader in digital information technology, with digital innovations ranging from tools and resources for interdisciplinary digital scholarship to networks and processes for archiving and preserving digital cultural heritage materials. Its Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library (MARBL) possesses a strong collection of materials relating to African American history and culture and Southern History. The expanded online trans-Atlantic slave trade database will be stored at Emory University’s Robert W. Woodruff Library, under the direction of co-PI Martin Halbert, with additional copies replicated at partner institutions, under the direction of members of the Steering Committee.
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  The Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation (WISE) at The University of Hull

  The University of Hull addresses the ongoing concerns of slavery and social justice through the work of the Wilberforce Institute. This Institute traces connections between slavery and contemporary human rights issues through three main themes of research: the past in the present, movement and identity, and boundaries of freedom and coercion. A digital copy of the expanded online database will be stored at The University of Hull, under the direction of Steering Committee member David Richardson.
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  The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples at York University

  The Tubman Institute at York University researches the forced and voluntary movement of African peoples around the world, as part of its mission to promote a greater understanding of the history of slavery and its legacy. A digital copy of the expanded online database will be stored at York University, under the direction of Advisory Board member Paul Lovejoy.
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  Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

  The largest federal university in Brazil, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro boasts an international reputation for its work in slavery and slave trade research. It hosts the largest concentration of slave-trade specialists in Brazil, as well as a journal that has become a major Portuguese language outlet for research on slavery and the slave trade in the Atlantic world. A digital copy of the Voyages Database will be stored at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, under the direction of Steering Committee member Manolo Florentino.
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  Victoria University of Wellington

  Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, founded in 1897, enjoys an international reputation for humanities research. It is home to the Treaty of Waitangi Research Unit (TOWRU) at the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies, which contributes to the resolution of Maori claims under the Treaty of Waitangi (1840), to equitable and harmonious ethnic relationships within Aotearoa/New Zealand, and to international comparative scholarship on the historical (especially coercive) relationships between states and indigenous peoples. The Victoria University Library holds the largest collection of slave-trade materials in Australasia. A digital copy of the Voyages Database will be stored at Victoria University of Wellington, under the direction of Steering Committee member Stephen D. Behrendt.
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  Cambridge University Press

  Cambridge University Press of New York, the publishers of the 1999 CD-ROM, The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: A Database on CD-ROM, provided the Voyages project with full access to the programming code and allowed us to draw on sections of the Introduction that appeared in this original publication.
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  Yale University Press

  By publishing serious works that contribute to a global understanding of human affairs, Yale University Press aids in the discovery and dissemination of light and truth, lux et veritas, which is a central purpose of Yale University. The publications of the Press are books and other materials that further scholarly investigation, advance interdisciplinary inquiry, stimulate public debate, educate both within and outside the classroom, and enhance cultural life.
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  The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

  The Gilder Lehrman Institute promotes and sponsors events, projects, and publications that celebrate and teach American history. Through its online site educators, researchers, and the general public may discover a range of primary and secondary materials, lectures and workshops, and a host of opportunities for re-discovering America's past.
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  Mapping Specialists

  Established in 1984, Mapping Specialists, Ltd. has gained an industry-wide reputation as a leader in accuracy, quality, and service by offering a broad range of graphic services. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, a highly regarded center of cartographic resources, it draws on a well-educated, skilled workforce and extensive local research facilities to produce cartographic resources.

SPECIAL THANKS

Many people contributed to the successful completion of this project – enough that we fear in our attempts to acknowledge them, we may only call attention to having forgotten someone and their worthy assistance in our efforts. With apologies for any regrettable omissions and our sincerest thanks to everyone, named or anonymous, who graciously gave their time and expertise, we would like to especially acknowledge the following individuals.

Many individuals at Emory University’s Robert W. Woodruff Library took time outside of their already busy schedules and routine work in order to answer our questions, assist with various project tasks, and generally support the life of the project. Rob Riley’s early advice on and examples of database systems sparked ideas for our own database. Naomi Nelson and Teresa Burk of MARBL (Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library) helped locate and prepare rare materials for digitizing as well as for various presentations on the project. Anne Frellsen, of the Preservation Office at Emory University Libraries, assisted also with digitizing efforts and met with members of our team to discuss best practices for photographing and digitizing historical artifacts. Lisa Macklin’s advice on copyright helped guide the collection of images for the site. At the insistence of Lea McLees, the library’s Director of Communications, we documented our work on the project – a task greatly aided by Francine Thurston, Matt Miller, and Sarah Toton, who all gave generously of their time and abilities in photography, videography, and video editing, respectively. Jim Kruse, Shannon O’Daniel, and other members of both Emory’s Center for Interactive Teaching (ECIT) and University Technology Services (UTS) regularly and graciously gave their time, tools and resources, and expertise to help ensure that all team members – both on site and off – could fully participate in project meetings. Finally, Ginger Cain’s enthusiasm and energy for sharing information about the project continues to put us in touch with new people interested in the project and new possibilities for continuing this work.