Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) for Historical Documents: Applying HTRflow, Exploring New Possibilities, and Addressing Remaining Challenges

Join us for a two-day event dedicated to exploring the possibilities and challenges of Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) in the analysis of complex historical documents.

This event, led by Riksarkivet data scientists, focuses on addressing these complexities and expanding the practical applications of HTR. During the workshops, participants will work with Google Colab notebooks built around Riksarkivet’s Python package, HTRflow, allowing them to follow along during demonstrations and experiment independently.

The event will also showcase Riksarkivet’s ongoing HTR initiatives, featuring examples ranging from simple handwritten running text to more complex document layouts.

Event programme:

April 21, Morning (9:00-11:30 CET)
Presentation and Discussion: An introduction to HTR in historical research, with a focus on methodological challenges and opportunities.

April 21, Afternoon (13:30-16:00 CET)
Workshop I: Hands-on work with HTRflow using guided exercises.

April 22, Morning (9:00-11:30 CET)
Workshop II: Advanced workshop session exploring more complex cases and tasks.

This is event is hosted with support through the Machine Learning for Difficult Digitizations (MaLDD): Old Maps and Beyond project, funded the LNU’s Faculty of Arts & Humanities’s Sara Lisa Initiative. This is also a Huminfra event; Huminfra is Sweden’s national infrastructure supporting digital and experimental research in the humanities, of which both LNU and Riksarkivert are members. Lastly, this event is provided through the Centre for Digital Humanities at LNU.

The event will be held in English.