Mapping Space and Time
As described in Module 2, the Niagara District was severely impacted by the intense and dynamic violence that swept the region during the war. Mapping spatial and temporal data related to military action and civilian experiences in the same interface allows users to explore the complex interactions between the armies and the local inhabitants. This map was built using Neatline with the Simile Timeline plugin. The map includes four main elements that are mapped spatially and temporally:
- Claimant locations
- Major fortifications
- Major battles and skirmishes
- Areas controlled, occupied, or contested
Claimant locations were extracted from their claims for losses. In most cases, these are specific only to the township or village in which the claimant lived. Where possible, further research identified more specific locations, such as lots within the town of Newark or structures still existing today. Sources for this information include HeritagePIN, the Niagara Settlers site, and Niagara Properties on the Eve of War. Each claimant location has a pop-up with information about their losses, including the date and perpetrators (where possible). It also includes a link to the full claim and the item representing the claimant. The claimants appear on the timeline with as much specificity as possible, from a single date or month to a range of dates in which their primary losses occurred.
The locations of major fortifications were extracted from contemporary and modern maps. Each fortification is represented by a polygon showing its physical footprint. As a user adjusts the timeline, the color and description change to reflect which army controlled the fort at different times through the war. I compiled the dates of possession from various military histories. These graphics represent when and where both armies were positioned in relation to the civilian population.
The locations of major battles and skirmishes are represented by polygons indicating the area in which the engagements occurred. They appear on the timeline on the dates they occurred. I compiled the locations and dates from various military histories and maps. These representations allow users to see when and where the major engagements in Niagara occurred and how they correlate with inhabitants’ losses in space and time.
The areas of control, occupation, and contest are rough approximations based on the primary camps and fortifications of each army at different times during the war. The locations of picket lines, scout positions, forward positions, and temporary camps are not represented. The status of each area is indicated by color and in the information in the pop-up that appears when the record is clicked. These representations show the context in which inhabitants of Niagara lived at different times from 1812 to 1815. They also help users visualize the spatial and temporal correlation between occupied or contested spaces and losses incurred by inhabitants.