Data Model – Concepts Guide

This page explains, in simple language, how information is organized in our research system. It is written for club members and contributors and requires no technical knowledge. The goal is only to understand how we describe our history in a clear and structured way.

Why a structure?

During research we collect many things: photographs, letters, reports, names of people, buildings, cities, and events. Without structure information gets lost, files are duplicated, and searching becomes difficult. The system simply helps us name things consistently, connect related information, and keep sources organized. It does not change how we work; it only makes our work clearer.

The basic idea

We separate different kinds of things. For example, the building itself, the people involved, the city, and the photos or documents are treated differently. This avoids confusion and keeps responsibilities clear.

Main concepts

HeritageObject – what we study. The main subject of research: a sanatorium, building, room, hospital, railway line, tram network, or any historical site or infrastructure. If something existed in history and we want to describe it, it is probably a HeritageObject.

Person – who was involved. A historical individual such as a doctor, sister, teacher, architect, or patient.

Organization – which group acted. A collective body such as a congregation, company, foundation, or government institution.

Place – where things happen. A location such as a city, region, country, or site. Places describe location only. Many photos, maps, and documents may belong to the same place.

DigitalAsset – our sources. A document or image that provides evidence: photographs, scans of letters, postcards, newspaper articles, PDFs, plans, or drawings. Each source receives its own page and description.

File – storage only. The physical JPG or PDF. Files only store data; they receive meaning through the DigitalAsset. In short: File = storage, DigitalAsset = meaning.

ResearchChapter – telling the story. Sections that structure interpretation, such as Early years, War period, or Reconstruction. Chapters help organize the narrative but are not historical objects themselves.

Keywords – helping search. Simple tags that make items easier to find.

How things connect

HeritageObjects are documented by DigitalAssets. Persons and Organizations are linked to HeritageObjects. Places tell us where things are located. Chapters organize the story. Files store the actual data. Each concept has one clear role, which keeps the system simple and understandable.

Things inside things

Some items contain smaller parts of the same kind: a building contains rooms, a city contains neighborhoods, a chapter contains subchapters. This natural hierarchy helps describe complex structures. (See also: Research:Recursive Structures Explained.)

Numbering and file names

DigitalAssets receive automatic identifiers such as CH03-ROM-0007. Contributors do not invent these numbers. Files simply use the same name as their DigitalAsset. This guarantees uniqueness and keeps everything easy to find. (See also: Research:Numbering and File Naming.)

What contributors need to remember

Describe things clearly, choose the correct type (object, person, place, or source), and upload files using the suggested name. The system handles the rest.

Summary

We separate what we study, who was involved, where it happened, which sources document it, and how we tell the story. This keeps our history organized, searchable, and easier to understand.

Status

Conceptual guide for contributors.