The Demographic Database — History of Technical and Methodological Achievements

Author(s)

  • Pär Vikström Centre for Demographic and Aging Research (CEDAR), Umeå University
  • Maria Larsson Centre for Demographic and Aging Research (CEDAR), Umeå University
  • Elisabeth Engberg Centre for Demographic and Aging Research (CEDAR), Umeå University
  • Sören Edvinsson Centre for Demographic and Aging Research (CEDAR), Umeå University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51964/hlcs12163

Keywords:

Database, Linkage, RDBMS, Digitization, Church registers

Abstract

The Demographic Data Base (DDB) at the Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research (CEDAR) at Umeå University has since the 1970s been building longitudinal population databases and disseminating data for research. The databases were built to serve as national research infrastructures, useful for addressing an indefinite number of research questions within a broad range of scientific fields, and open to all academic researchers who wanted to use the data. A countless number of customized datasets have been prepared and distributed to researchers in Sweden and abroad and to date, the research has resulted in more than a thousand published scientific reports, books, and articles within a broad range of academic fields. This article will focus on the development of techniques and methods used to store and structure the data at DDB from the beginning in 1973 until today. This includes digitization methods, database design and methods for linkage. The different systems developed for implementing these methods are also described and to some extent, the hardware used.

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Published

2023-03-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Vikström, P., Larsson, M., Engberg, E., & Edvinsson, S. (2023). The Demographic Database — History of Technical and Methodological Achievements. Historical Life Course Studies, 13, 89-102. https://doi.org/10.51964/hlcs12163