The World Historical Gazetteer (whgazetteer.org) will now require authentication via ORCiD (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) for all registered users. The use of ORCID will ensure accurate attribution, persistent researcher identity, interoperability, and scholarly credit, while also maintaining accessibility beyond institutional affiliations, within the linked open data ecosystem. Using ORCiD also streamlines account access by removing the need to manage passwords or depend on third-party login services. Users with existing ORCiD accounts can sign in seamlessly and securely. We’ve adopted ORCiD so that users can benefit from a more secure, flexible, and research-friendly system.
The use of ORCiD will also enable secure and controlled access to the WHG’s APIs, including two new complementary APIs for use with WHG data. The Entity API will allow users to retrieve full metadata, names, types, geometries, temporal bounds, authority info, and linked resources from among datasets, collections, and over 2.2 million places. The Reconciliation Service API will allow users to match historical geographical entities with the WHG data in both automated workflows and manual tools such as OpenRefine.
Our transition to ORCID authentication was made possible thanks to a collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Library System (ULS).
What This Means for Users
- Existing WHG users can link their WHG account with an ORCiD by using the Legacy WHG Login and Link ORCiD button on whgazetteer.org/accounts/login/.
- If you are a new user who already has an ORCiD, you can simply log in using your existing ORCid credentials.
- If you are a new user who does not have an ORCiD, you can create one during sign-in on whgazetteer.org/accounts/login/.
- Registration is NOT required to search WHG's indexes or to view datasets or collections. Registration is required only for dataset contribution, the creation of collections, or use of our APIs. With your consent, it would also allow us to let you know about important updates and new features.