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Department of History College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Gainesville Business History Database

Gainesville Business History Database

Learn the Data Entry Process

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Overview Before Entry Basic Info Industry Demographics Location Additional Sources
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Database Overview

The Gainesville Business History database is a comprehensive collection of Gainesville businesses from 1882 to present day, designed for scholars and public research.

Data Sources: City directories, newspapers, Chamber of Commerce documents, and internet sources
Login Required: Interns need login credentials to access the database. Contact Tomas for login issues.
1
Before Entering Data
⚠️ Always Search First! Before entering a new business, search the existing database to prevent duplicates.
Decade Rule: A business existing across multiple decades can be entered once per decade. If you find the business in the database but not in your source's decade, proceed with entry.
2
Basic Business Information
💡 Select the decade your source is from, not when the business opened
📅 The year of the source document
🏪 Follow the naming guidelines in the database
🎂 Leave blank if unknown
📊 For closed businesses only
3
Industry Classification
Industry Structure: Broad Industry is the umbrella term (required), while Industry 1-3 provide specific details.
Click to see example industries...
4
Owner Demographics
Note: Demographic information may not always be available. Leave blank if unknown.
5
Location Information
🏠 Include street number, name, and abbreviated type (St, Ave, Blvd). No need for "Gainesville, FL"
📍 Only for address system change in 1950. View conversion chart
📬 5-digit ZIP code only
Latitude: Auto-generated
Longitude: Auto-generated
🗺️ Click the button after entering address and postal code
6
Additional Information
📱 Add links to Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter
7
Source Documentation
Source accuracy is crucial! This helps researchers understand the reliability and origin of the information.
Pro Tip: When entering new data, check multiple sources to fill in as much information as possible. Cross-reference different years and publications for the most complete record.
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Final Reminders
Key Points to Remember:
  • Always search for duplicates before entering new data
  • One entry per business per decade
  • Fill in all available information from multiple sources
  • Leave fields blank if information is not available
  • Having a name and industry doesn't mean the person performed that job
  • Accurate source information is essential