21st century email 'Domesday Book' compiled

4 May 2007

A "21st century Domesday Book" - a snapshot of the United Kingdom seen through emails - is being compiled by the British Library.

The library is asking everyone in the UK to forward an email from their inbox or sent mail box representing their life or interests.

Alternatively, people can submit a specially-composed message.

Each eligible email received in May will be recorded and used to create the library's E-Mail Britain archive.

The British Library has joined forces with computer giant Microsoft in its attempt to collect millions of emails.

John Tuck, British collections head at the library, said: "E-mail Britain will allow us to archive a vast snapshot of our present-day email communications and will be of great value for future researchers.

"Digital archiving of email has never been attempted before on this scale and we're very excited to be capturing such a rich slice of contemporary life."

The email address for those who wish to take part is email@emailbritain.co.uk.

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