About TinCity
Preserving the documentary heritage of Jos & Plateau
TinCity is a digital archive and research platform dedicated to preserving, documenting and making accessible historical records, heritage and documentary sources relating to Jos and Plateau State.
TinCity brings together and provides references to historical materials from a wide range of sources, including government publications, official records, commissions of inquiry, administrative reports, archival collections, institutional publications, maps, photographs, books, research works, newspapers, audio and audiovisual materials.
Particular attention is given to materials that document the historical development of Jos and Plateau, including administration, mining, communities, institutions, migration, economic development, social change, political history, cultural heritage and significant events.
The documentary record comes first. TinCity seeks to make original and authoritative historical sources easier to discover, examine and use for research.
Where available, each archived item is accompanied by information about its original source, issuing institution, author, date, publication, archive or collection. Government records and commission reports are identified as official documentary sources, while academic research, commentary and other secondary materials are identified according to their nature.
The archive may also provide links or references to the institutions, libraries, archives, repositories and organisations where the original material can be found. Where a document cannot legally be reproduced or downloaded, TinCity may provide its catalogue information, description, reference, citation or link to the legitimate source.
TinCity is intended to support students, researchers, historians, journalists, educators, institutions, communities and the general public seeking reliable documentary evidence for understanding the history and heritage of Jos and Plateau.
Building the archive from the documentary record.
- Government publications, official records and administrative documents.
- Reports of commissions of inquiry, panels and official investigations.
- University, institutional and organisational publications.
- Books, academic publications, research papers and historical studies.
- Historical maps, plans, surveys and geographical records.
- Historical photographs, images and visual collections.
- Newspapers, periodicals and other contemporary historical records.
- Audio, video, oral-history and other audiovisual materials.
The evidence comes first.
Preserve the evidence. Identify the source. Provide the context. Let the record be examined.
Historical events may be remembered and interpreted in different ways. TinCity therefore places emphasis on identifiable documentary sources that allow researchers and readers to examine historical claims against the available record.
The archive does not seek to manufacture historical narratives. Instead, it seeks to preserve and organise documentary evidence so that different sources, perspectives and interpretations can be studied within their historical context.
Preserving the record for future research.
- Identify the original source of archival materials wherever possible.
- Distinguish primary documentary records from secondary research and commentary.
- Provide references and links to archives, libraries, institutions and original sources.
- Respect copyright, ownership, access conditions and archival restrictions.
- Make difficult-to-find historical records easier to discover and research.
- Encourage academic, historical and independent research.
- Preserve relevant historical perspectives and supporting documentation.
- Correct catalogue or factual errors when reliable documentary evidence is provided.
TinCity does not claim ownership of every material referenced or presented on the platform. Government records, archival documents, photographs, publications and other materials may remain the property or intellectual property of their respective governments, archives, libraries, institutions, authors, researchers or other rights holders.
Where appropriate, TinCity provides a reference, catalogue entry, citation or link to the original or legitimate source rather than reproducing restricted material.
The platform exists primarily to preserve, document, reference and facilitate access to historical knowledge.