Our Historical Methodology
The Hellships Digital Archive is committed to preserving the memory of those that perished on the Hellships with historical integrity, accuracy, and dignity.
This page outlines the standards and methods used in researching, writing, and publishing tribute pages within the archive.
Primary Historical Sources
Where available, biographical and service details are drawn from verified historical records, including:
Casualty databases and Roll of Honour records
National Archives service files
Official nominal rolls
Unit war diaries and operational histories
Recognized academic publications
Information is cross-referenced when possible to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Verification Standards
Before publication, tribute pages are reviewed to confirm:
Correct spelling of names
Accurate rank and unit designation
Consistent dates of birth and age
Proper identification of civilian internees
Alignment with recognized casualty lists
Where discrepancies exist between sources, the most authoritative record available is used. In cases of uncertainty, information may be omitted rather than assumed.
The archive prioritizes accuracy over completeness.
Uniform Narrative Structure
To ensure consistency across more than 2,000 individual pages, each tribute follows a structured format that includes:
Basic service details
Context of service and capture at Rabaul
Verified account of embarkation and loss aboard the Montevideo Maru
Optional family remembrance section
Archival citations
This uniform approach ensures equal dignity for all individuals, regardless of rank, status, or available documentation.
Use of Standardized Language
Certain historical descriptions — particularly regarding the sinking of the vessel — are presented in standardized form to maintain clarity and neutrality.
Speculative or graphic descriptions are avoided.
The archive does not assign blame or engage in political interpretation. Its purpose is remembrance and documentation.
Family Contributions
Family-submitted photographs and personal reflections are incorporated with permission and clearly identified as such.
These contributions are treated as personal testimony rather than primary historical documentation. Where family accounts contain historical details not reflected in official records, such content may be included as remembrance but not as verified fact.
Submissions are reviewed for tone and historical sensitivity before publication.
Editorial Review Process
All tribute pages undergo a multi-step review process prior to publication:
Draft preparation
Editorial review for tone and structure
Historical review where required
Final approval under Archive oversight
No tribute page is published without review.
Archival Preservation
The Hellships Digital Archive is maintained under a formal governance framework established by the Hellships Memorial Foundation.
To ensure long-term preservation, the archive is supported by:
Regular digital backups
Secure data storage
Periodic review of content accuracy
Ongoing maintenance oversight
The intention is permanence.
Scope and Limitations
The archive is a memorial and historical record focused specifically on those lost aboard the Hellships.
It does not attempt to serve as a comprehensive history of the Pacific War or of all Allied prisoners of war. Its scope is deliberately defined to maintain clarity and depth within its focus area.
Commitment to Integrity
The men commemorated in this archive were individuals — soldiers and civilians — whose lives were shaped by war and whose memory deserves careful stewardship.
The Hellships Memorial Foundation is committed to maintaining this archive with historical discipline, editorial consistency, and enduring respect.
Their names endure.
Their history is preserved.
Lest we forget.
Corrections & Amendments Policy
The Hellsihps Digital Archive is committed to historical accuracy, transparency, and respectful stewardship of the memory of those lost on the many Hellships
Despite careful research and review, errors or omissions may occasionally occur. This policy outlines how corrections and amendments are handled.
Commitment to Accuracy
The archive relies on recognized historical records, including official casualty lists, archival documents, and verified institutional sources.
If credible evidence demonstrates that published information is incomplete or inaccurate, the archive will take appropriate steps to review and correct the record.
Accuracy is prioritized over speed.
Requesting a Correction
Family members, researchers, or members of the public who believe a tribute page contains an error may submit a correction request.
Requests should include:
The name of the individual concerned
A description of the correction
Supporting documentation where available
Contact information for follow-up
Correction requests may be submitted via director@hellshipsmemorial.org or through the archive contact form.
Review Process
Upon receiving a correction request:
The information is logged and acknowledged.
The Archive Director reviews the claim.
If necessary, the matter is referred to the Historical Advisor.
Primary sources are consulted.
A determination is made based on available evidence.
If the correction is substantiated, the page will be amended accordingly.
Transparency of Amendments
When a factual correction is made, the archive may include a discreet note such as:
“This page was updated on [date] to reflect revised archival information.”
Minor typographical or formatting corrections may be made without notation.
Family Testimony and Historical Records
The archive distinguishes between:
Verified historical data
Family-submitted personal reflections
Family narratives are preserved respectfully as personal remembrance. However, when family accounts conflict with verified archival records, the archive will maintain the historical record while acknowledging the family perspective where appropriate.
The goal is respect without compromising accuracy.
Removal Requests
In rare circumstances, a family may request the removal of a photograph or personal message they previously submitted.
Such requests will be honored promptly.
The archival record of the individual’s name and basic historical information will normally remain, as it reflects a publicly documented historical fact.
Scope of Corrections
The archive does not engage in political reinterpretation of wartime events. Amendments are limited to factual corrections relating to:
Identity
Rank
Unit
Dates
Biographical details
Source attribution
Ongoing Review
The Archive Oversight Committee conducts periodic reviews of published materials to ensure continued compliance with historical and editorial standards.
Corrections are viewed not as failures, but as part of responsible archival stewardship.
Contact
To submit a correction request or inquire about published content, please contact:
director@hellshipsmemorial.org
The Hellships Digital Archive exists to preserve memory with dignity and care.
Where correction is warranted, it will be made thoughtfully and transparently.
Their names endure.
Their history is preserved.
Lest we forget.
Digital Preservation Policy
The Hellships Digital Archive is intended to serve as a permanent historical record honoring the Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees lost on the Hellships.
This Digital Preservation Policy outlines the measures taken to ensure the archive’s long-term accessibility, integrity, and security.
Commitment to Permanence
The Hellships Memorial Foundation recognizes that digital records are vulnerable to technological change, hosting instability, and organizational transitions.
The Foundation is committed to preserving the Hellships Digital Archive as a durable and accessible resource for future generations.
Data Redundancy and Backup
To safeguard against data loss, the archive is protected through:
Regular full-site backups
Secure cloud-based storage redundancy
Periodic offline archive exports
Controlled administrative access
Backups are maintained on a scheduled basis and verified for integrity.
Archival Exports
At least once annually, the Foundation produces a structured archival export of the Digital Archive content, including:
Tribute page text
Family-submitted materials (where permission granted)
Metadata and indexing information
These exports are retained independently of the live website environment to ensure recoverability.
Platform Independence
The archive is maintained in a manner that allows for future migration between digital platforms if necessary.
Content is structured and stored in standardized formats to reduce dependency on any single hosting provider or content management system.
Should technological changes require relocation of the archive, its content and structure will be preserved.
Governance and Oversight
The Hellships Digital Archive operates under the oversight of the Hellships Memorial Foundation Archive Committee.
The Committee conducts a periodic review of:
Data integrity
Access controls
Preservation protocols
Technological sustainability
Digital preservation responsibilities are not vested in a single individual.
Access Continuity
In the event of:
Organizational leadership change
Hosting provider change
Website redesign
The Foundation will take reasonable measures to ensure that:
URLs are redirected appropriately
Archive structure remains intact
Public access is maintained
The archive is not considered a temporary project or campaign initiative.
Protection of Family Submissions
Family-submitted materials are:
Stored securely
Used only with documented permission
Preserved in accordance with consent agreements
Removal requests will be honored, but original archival backups may retain copies for internal recordkeeping purposes in accordance with governance policies.
Disaster Recovery Planning
In the event of significant technical disruption, the Foundation maintains the ability to:
Restore from backup
Rebuild the archive from structured export files
Reestablish public access within a reasonable timeframe
The goal is continuity, not temporary visibility.
Long-Term Vision
The Hellships Digital Archive is designed to complement physical memorials, including the Montevideo Maru Memorial at Lingayen Veterans Park.
While physical monuments endure in stone, the digital archive extends remembrance across borders and generations.
Digital preservation is therefore not merely technical — it is custodial.
Review and Updates
This Digital Preservation Policy is reviewed periodically by the Archive Oversight Committee and may be updated as technological standards evolve.
The Hellships Memorial Foundation affirms its commitment to ensuring that the memory preserved within this archive remains accessible, secure, and respected for generations to come.
Their names endure.
Their history is safeguarded.
Lest we forget.