People's history will go online

This shot of a group of girl guides could go on the site

An online collection of Welsh history bringing together photographs, documents and films is being set up.

The People's Collection aims to include the experiences of Welsh people over the ages.

The continually-evolving collection will sit on the web alongside the offerings from museums and libraries.

The aim of the assembly government scheme is to save artefacts for future generations and give tourists a taste of what Wales has to offer.

Visitors to the site will be able to explore the history of Wales, creating their own personalised online collections and joining in with discussions and debate.

The project will also look to use interactive technology to encourage people to search through its archive.

The web collection will link to sites which provide insight into the Welsh settlements in Patagonia.

Community groups and individuals will also be able to contribute content, capturing and interpreting important memories and images.

I want the People's Collection to be the means to stimulate interest in Welsh life and history by telling the human story of Wales' people Rhodri Glyn Thomas , Minister for Heritage

There is a commitment in the assembly government's One Wales document to establish an all-Wales collection of people's history, backed by a permanent curatorial staff with responsibility for the promotion and development of the collection.

The Minister for Heritage Rhodri Glyn Thomas said the web collection would help widen understanding of Wales' heritage and put the country at the forefront of technological developments for access to heritage and culture.

"The People's Collection will use advanced, cutting edge technology to enable everyone to create their own history collections, drawing on content from existing digital collections in our museums, archives and libraries," he said.

"It will provide tools for local communities, schools, and societies to develop their own historical websites, contributing to the national digital resource.

"I want the People's Collection to be the means to stimulate interest in Welsh life and history by telling the human story of Wales' people."

Initial content will include the history of sport incorporating the Welsh Sporting Hall of Fame Collection, and the important account of immigration and emigration in Welsh history.

The online collection will be launched at the end of 2009.