lifewhere

Lifewhere is a term used to describe the practice or project of mapping and documenting the places that have meaning in a person’s life. It functions as a conceptual tool as well as a potential software or database, and it can be applied to memoirs, family history, or personal geography. Rather than a fixed product, lifewhere encompasses methods for associating memories with locations and for presenting those connections in a spatial narrative.

Typical implementations include a map-based interface that links life events to coordinates, a timeline of places, and narrative text, photographs, or documents attached to each location. Users may contribute data themselves or consult curated collections. Privacy controls, consent, and the ability to edit or remove entries are common design considerations, given the personal nature of the material.

Origin and usage: the idea emerges from intersections of memory studies, place studies, and lifelogging. It is not standardized and appears in academic discussions, digital humanities projects, and personal storytelling endeavors under various names. Lifewhere projects may emphasize geographic context, mobility, or community memory, depending on goals and audiences.

Criticism and challenges include concerns about accuracy, subjectivity, and the potential for privacy invasion. The quality of geotag data, the representativeness of selected places, and the risk of re-tracing sensitive histories are discussed by practitioners and ethicists. Related concepts include personal geography, lifelogging, and place-based narrative.