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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: the happy granny on Thursday 31 March 05 14:40 BST (UK)
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I wonder how many people there are, like me.who have been helped tremendously by On-line Parish Clerks?
One I gave a small piece of information to and she took me back several generations by looking at census and old church records......all unsolicited!
They should all take a bouquet!!
Sue
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We tend to forget about the Parish Clerk. They will have records going back many, many years on all sorts of matters - we should make more use of them.
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What is the best means of making use of them? I have not even heard of a Parish Clerk !
But every little helps!
Wendi
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Hi Wendi,
for you and everybody else who doesn't know this excellent resource,
here is a description which appears on almost every Online Parish Clerk (OPC) site:
An Online Parish Clerk (OPC) researches all the available historical data they can find on a parish, records are transcribed, and in order to promote further private research, are made FREELY available to any researcher. This will include census, parish transcripts, bishop's transcripts and churchwardens accounts, overseers accounts, land tax records, postal directory extracts, church & village histories, etc. An OPC is a volunteer and should not be confused with the civil Parish Clerk appointed by a Parish Council.
Some OPC sites have on-line databases, which you can search,
others tend to concentrate on offering look-ups.
Coincidently, just yesterday, I entered a description of the Dorset OPC site on RootsChat at
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,46534.0.html
For other sites, enter OPC in the RootsChat search engine,
you will also find RootsChatters opinions of these sites.
Offhand I can think of Dorset, Cornwall, Devon, Lancashire, Kent, Wiltshire and Sussex,
who are part of the OPC Project.
Several RootsChatters are OPCs or are actively engaged in this project.
Hope this gives an idea of the possibilities,
Bob
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Fantastic!
No Bob I mean the information, not the speed of your responce ;)
I really continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of people interested in this kind of work!...I never knew...Look out Monmouth here I come......
:)Wendi
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For all those interested, here is a list of OPC sites:
Cornwall: http://west-penwith.org.uk/opc.htm:
Devon: http://www http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/genuki/DEV/OPCproject.html
Dorset: http://www.opcdorset.com/
Kent: http://www.kent-opc.org.uk/
Kent: http://www.kent-opc.org/
Lancashire: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lancsopc/Index_OPC%20Main.htm
Lancashire has moved, it's now http://www.pioneerinfo.com/LAN-OPC/
Lancashire has moved again, it's now http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/
Sussex: http://www.sussex-opc.org/
Wiltshire: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.brown6666/wiltsopc/about.htm
Wiltshire: http://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/ (updated: 26.02.2009)
On the Cornwall OPC site:
"There are signs of similar schemes being started in Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Hampshire, Surrey and North and West Ridings of Yorkshire but I can't find any county coordinators or web sites."
A quick Google search for Derbyshire ("Derbyshire opc online parish") found
Stapenhill, Derbyshire: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb(.)com/~blanchec/StapOPC.htm
Try a Google search "[your county] opc online parish" to see if you can find any more !
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I was also helped by a Dorset Online Parish Clerk last year, the information came back so quickly I was amazed. The lady in question was so helpful and found all the people I was looking for in no time at all. She was an extremely nice person and very friendly. Highly recommended for a first rate service.
Su
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Su
It was probably the same Dorset OPC that helped me too!!
Sue
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Bob, the link to the Wiltshire doesn't seem to work? ???
Newbie
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Bob can't seem to get the link to Lancashire OPC to work either.
Newbie ???
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Sorry Newbie, my fault :-[
I've modified the post and Wiltshire and Lancashire now work,
(but Lancashire re-directs you to a new address anyway, so I have included the new address too !)
Again, sorry, hope they help, now they can be reached !
Bob
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I've just had another look at the UKBMD page
http://www.ukbmd.co.uk/
on the OPC page there are several new sites:
Essex: http://essex-opc.org.uk/
Hampshire : http://www.knightroots.co.uk/
Leicestershire: http://www.rootsweb.com/~engleiopc/
Somerset: http://wsom-opc.org.uk/
As with all OPC sites, the amount of transcripted data will vary.
All OPC sites are on-going, which is code for:
1) keep looking at regular intervals
2) volunteers for transcribing are always welcome.
Bob
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According to the Dorset OPC page: http://www.opcdorset.com/
there are now also OPC sites or transcription projects for
Monmouth: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monfamilies/monmouthshire-opc.htm
and Essex: http://essex-opc.org.uk/
Not mentioned on the Dorset OPC site is another transcription project which, although not officially an OPC site, has some similarities:
The Norfolk Transcription Archive has been dormant for a while,
but has now re-opened ("New website launched - Feb 9, 2009")
http://www.doun.org/transcriptions/index.php
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I love the Lancashire site, use it a lot.
I just wish Cheshire had more online.
Gaille
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Thanks for this thread. I didn't know about the opc and I've just spent a lot of time looking at Lancashire and found out so much information :D It really is a valuable resource
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Hi all
Sue - Thanks so much for your post it's just what I needed :) As coordinator of the Dorset OPC I'm in a bit of a pickle at the moment, I've not been able to update properly for ages as I was ill along with some family things plus 3 kids it's been a struggle to find the time, now our whole email system has ground to a halt, knowing so many people use and appreciate it makes it all worth while :D
Bob, thanks for doing the write up for the OPC... going to run off and check my links for the other ones in a moment lol!
Jen
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Jen, I use the Dorset OPC site a lot. I find it absolutely invaluable, and it put me on the right track when I was in danger of going down the wrong line with one of my ancestors. So yes, you and your fellow volunteers are definitely appreciated! :)
Linda
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Bob?
I've checked the links for the Wiltshire one, neither the Tiscali or the NTL ones are working?
I know this one was started a year or two ago then nobody could contact the coordinator but last time I looked someone else had taken it over!?
Jen
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Thanks Linda ;D
I also have to say that the Dorset History Centre deserve some credit too. The LDS hold a lot of records that were copied from the History Centres films and they have been good enough to give us permission to borrow those from the LDS to transcribe and put online. Wiltshire Records Office also gave us permission to borrow and transcribe the films of the BT's.
Considering the Dorset History Centre was in a major funding crisis last year and what we do could have been deemed as major loss of revenue to them in the circumstances, they have been nothing but helpful and it's much appreciated.
Jen
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Hi all
Sue - Thanks so much for your post it's just what I needed :) As coordinator of the Dorset OPC I'm in a bit of a pickle at the moment, I've not been able to update properly for ages as I was ill along with some family things plus 3 kids it's been a struggle to find the time, now our whole email system has ground to a halt, knowing so many people use and appreciate it makes it all worth while :D
Bob, thanks for doing the write up for the OPC... going to run off and check my links for the other ones in a moment lol!
Jen
Jen as a regular user of the online parish clerks sites let me tell you how much I appreciate all the hard work put in by the volunteers.
I can never get to anywhere in office hours to research unless I take holiday time (and my family seem to think I should use that with them), plus I am disabled so getting out and about isnt easy, I have to work out if I CAN get to places ..........so anything I can do online is invaluable to me.
I have to rely a lot on asking for help and reciprocating with what I can help with, so being able to search the registers myself online is wonderful for me - makes me feel less reliant on the wonderful (and amazingly generous in some cases) help of strangers.
Gaille
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http://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/
Should work ok.
New site, but click the link to the old one, as there is more info on it for now.
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I'm glad the site has been helpful to you Gaille ;D
Julieann, thanks for that I couldn't find it last night, will go and sort the links out now.
Jen
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To all you wonderful on-line parish clerks
I think we should have an on-line parish clerk appreciation day :)
Sue
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I too have found this a great help - particularly Jennie Hudson of the Cambridgeshire Look Up service has looked up parish records foe me many times.
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To all you wonderful on-line parish clerks
I think we should have an on-line parish clerk appreciation day :)
Sue
I second that, I use the Sussex OPC a lot and there is stacks of information on the site and reguarly being added from what I can see. The Norfolk one is a recent and very useful boon to my research.
Kerry
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All OPC sites are on-going, which is code for:
1) keep looking at regular intervals
2) volunteers for transcribing are always welcome.
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This is worth remembering ....... especially the second point :)
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The Kent link (http://www.kent-opc.org.uk/) doesn't work, it should be http://www.kent-opc.org/
Well done all OPCs
:)
Betty
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Thanks Betty, I've corrected the original address :)
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If only I knew the Dorset OPC's address I would take her this in person !
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::) ::) Lydart read reply #15 ;D ;D ;) ;)
Kerry
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If only I knew the Dorset OPC's address I would take her this in person !
::) ::) Lydart read reply #15 ;D ;D ;) ;)
Kerry
I know ... that's why she needs some flowers of appreciation !
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My favourite OPC on the Cambridgeshire Lookup Exchange has an Aussie email address, so I would find it rather difficult to take her flowers. She has been a goldmine of help though.
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Update for the Dorset OPC. We have a new address, www.opcdorset.org. The old address is currently still working, but due to circumstances beyond my control may not be for much longer (end Feb 2010). Please bookmark the new address.
Jon
Dorset OPC Co-ordinator
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Done! Thanks very much for that, Jon.
Linda
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Dorset OPC is VERY good, and I have received much help from several of their clerks. However, until recently there was an OPC for Lincolnshire which has now sadly folded. I wonder what are the chances of anyone reopening the site?
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After all the help I have received on RC I felt I wanted to give something back so I have just volounteered to be an OPC.
I am up but not yet running but hopefully in the near future I will be able to assist someone who feels they are plodding in the dark.
Thanks for all your help RC :D
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Well done, Batty B. Referring to reply No.34 above it wouldn't be for Lincolnshire by any chance would it?
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Sorry, haven't been on line for a while so didn't manage to get back to you.
I am actually signed on to do Buckland St Mary Somerset but I have now got census details of 1861 to transcribe which covers quite a few other villages too. I've only just started but am available for lookups in that area should anyone want it.
Sandra
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I'm starting an OPC site for Nottinghamshire... still putting my info on at the moment but if anyone has any other Notts data they would like to share, please PM me or comment on this thread :)
Katie
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Hi Katie,
I am the OPC for a couple of parishes in Cornwall and also three parishes in Leicestershire. Some of my family were from Notts so would be interested in your plans for an OPC site for that county and could possibly take on a few parishes. What do you have in mind?
Gill
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Still in very early stages at mo, just putting my lot into a site for the moment to get a feel for how it might look - although my father grew up in Barnsley, and my mother in Purley/Yeovil, some of both my grandfather's ancestors may have crossed paths in Worksop in the mid 1800s. No intermarriages that I've found so far ;-)
What I'd like to do, Gill, as you have a little more experience in these matters, would be to get all of my lot onto the site first before it goes public and get your feedback on it... will pm you with the address asap, though you need I think to make another two posts to reply to personal messages yourself.
Katie
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I'm in the process of updating the website for one of my Cornish parishes which hopefully will go online shortly.
You might find looking at one of the existing OPC websites useful for ideas - I've used both the Cornish and Lancastrian ones which are quite different in character. A lot of the Cornish OPCs have their own websites with transcriptions and other info - it's interesting to see how many ways the same type of info can be presented!
I look forward to seeing your site when it's ready.
Gill
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Agree to all said about OPC's. They are wonderful
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I use the Lancashire OPC nearly everyday, it has helped my research and saved me money on perhaps ordering the wrong certificates :)
I have found births and marriages I didn't know existed as never showed up on the census for one reason or another, usually they had been born and died within the 10years :(
Also marriages which I could then investigate further before ordering the cert :)
AMAZING SITE a big thank you to everyone who participated!!! and I beleive are still transcriping......
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We still need an OPC for Lincolnshire. I have a few of the parishes, wish I had downloaded them all when I had the chance. Wonder if it is possible to put them together and remake the set?
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Wiltshire OPC is currently offline for maintenance :(
(http://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/)
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Wiltshire OPC site is up and running again!
I used to be one for a village in Wilts (Collingbourne Kingston), but had to cede my position to someone else due to time constraints.
I would like to add my sincere thanks to Dorset OPC, and all OPCs in general! I know how much work it takes and appreciate it even more now!!
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Hello
Does anyone know of an OPC for Ireland - Cavan in particular.
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I'm starting an OPC site for Nottinghamshire... still putting my info on at the moment but if anyone has any other Notts data they would like to share, please PM me or comment on this thread :)
How is it going is there a web site now?
Thanks Liz
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Wouldn't it be lovely if more of us who've been helped by OPC were to volunteer to do some transcribing or whatever is most needed . One way to say thankyou & help boost the data available.
Kent has been my best buddy, maybe I should have tried Lancashire as well :)
They all have my appreciation.
Wendy
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Thanx for the information , does any one have an idea about Scotland OPC near Aberdeen or Premnay areas I could contact ?
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Anyone know if there is an OPC scheme for Glamorgan?
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Hi Mike,
a good place to look is the UKBM site: http://www.ukbmd.co.uk/
In the menu on the left, click on "OPC".
No Glamorgan OPC site there (yet) but keep an eye on the page - if a new OPC is statred, it will most likely be mentioned there.
regards,
Bob
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I also greatly appreciate the sterling work done by them, especially the Lancashire one, which is a superb site, and greatly valued by many. It's no easy matter trying to do the transcribing - I don't think Interflora could provide all the bouquets these unsung, unpaid heroes deserve. Just wish other counties had a site as good as the Lancashire one.
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Lancashire IS a good site, likewise CORNWALL & KENT.. Many others out there which I haven't ventured into & all improve over time.
Try a google & pop in & check them out ;)
Wendy
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One of the best sites considered to be an opc is the one for Isle of Wight>>>
http://www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk/
personally I think Knightroots is a little difficult to use with some of the programming not coming on the screen well..... i think the material would be better presented in pdfs.....
personally Lancashire opc is the most detailed I have seen with excellent coverage......
but also we must not forget the Wiltshire BMD , Cheshire BMD, Midlands BMD and Warwickshire sites as they are most helpful......
:)
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but also we must not forget the Wiltshire BMD , Cheshire BMD, Midlands BMD and Warwickshire sites as they are most helpful......
and Dorset OPC .. and ... and .... and every OPC site :)
Bob
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... Does Derbyshire have such a site? Never found it, if they have....
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For completion and detail the accolade has to go to Dorset at present.