1901 Leftovers: Should we correct transcription errors ??

[copperbeech5]

Can I ask advise on a similar matter,  does anyone know if the original census records are available to look at (in my case Nottinghamshire)? 

I think on one of my family records, the births and the names have been wrongly transcribed.

Thanks,
Copperbeech5

[Willow 4873]

Hiya Copperbeech

Welcome to Rootschat

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong on this

The orgininal census are kept at the National Archives and scans of them are available on Ancestry and Findmypast but the enumerators books that the census was compiled from were destroyed

Hope that makes sense

Willow x

[copperbeech5]

Hi Willow,

Thanks so much for your comments, they are a great help. 

I have now contacted the national archive...to see if they have any bright ideas!

Copperbeech5

[Willow 4873]

No problem Copperbeech

Good luck

Willow x

[LoneyBones]

I must say that I'm astounded by this thread.
Someone back there said they transcribe for FreeBMD and are told to "Type What You See"
I also transcribe for FreeBMD and have those instructions printed out and here in my desk.
I believe to deliberately change anything you are transcribing is simply wrong, no matter what
Who are we to say that someone a hundred years ago, or whenever, miss-heard the pronunciation, or any other excuse. We have no right to change anything.
Family history researchers use these transcriptions in good faith. Anyone who believes there has been an error in a transcription has the option to ask for a second opinion, in fact FreeBMD has a system of double checks before they publish.
Most web sites have the option of adding a Post-it to any entry you believe is erroneous. I have added Post-its to many entries where I know I have updated information or have found an error in a transcription.
When looking up family history information on any web site I always allow for any error in spelling or dating, but if I thought that someone somewhere was deliberately changing data then the whole exercise would be pointless.
Leonie.

[Martin Briscoe]

I believe to deliberately change anything you are transcribing is simply wrong, no matter what
Who are we to say that someone a hundred years ago, or whenever, miss-heard the pronunciation, or any other excuse. We have no right to change anything.

I know that you should write down what you see but I have been transcribing a burial register and on quite a number of entries the person was buried before they died according to what was written down.

I corrected the position of the dates and put a note.

Martin Briscoe

[Willow 4873]

Hiya Leonie

I think most of us are on about correcting transcriptions on Ancestry etc when they have already been transcribed

I agree with transcribing it should be 'write what you see' - though saying that the person who transcribed RG10/2833 Folio 12 Page 15 on Ancestry didn't (though it doesn't help that Maria is listed as Isaacs daughter - she isn't shes Thomas's and therefore Isaacs niece)

Yes I have corrected it

Willow x

[Martin Briscoe]

Hiya Leonie

I think most of us are on about correcting transcriptions on Ancestry etc when they have already been transcribed

I agree with transcribing it should be 'write what you see' - though saying that the person who transcribed RG10/2833 Folio 12 Page 15 on Ancestry didn't (though it doesn't help that Maria is listed as Isaacs daughter - she isn't shes Thomas's and therefore Isaacs niece)

Yes I have corrected it

Willow x

Errors on Ancestry are different because they usually just add the correction as an alternative name which is then found when people are searching.  They can then decide their own interpretation from the image.


Martin Briscoe

[Willow 4873]

Hiya Martin

Yes I think it is a better alternative because at least you can make up you own mind if the correction is correct (and bang your head up the wall over the fact you spent days looking for them but hadn't thought of that variation on the name)

Willow x