Transcribing for FreeBMD and FreeCen and ...

[trish251]

After replying to a query on FreeBMD, I began thinking about the wonderful help being given to all we family searchers from these sites. I am sure there are many volunteers who transcribe this data on rootschat & I thank them very much for doing this work and providing answers even before we ask the questions.

For newcomers to family research, if you have a few free hours - try some transcribing. I recently joined FreeCen (perhaps because I was frustrated about not being able to find any 1861 name indexes??) and apart from adding to the data (with me somewhat slowly) there are other enjoyable and educational outcomes. To mention just a few:

I will never again complain about errors in transcriptions. I have found one enumerator who I can only describe as the one from h... His writing is virtually impossible to decipher and some of my transcriptions are "best guess" only.
Occupations provide an insight into how our families lived in years past. Most children seemed to have joined the work force from age 9 upwards either as domestic servants or "errand boys". There are people aged in their 70s still working as "general labourers" (I guess they never needed to go to the Gym).
It took me awhile to find out that "out door pauper" - didn't necessarily mean being forced to live outside in the snow.
I found Mr Inkpen - the schoolmaster - and his family, many of whom became pupil teachers.

Trish


Moderator Comment: topics merged

[Kazza]

I have to second what Trish says,  FreeBMD is my favourite hobby-horse.   

When there are so many people out there waiting to take your money off you,  as you persue your Genealogy hobby,  I think this is a great project.  I started transcribing for them in January,  and it has been so enlightening being part of this enormous project.  When we have finished,  there will be around a Billion records available FREE to anyone who has internet access.

The transcription software they provide is so easy to use,  they make every effort to reduce the number of keystrokes you need to get the record transcribed,  that I do most of mine while watching television.  We are all kept up to date with the project by our co-ordinators and there is a real feeling of camararderie.

Kazza.

[Kazza]

In the early days of RootsChat,  a member asked:

Hi I'm thinking of becoming a volunteer transcriber. I've lots of time on my hands and I am extremely interested in the subject.
Any Ideas which is the best place to start. I've had a look at the freebmd and wondered weather to join a syndicate, but which one? Can you also do census transcribing. I live in Spain does that make a difference. Thanks

We discussed our transcription experiences:

http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2805.0
Moderator Comment: topics merged

Kazza.

[Andy_D]

Thanks Trish and Kazza. The sort of information a beginner like me wants to know. 3 weeks ago I had  thought the only info availible online was at cost.
           I just decided to google search on the off chance somebody had done another website and I came accross LDS.....and then another google search came accross a thread here. ....And forums can be so helpful, I could see straight away that this one was filled with peeps who are genuinly interested .... And this forum IS a huge help.....I've read through a lot of the old topics and have learnt so much........Thankyou to all here...much appreciated.

        As for transcribing census, do you recieve a jpg and then read off that ?    ...........And a big thks to you transcribers...unbelievable IMO 

         

[trish251]

Hi Andy

With the transcribing - it can be from online scans, sometimes scans on a CD or microfiche. I am currently using fiche - but to do this you need a reader. On the FreeBDM or FreeCEN pages have a browse at the information for transcribers - it describes it all.

Now that you have found rootschat - at the beginning of each section there are usually half a dozen or more posts on "information available". e.g. If you are interested in Kent, go to the Kent pages and there will be lots of links to online data for this area.

Good searching
Trish

[Floss]

I volunteered to FreeCEN and am now transcribing the 1861 census for Grimsby (cd) and I love it.  Firstly, I live in Grimsby and it amazing to see how many street names are still surviving today.  My local pub is even listed in 1861 !!
Ok its time consuming and sometimes very frustrating when you just can't figure out whats written but so rewarding when you finally do manage to read what it says.
If anyone is thinking of volunteering then you should, they need all the help they can get.  I was a bit hesitant at first, I'm not that brilliant on a computer, but I had loads of help and advice, and don't seem to have any problems.

Fiona

[English Jen]

I also transcribe for FreeBMD and FreeCEN.  If you don't like things that drag on for a while FreeBMD would be the one for you as you only do a page at a time, but with FreeCEN you get a whole area with pages and pages of information.  So I alternate between the two to stop myself getting downhearted that I haven't finished it quickly enough.  FreeCEN is interesting as you get to see whole families with occupations etc, and FreeBMD can be a little sad when you are typing the deaths, but once you've done a few Unknown, unknown aged about 40, it's surprising how quickly you get used to it.  My first area with FreeCEN was on Microfiche, but the area I'm doing now is on CD as I had to give the microfiche reader back.  Unfortunately, the area that I want (Kent) is not really being done at the moment, so I'm typing up Durham!!!  Every little bit helps.

[Adi1962]

Just though I'd get a plug in 

The Kent OPC are always on the look out for volunteers to transcribe Kent records. We are currently working on the 1841 Census.

We support FreeCen and similar projects by giving them copies of our transcribed work, it is also hoped that we will take on some of their transcribing for Kent soon.

If anyone is interested have a look at the site http://www.kent-opc.org.uk it explains what we do and how to volunteer.

Adrian

[SS from The Rhondda]

If every member of RootsChat would volunteer to transcribe for FreeCEN, FreeBMD, etc then in no time at all we would all have access to the data on-line to search for free.

You can spare as much or as little time as you can afford to help the project. They don't ask for fast typers - just for people to be accurate in what they type.

Follow a link to volunteer:
FreeCEN http://freecen.rootsweb.com/project.htm
FreeBMD http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html


Moderator Comment: topics merged