Transcribing for FreeBMD and FreeCen and ...

[netnet]

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

[Welsh Jen]

I know you can offer your services for transcribing through your Local Family History Society with regards to Census transcribing. However seeing as you live in Spain that may prove to be difficult.....

Have you thought about something which is Spanish based, you may help assist people in other Countries with ancestors that originated from Spain, (i.e: Spanish Monumental Inscriptions). It may not be what you are ideally wishing to do, but it may be a good start.

It may also be worth your while in contacting the Free BMD to see if they have any ideas for you.

Regards Jen  

[jacpam]

I, too, live in Spain and am a volunteer transcriber for FreeBMD which is not a problem because they just send me the scanned images of pages as e-mail attachments, which I then send back to my syndicate supervisor for checking before uploading to the FreeBMD site - it's all quite simple and easy to download the necessary software.
I'm still a novice at transcribing myself, but probably like you felt I wanted to give something back instead of always using the services of these wonderful sites.
At the moment my particular syndicate is transcribing the first quarter of 1907 for marriages.
If you want any more information let me know  
Jacki

[PaulineJ]

I've done FreeBmd transcribing for the Scan2 Syndicate, which I can thoroughly recommend. I've tried to do Census transcription for freecen which drove me up the wall, mostly because you have to try and read EVERYTHING under myriad crossings-out and other marks.

At the moment, I'm doing commercial census indexing (I get a copy of the disc when it is produced - I'll let everyone have lookups from it when it's published). Even that is hard on the brain. I found Freebmd to be much easier; it's in alphabetical order, and apart form the very early ones, are in typescript rather than manuscript.


Pauline

[netnet]

thanks for that, I think I will contact the freebmd and do some work for them.

[Kazza]

Hi there,

I can thoroughly recommend FreeBMD as being a great experience for a volunteer transcriber.  

I am with the Freeloaders syndicate,  all is done via Email and internet links.  There are about 100 in my syndicate,  all over the world and our co-ordinator is in Australia.  It is easy,  all the software is very user friendly and downloadable over the 'net.

All you need to contribute is your  time,  and as much or as little as you can spare.  There is no pressure on transcribers and all is friendly and a great feeling of cameraderie.

If you ever need any advice or help I would be happy to hear from you,  and I would urge anyone thinking of contributing to this project to go ahead,  give it a go.  As family historians we all benefit from the results.

Kazza.

[LindaFromOz]

Hi I started out transcribing for freebmd about 2yrs ago it was great for getting your recognition for different names, then I wanted more of a challenge so I decided to transcribe for freecen. I live in Australia and they send me the piece number that I want to transcribe and all the info you need is available on the net. You only use an ordinary spreadsheet program. I have done three pieces now and everyone is different.

Linda

[PaulineJ]

I wholeheartedly agree that what Linda has said is the best way to go about it. First do FreeBmd to get familiar with the less-common names and then try the census if you want the challenge.

Pauline

[netnet]

thanks for that, after your replies i contacted a syndicate at freebmd and have done my training, I'm now waiting for my first assignment. net net