Genealogy Chat

back In a Mo Lesley :~)

Hi I was wondering if anyone was a Transcriber for FREEBMD and if they think its easy? After seeing the thread saying it had been updated today I popped on again and read up about Transcribing for them...as there still seems so much missing. I dont have a fancy PC or any extra's like a scanner But would it be easy and can you do it at your leasure? Interested in your comments please Thanxs Lesley :~)

There are quite a few people on here that do it. I used to but my eyes are a bit iffy. You only need a pc as they send you the program and the sheets to transcribe over the net. Cant say its really 'at your leisure' as they tend to have a sort of loose time limit for uploading your work. But more peeps will be on later to help you.

Thanxs Heather. Lol Eyes bit iffy Mine too lol But when I get bored or have no look ups to do, I thought It would be something useful I could do.. I think Im getting a bit addicted to this family tree stuff lol..... Its my daughters Pc and she no longer has school she starts college in september so I am sometimes limited to how long I get to go on for the day..I wondered if that mattered? Thanxs for your reply Lesley :~)

Thank you Elisabeth That is what I thought about giving something back ..The more helpers they have the quicker it will be finished for everyone. Thanxs Lesley :~)

I cant remember what they suggest - is it 3 hours a week guys? I found my eyes got really bad after an hour so you can leave it and go back to it later. It really is logical and you do have the predicting program (daft me, first time, I typed in each name in full and each district - not realising the predictor could do it for me!). You get a sort of little test run first and you send that back for them to look through but it is used, so its not like its wasted effort.

Heather. What is the Predicting Program do you download it from them? I would have done the same I think lol type in each individual bit of info... Lesley :~)

Hi Lesley, I have been transcribing for freebmd for 18 months now. You join a syndicate. The syndicate co-ordinator (mine is Jeff Coleman) will advise you how to go about downloading the software. I am not kidding when I tell you I am computer illiterate and if I can do it anyone can do it. There is no time limit and no pressure. Jeff does like scans to be uploaded within 4 months of allocating them. Go for it Lesley. The more that transcribe the quicker it will all be on line. Jean x.

Jean Thats what I thought about the more that help the quicker it will all be done. How much do you get given at one time? Lesley :~)

You will be fine - click to contact one of the groups and they will send you everything you need, all the programs and the sheets to do.

Heather What happens if I start it and then decide I cant do it or I dont have enought time? Sorry Im asking loads of questions but dont want to jump in and drown lol

Lesley, Jeff, my co-ordinator, is great and gives step by step instructions. I usualy get 10 scans at a time and at the moment I am transcribing 1854 handwritten births which have approx 40 entries a page. There is no time limit at all. I can take a week or a month depending on how busy I am. If you want to finish transcribing you just say you are taking a break for a while or finishing altogether. Jean x.

Hi Lesley Go for it! It really is very easy, there's no pressure, and an hour a week would be absolutely fine. Jean and I are in the same syndicate, and our co-ordinator is really nice, very helpful and will talk you through any queries. Mandy :)

Lesley, you arent being paid and you arent signing a contract - if you feel its too much for you just tell them so and have a break or stop. The worse thing would be to feel under pressure - then it wouldnt be worthwhile for you. Ive always done voluntary work and Ive treated it like paid work and put the same amount of effort in and thats good I know, but when it comes down to it, you are voluntary and shouldnt feel the pressure of paid employment! Have a go, if you dont fancy it, nothing lost. If you love it - it will be a nice worthwhile hobby for you.

Jean Mandy & Heather Thank you all so much for your feedback :~) I think I will give it a go :~) As you say it is voluntary and no Time limit so what the heck what harm can it do? lol a Apart from me getting sucked in and leaving my house to disappear under a pile of housework lol SO whats the first step..? I would like to start with something easier to read til I get the hang of it... so do I pick a later year ? Lesley :~)

Hi Leslie, I'm with Brian Smarts syndicate and have had no pressure put on me, I just get 4 at a time and work thro, usually at night when the boards are a bit slow. I'm doing 1845 marriages, handwritten and a bit difficult to read at times. Just take your time and don't do guess work and you'll be fine, give it a go, it's good to put something back. Kat :)

Can anyone tell me what the first thing is I should do. I have gone onto Freebmd and clicked on *Join Freebmd* It says to click on item stating if you have got a Microfiche or not got a Microfiche When I click on Not got a Microfiche it gives a list of Syndicates but Jeff Coleman is not on it... Can anyone advise please? Lesley :~)

Hi Lesley Glad we've managed to persuade you lol! No, there really isn't any pressure. My co-ordinator is always very understanding when I have circumstances that mean I can't do any for a few weeks. Go to the FreeBMD home page and there's a place to click and sign up with a syndicate. Your offer will be registered and your co-ordinator will get in touch with you. Mandy :)

Thanxs Kat :~) I was typing my message as you sent yours lol Im really excited about starting. How long after I have been in touch with a syndicate leader will I hear from them any idea?

Yeah Mandy you twisted my Arm lol I have nothing to lose by trying it for a while...and as people have said there is no pressure as its voluntary.... Wish me luck I have clicked on Syndicate allocation and found Jeff Coleman in the list so do I click on his name?