Genealogy Chat

and when you do transcribe, I recommend the District Lists to download, available from Free BMD transcribers page under the How to read old handwriting section. Val

Sounds like I'd better sign up then! I've appreciated all the hard work that others have put in - but I guess if we all pitch in we'll have a much better chance of climbing over those brick walls that we all seem to be so frustrated by.

The pages I get to transcribe are exactly those you see on 1837 site. Sometimes the scans are not such good quality as those on 1837 and I spend 10p to download a better copy! I have been doing the earlier handwritten ones and they can be a bit tough sometimes. There are 40 entries on a page and I usually do about 5 or 6 pages a month, more if it's easy writing to read, less if it's difficult. It does get easier as you learn to recognise the handwriting. The syndicates don't put any pressure on your to complete lots, they just ask that you send in at least a page evey few months. Some people do thousands of entries, some just a few but every little helps. I haven't done any for a couple of months, busy with Christmas and this has reminded me I must get some done!

You do as much or as little as you choose, the keyword is ACCURACY. A double page of an index is usually 750 entries - each entry is: surname, forenames, district, page. The software includes "auto complete" facility so that typing "kid" Tab will enter "Kidderminster,6b" (or whatever the volume is). Similarly, if the surname is the same as the previous one, you just press "Tab" and it is entered automatically. One of my assignments was 2,250 Smiths! There is also a program supplied which enables you to check what you have typed in. I suppose 750 entries (when you get the hang of what you're doing) takes 3-5 hours. They send you a test page, (so that you can have a try before taking the plunge) of which you only need to complete a few dozen names, before giving you your first assignment. Help is only an e-mail away if you have problems.

Hi Ros Thanks! Do I take it the 'images' are similar to those we access on 1837? Do they get sent to you by email or do they arrive by post?

I know there are a lot of GC people who transcribe for freeBMD. I would be interested in helping, but would like to know exactly what I'd be committing myself to... Can anyone tell me more?