Genealogy Chat

Hi, I am just in the middle of transcribing my "test" scan, and i'm having loads of problems. I cant understand what a lot of the writing says, and down the right hand side, through the page numbers, there appears to have been a crease or something, so i cant see a lot of the numbers properly. What should i do? Give up and admit defeat, or continue putting in my * and _ and then see what happens? I'm getting a bit disheartened to be honest. Emma.

Emma Know how you feel had so many problems just getting started, then had trouble attaching test to email, and hubby wouldn't help. Just said you wanted to do it!!! All I suggest is keep putting in * or _ or e-mail your supervisor. but do keep trying it feels great when you finally get there,I did. Although I haven't had the test back yet so it's prob all wrong!! Shelli

Emma, Are you doing the Scan2 test with the NUT-O'BR names? I'm not having any problems with unreadable characters. Crista

Crista That was the one I did. I also had no prob reading scan, was the rest of it!!!! complete dunce when it come to computers... kids know more than me!! Shelli

Done test and just started my first assignment. Takes a lot of time. Some of the characters look so strange. I try to minimize the database winbmd and maximise the scan as much as is possible to get a clear zoom on the records. ALthough even that diesnt help sometimes!

Don't give up - just think of all the people you will be helping by transcribing more records!! Have you tried making the scan image bigger? Use F11 and F12 to make it bigger or smaller. There is also the magnifier - go to image options and make sure that the "Magnifier" option is "on". Then just move your mouse over the bit you are struggling to read, and it will magnify it for you. If you are still struggling, then just put in the * and __ . If it is a problem then your co-ordinator will let you know. If it is Sue Burton, she will be a great help. She helped me no end! Good luck and don't lose hope.

I'm sure we must all have got the same scan of the 'test' page so we've all been in the same boat. As the training blurb says - if you can't read it then put in the appropriate character etc. It's very clearly set out in the training package. Did anyone else do like me and did the WHOLE page? Silly me - good practice though. Graham

Hi, I am part of the Brian's Scan Syndicate. Would i be better of with the other one you mentioned? I am a data inputter as part of my job, so thought i would be really fast at to transcribing this stuff, but thats not the case. Emma.

I tried to join the Scan 2 syndicate a couple of days ago but am still waiting for the organiser chappy to get back to me. Should I just keep waiting or should I transfer myself to Brian's? After reading the above messages, I am actually a bit worried that the transcribing is gonna be much harder than it sounds...

i transcribed for Croscan for a year or so but due to some events happening at home had to stop - however i have contacted Croscan and they have accepted me back - i didn't find it to onerous back then was fairly time consuming but rewarding and once i started on each assignment i had to keep going until it was finished looking forward to starting again tonight or tomorrw. hevi bournemouth dor

I've been transcribing for the John Paine Syndicate for a couple of months. I've had no problems transcribing, and didn't have the 'test scan' you are all talking about. Any queries I've had have been answered very quickly by contacting my co-ordinator. I found the first page I did a little bit daunting, but was assured that it would get much easier, and by the end of the page I knew what I was doing. I don't think it matters what syndicate you are with - I think the only difference is that they are responsible for transcribing different batches. If anyone was considering joining those of us who are already transcribing, PLEASE DON'T BE PUT OFF. It's really NOT THAT DIFFICULT! If I can do it, then anyone can ....... honest!! Janet Northamptonshire

Hi Guys, I joined the merry band a couple of nights ago. Now what do I do? How do I get my first/test transcription? I followed the link to my surname and there was a Knowles there but his name was David. Do I click on that or do I wait until my name arrives Willing but confused (it's the age) Mike

Rachel - wait it took awhile for my test page to come thru so wait a bit longer. I thought they'd forgotten me. Micheal - are you part of scan2? If yes either wait and you'll names will appear or email sue and she'll send you a test scan, thats what my 1st email stated. Graham - no you're not alone I did it all as well but as you say good practice