Genealogy Chat

Just wonder if anybody is interested in volunteering

Here is the latest Ezine from the Federation of Family History
Societies announces that the Federation are now putting
their name behind the Local BMD Project
See http://www.ffhs.org.uk/ezine/ezine1305.htm for details.

If you can help extend the range and growth of the Local BMD
Project please visit http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/localbmdproject


:-D :-D :-D

Nudge for those that missed this

I'm grateful for the work these volunteers do; but it's not something I would do myself. When I look at websites that charge people to look at those transcriptions it seems that there is a group of people doing the work, whilst somebody else is getting paid for it. If I have to pay to look at the transcription, don't you think that the people who do those transcription should be the ones to profit from it?

Most of the sites asking for volunteer transcribers are free sites. Others that charge usually pay their transcribers as far as I am aware.

I am very grateful to the volunteers on freeBMD, OPC, freeCEN, freeREG and familysearch and numerous others who put transcriptions on the web.

Graham

the UKBMD sites that NanaSue is taliking about ARE free sites
eg lancashirebmd.org.uk

they are extremely useful sites as they frequently contain info which is not available elsewhere such as mmn before 1911 or age at death before the 1860's

without volunteers for these sites and also for sites such as freebmd and freereg internet searching would be a lot more difficult.

In this day and age what would we do without freebmd? ALL of transcribed by volunteers.

FamilySearch, freecen, and freereg are also always looking out for volunteer transcribers.
These are free sites and unpaid volunteers, nothing to do with the expensive genealogy websites.

Has any member actually volunteered as a transcriber.

Would be interesting for those house bound who are passionate about Geneaology.

Thinking of having a go myself anyway - would be so satifying

:-D :-D :-D

I think you will find that many members are transcribers for one site or another. I do freebmd.

I do Freereg and Familysearch.
It's enjoyable and interesting work, especially the very old records from before 1837.

I do a bit (full-time work and other commitments permitting) for a local WW1 commemoration project.

My OH has bought fiches of parish registers, transcribed them onto his computer and been an OPC (online parish clerk) for some parishes; it is at times hard work helping people but also can be fulfilling and rewarding.

Give it a go NanaSue - as a side effect, some people find the actual act of transcribing quite relaxing if they are stressed, losing themselves in the images

Most (free) sites don't mind how few or how often you submit transcribed records, as long as you have done so to the best of your ability. Most groups have a 'closed' email group address so that transcribers can ask each other for help or a second opinion.

I transcribed one of the 1861 microfilms for freeCEN. It was sent to me on a cd, and my transcribing was into a pre-formatted .csv worksheet.

Transcribing is certainly not a "five minute" job.

As indicated by others, it was rewarding. Not only was there the satisfaction of 'putting something back' in return for all the free records that I have used, but also I gained much insite into handwriting & spelling.

Have done it, not actually doing it at themoment.

its rewarding, interesting, sometimes times consuming ( I'll just do a FEW more.....'') and at other frustrating- You see a place name and you know its spelled incorrectly, but have to transcribe not correct . You know very well that having transcribed Wetford, Hertfordshire that its 'Watford ' but ..... And you think '' well, they wont find HIM easily''

I do it for Ancestry, don't get paid but you do get a discount on the subs.

Will you give it a go, NanaSue?

Don't have the time at the moment - am heavily involved with community work but will give it a go at some point

NS - you don't need a vast a amount of time - just what you are able to do. I too am heavily involved in the community and do about 1 batch of indexes about every couple of months. Better than none at all

We are lucky here in Lancashire we have a good BMD also a great Lancashire Parish Records (this is thanks to the loads of volunteers who give their time to do it) and this does cover all Lancashire.