Genealogy Chat

From Scotland FreeReg coordinator from the freereg mailing list " As you will have gathered, the Scotland part of FreeREG is about to start and we are looking for transcribers for all counties, but particularly, Moray, Fife, Banff, East Lothian, Orkney, Aberdeen and Angus (fine bit of beef!) because we have county co-ordinators in place for those counties and the film is on its way. So if you have people north of the border, how about taking on a little bit to help out. All the best, Anne"

Who are you trying to get in touch with Kate. Perhaps send it to me and I can pass it on? Jo

My emails are bouncing back. I have tried from two different email addresses. According to one which was returned, the mailing list has 'permanent fatal errors'. Sounds painful.

Hi Jo - thanks for your email(s) lol......looking forward to finding out more......cheers, Anne :)

Hi Anne, Basically it is transcribing Parish Records. Have you used speedbmd? It is very much like that. If you haven't, or for anyone else who is reading, it's a free programme you download from the site. Doesn't take up much space. On that you will type what (or not) you can see from the parish records. All your work is saved in the programme. Once that is done it will be saved in the correct format to be able to transfer it to the site. A lot of records have been transcribed but need converting to be able to use on the site. That takes time too. ALL the work is done by volunteers same as freebmd and freecen and will be free to view as the others are. If it's ok I will forward your interest off to Anne who is Coordinator for Scotland. Anne is lovely and will be able to fill you in on everything. It will be brilliant when it's all up and running. So many people will be able to see parish records at home, especially if they are disabled or have problems getting to the records office. Also for all the others who live miles away from the area they are researching. Thanks for your interest. Best wishes, Jo.

Hi Jo........I had a quick look at the site last night. The transcribing sounds like it could be really interesting, but could you clarify for the likes of novices such as myself, exactly what is involved and how they get you organised?? Cheers :)

Hi Jo Just seen your post. Off for a look now! Thanks Jeanette x

LOL, yep for the moment. Dave was going to email this week and haven't heard from him yet. Hope he is ok but is a very busy man. Did you see the post I put on your thread about Malton? Hope you are well. Jo.

Hi Jo I haven't heard from Dave for a while. Seeing this message has prompted me to drop him a line. Hope you're well - and sober! lol Jeanette

:)

Thank you to the couple of people who have enquired. It really will be worth it. Best wishes, Jo

Everything takes time and as it is all done by volunteers even the tech things. A reply "It is only the English part of the project that has been going for 4 years.The Old Parish Registers for the whole of the UK *will* take a long time.For example, the 1841 census for Angus consists of 11 films. The OPRs for Angus consists of 100 films. The Scottish part has just begun, and FreeREG is really taking off in a big way. FreeCEN and FreeBMD have been going for a long time too, but parts of them are complete. County co-ordinators are required in order for each county to be done. If no co-ordinators come forward then particular counties will have to wait. That is why anyone who wants to see a particular county done should think about volunteering." It has been remarked that FreeCEN is proceeding far quicker than was thought - that can happen with FreeREG too - with your help.

I think once FreeREG actually gets records online, people will want to volunteer more. Psychologically it puts people off when they realise some volunteers have been transcribing for 4 years and their efforts are gathering dust in cyberspace. FreeBMD has loads of volunteers, most of them because they found the site useful and want to contribute.

LOL Jo! I like your style. Jeanette x

There was a spelling mistake! LOL Shouldn't drink in the afternoon! Best not do that when I'm transcribing!!!!!!!!! Have changed it though : ) and yep at it again! Do you know I wouldn't ask for anything in the "real" world. So if you could see me I would be rather pink in the face! LOL

Are you at it again Jo! lol How does FreeGen differ from FreeReg? Jeanette

Hi, it looks like FreeReg will be available soon and some help is required to get it going! I'm sure most people know it is part of FreeBMD and FreeCen, all done by volunteers. It will be free to search and view transcribed parish records. The Scotish coordinator has asked for some help; "I am looking for county co-ordinators and volunteer transcribers for FreeReg now - www.freereg.org.uk - if you want to take a look. I've got 4 co-ordinators so far and another 3 in the pipeline - fingers crossed. There's software to help with the inputting. " You can get in touch via the site or you can email me and I will post your interests on. Best wishes, Jo.