Genealogy Chat

Hi Jan And welcome! Have a read back through the rest of this thread for tips on downloading the stuff for freecen. Rick gives some good tips. It is all a bit complicated at first but we're all here to help you. Jeanette

hi folks - thanks for the welcome! I'm going to have to use the reader at the library - might make a start on the other side of the family while I'm there! I'm quite excited cos Carol has said she's sent me some fiche which covers part of South Shields which is my family comes from - will I discover anything, I wonder? Having said that I know so little about them, it's more than likely! I hate downloading things from websites - do you need any particular programme open? Anything else I need to know before I do it? (Probably won't get around to it until the end of the week.) It's good to know that all of you are there like a safety net in case things go wrong! I'm off to walk the dog now. Night all! Jan

Hi Jan, I have only used a fiche at the library too. Do you have a reader? I would imagine it will be the same as from a cd. I havent come across any of my family but I havent got too far on with mine. I am doing Stockton/ Thornaby 1861. Good luck. Jo

Hi Jan Welcome aboard! The more the merrier. I haven't transcribed from a fiche before - only used them for researching at Archives and libraries, so I'm afraid I can't help you on that score. I'm sure someone will be able to though. I'm doing parts of Lincolnshire 1861 and found several stray rellies - usually young girls who had gone into service in other villages. If you have any problems when you get started I'm sure there will be someone on here who will be able to help. It's easy enough to do, I'm not trying to put you off!! Good Luck. Von

Hi folks I'm so pleased this has re-emerged! I've just volunteered and am waiting for a fiche for Durham. Carol said it could be ages before a disc is ready so I thought I'd throw myself in the deep end before I got cold feet waiting! Has anyone worked with a fiche before? Any tips? And just out of interest, has anyone come across new info about one their families while doing this? Jan

Hi Yvonne thanks for that, that is soo true about wondereing about how I had time to work,and housework well what's that these day's I got more done when I was working as there is alway's tomorrow now!!!! Rick don't worry a little is better than nothing. Ann

Well you're all ahead of me now - I still can't make out very much of the first 50 pages out and it's painfully slow to do even a single page. I'm on page 8 :-( I'm not going to admit defeat though ! Rick.

Hi Ann I think being retired is a very good excuse. I'm not retired (yet) but have friends who are and they say they wonder how they ever had time to go to work - they now fill their days with so many hobbies, not to mention the housework which we women never retire from! You're doing great and one day someone is going to be very pleased to find the details online which you've transcribed. Chin up, fingers to the keys and you'll have finished your disc before my next one arrives!! Von

Yvonee yes you do put u in two spaces and I have no excuse for being slow as I am retired and have no children at home but you keep on reminding me any way. Thanks for bulling me up! Ann

Hi Jeanette, Well done! Doesn't it make a difference when you can read everything clearly. I wish I was transcribing too - getting really fed up waiting for my next disc now. I keep looking for the postie every morning - don't know what the poor man thinks!! LOL Von

Thanks Yvonne I've got a new enumerator now with better handwriting so I'm transcribbling for Engalnd this afternoon! Jeanette

Hi Jeanette, I put a u in column H. I didn't have 2 houses unoccupied together but I would assume you put u in 2 rows to show 2 individual unoccupied houses. Hope this helps. Von

Anybody there?! My enumerator has written 2u in the fourth column. I assume he means there were 2 houses unoccupied. Anybody else come across this and how did you show it? Jeanette

Jo I think everyone is doing a grand job especially those, like yourself, who have family commitments. There's no pressure or time limit for it and every little helps. As I said last night I was fortunate - good handwriting, clear scans plus the time to do it. I might not be so lucky with the next disc!! Hubby was working long hours at the time and my children have flown the nest! If I'd got a young family I doubt if I would have volunteered at all so I'm full of admiration for you. Hope you manage to keep up the good work. Karen and Ann The main thing is you are helping and, if like me, feel you are putting a bit back for all the free help we've had. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I did. I got quite involved with the families, finding sons and daughters who had moved on to nearby villages but thought it was time to pack up one night after I said out loud 'OH NO, how did they cope' when I found a young chap with a wife and seven children and in the last column it said he was blind. It certainly gives you an insight into how our rellies lived. Hope you've solved the Parish problem Ann. I was doing lots of villages so it happened quite a lot on my disc. Pleased I could help. Von

Don't want to upset you Ann but I'm about three quarters of the way through my disc! lol I've hit a patch of bad handwriting though so you'll be pleased to know that it's slowed me down a bit. Jeanette

Wowo Karen and Yvonne You have put me to shame as I started before any of you!! And only done 50 odd pages,I really must get the whip out!! Keep telling me how you are getting on to keep me going. Regards Ann

Yvonne, GOSH ! I'm sure that is ok to say. I wish I could have done 1 seems to be taking me ages! I do enjoy doing it but the usual happens, you know, kids and Family! Love them all really. Perhaps the "freecen needs help" needs putting back up? I will see if I can find the number.

Hi Jo, I think I was one of the lucky ones - I've already transcribed one disc and sent it off for checking. That one arrived just a few days after I ordered it and had very good handwriting throughout so I was able to get through it quite quickly. I really enjoyed doing it, which is why I decided to carry on and do another one. I think I'm getting withdrawal symptoms now!! I'm doing Lincolnshire and my co-ordinator is pleased to have new transcribers on board but I gather from the CENSUS HELP list they still need transcribers for other areas. Your idea to 'advertise' on here was great and seems to have had a good response from other members, me included. Von

Hi Von Yes that's what i mean---I think Love Ann

I hope it gets sorted soon, for you both. I think Yvonne when you see your disc it will take a lot more than a few weeks to get through. Dont want to put you off though! I can't do much more than a page at a time because my eyes dont like it! I do love doing it though!