Genealogy Chat

Alison; I think there are certain syndicates within Free BMD that deal exclusively with the hand written indexes. Some of them are a real cow to read, aren't they!? The writing is always beautiful until you get to the bit you want and then it looks like the recorder had a day on the grog!! lol Sonja

Stuart, I am not into re-inventing the wheel, so to speak! If the secret of the scans needs to remain so, that is fine by me. I have my own way of finding stuff for my family, I simply go to the Family History Centre! I just can't wait for the day that the the whingers who go on about the incomplete indexes etc and don't volunteer anything but criticism are finally silenced by the news that the indexes are ALL complete!! Sonja

Stuart My comment was only meant as a joke. Hope you were not offended by it. Lynne

Thanks for the explanation about the situation Stuart ......... enough said, I think! Janet. Northamptonshire

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I will certainly see if they need any volunteers now I know it's not difficult to transcribe. Lynne

There are very good reasons why it shouldn't be broadcast that this is possible, we don't want transcribers who are only interested in getting access to scans for their own use and neglect transcription work. If your internet savvy enough then you can work it out for yourselves but I wish, for the sake of FreeBMD, that nothing had been said in public. They only had to password the scans in the first place because someone told the world that they were available and FreeBMD was crippled by the flood of people who started to download them.

I think Andrea must want to keep this one to herself, Sonja! Janet. Northamptonshire

Come on Andrea! Spill the beans!! I didn't know either Janet! Please tell how you can access they all. SOnja

oops sorry on reading the message i left i'v so spelt the website name wrong its www.yorkshirebmd.org.uk

Lynn, you could try the other site www.yourshirebmd.org.uk I have often found relatives on this one who were not present on the BMD site, good luck

Well, Lynne! Your original message has certainly started something here! Good for you Barbara, and Michelle, who I know has also contacted the volunteer coordinator. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Janet. Northamptonshire.

I thought I would give it a go,as plenty of spare time on my hands!I have sent an email to the volunteer coordinater and waiting for a reply! Barbara.

There are a lot of us FreeBMD transcribers on this site, aren't there?! Andrea - I didn't know about the access to ALL files for transcribers! How does that work? Janet. Northamptonshire.

I am also a transcriber for FreeBMD and agree that we need all the help we can get. I would love for all the files to be finished so we can find all the people we are looking for. However.... if you are transcriber for FreeBMD you have access to ALL files.... I have only just worked this out and have since found 4 births and 2 marriages - having a great time!

I'm with you Stuart! I am a transcriber as well and I am sure Derek at Scan 2 would welcome transcribers with open arms! You don't have to be a whizz kid on the 'puter and I get a great kick out of seeing the pages add up that I have transcribed! I was really impressed to see how many peopple were ready to sign up and help out! Good on you all!! The index will be finished in no time at this rate!! Warm regards Sonja

Michelle I can tesify as a transcriber that they are always looking for more volunteers, they might be snowed under with new volunteers though as it takes some organistation to dispatch training information etc. You want if possible to join the Scan2 syndicate, you will certainly find them very helpful indeed.

Michelle Saw your message after I had sent mine. I've had a look at the FreeBMD site and you appear to be right. Try contacting the Volunteer co-ordinator - the e-mail address is on the same page - and see what they have to say. Regards Janet. Northamptonshire

Lorna, Just followed your advice, it appears they don't need transcribers at moment. Only USA or Canada unless I did something wrong. Well it wouldn't be the first time!! Shelli

I started transcribing for Free BMD a few weeks ago, because I had got so much free information from them that I also wanted to give something back. Also, the more of us that give of our time, the quicker we'll all find what we're looking for! To find out more, just go to the FreeBMD homepage and click on 'Join FreeBMD. There's loads of information about what's involved, and full details on how to contact a syndicate. It looks a lot more complicated than it really is, but you will receive as much help and advice as you need from your syndicate co-ordinator. You will also need to download some software to help you with your transcriptions - but if you go to the site, it will tell you all about this - and more. You don't need any qualifications as far as I'm aware - just to be able to copy exactly what you see! Happy transcribing! Janet. Northamptonshire.

How can we find out if we can help? Do we need to be qualified? Do we need special equipment? My youngest also starts full time in Sept and won't know what to do with myself??? so would love to help