A challenge for 2017 - become a transcriber for FreeREG

[clairec666]

Without reading through the 11 pages of this thread, can someone tell me if USA residents can participate in this? Or are there similar opportunities for us folks across the pond? I had thought of doing this, and coming across this thread has encouraged me to consider it again. I'm pretty good at deciphering lousy handwriting! 

Hi ladyk
I'm sure you'll be able to transcribe for FreeREG from "across the pond". For some counties, they can provide you with images of the original records, or tell you where to find them online. For some counties though, the only option is to go to the local record office and transcribe from the original registers. So I would suggest emailing FreeREG and asking which counties would be suitable. (I know Essex records are available.)

Alternatively, you could sign up for indexing at familysearch.org. You can do it all from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in the world. There are several "projects" on the go including English parish records, so hopefully something will be of interest to you.

And there are lots of other similar projects available, which other rootschatters can tell you about!

Transcribing for FreeREG is great because you can upload your work and it's available to search immediately - it feels great when you see your first transcriptions online.

[coombs]

I have been having computer problems and router and internet problems lately but seem to have them fixed now and need to get the ball rolling regarding my training for FreeBMD transcribing. My samples are from Ormskirk.

[rosie99]

I have been having computer problems and router and internet problems lately but seem to have them fixed now and need to get the ball rolling regarding my training for FreeBMD transcribing. My samples are from Ormskirk.

Just curious, are they duplicating lancashireOPC Ormskirk records. 

[Andrew Tarr]

Just curious, are they duplicating lancashireOPC Ormskirk records.

I would think yes, very likely.  The Lancs jobs I have done for FreeReg have duplicated records either on LancsPC or on Family Search, or both.  My images have come from LDS (Family Search) anyway.  I would like to transcribe stuff which is not already available, so that I could think I was adding to the available data, but orders is orders .... 

[coombs]

I have been having computer problems and router and internet problems lately but seem to have them fixed now and need to get the ball rolling regarding my training for FreeBMD transcribing. My samples are from Ormskirk.

Just curious, are they duplicating lancashireOPC Ormskirk records.

Not 100% sure but they could be sending new transcribers Ormskirk samples so they can duplicate them.

[rosie99]

Just curious, are they duplicating lancashireOPC Ormskirk records.

I would think yes, very likely.  The Lancs jobs I have done for FreeReg have duplicated records either on LancsPC or on Family Search, or both.  My images have come from LDS (Family Search) anyway.  I would like to transcribe stuff which is not already available, so that I could think I was adding to the available data, but orders is orders .... 

It is a shame that volunteers time is spent doing what other volunteers have already done elsewhere, particularly with lancashire whose opc site is brilliant.  As you say orders are orders 

[BumbleB]

Going back a long time now, I seem to remember when I first started transcribing for FreeBMD, that I was sent samples to try out, rather than new un-transcribed pages.  Once I had "passed" the test, then I was allocated my own set of pages to work on.

Possibly the same for FreeREG 

[Andrew Tarr]

Going back a long time now, I seem to remember when I first started transcribing for FreeBMD, that I was sent samples to try out, rather than new un-transcribed pages.  Once I had "passed" the test, then I was allocated my own set of pages to work on.

Possibly the same for FreeREG 

Yes, that's what happened for me.  My supervisor asked what areas might be of special interest, and I began with central Manchester because my g-g-g-grandfather was born there in 1806.  But everything I have done has been accessible somewhere else, although not necessarily free.  I did suggest that I might do somewhere 'new', without apparent success.  I have the impression that there is a to-do list which needs to be completed.  Maybe as the images are from a third party someone will have done them somewhere ...

[clairec666]

Going back a long time now, I seem to remember when I first started transcribing for FreeBMD, that I was sent samples to try out, rather than new un-transcribed pages.  Once I had "passed" the test, then I was allocated my own set of pages to work on.

Possibly the same for FreeREG 

Yes, I think everyone is sent the same sample images. I was sent a batch each of baptisms, marriages and burials. Once I'd proved I was a competent transcriber (I had a couple of errors pointed out) I could get on with transcribing the places I want to do.

I suppose it depends on who your county co-ordinator is - some might prefer to assign people to transcribe a particular place, but I was allowed to choose.