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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Somerset => Topic started by: sheppardj on Friday 05 January 07 01:20 GMT (UK)

Title: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: sheppardj on Friday 05 January 07 01:20 GMT (UK)
Seven years ago the Online Parish Clerk program began in Cornwall.  Since then similar projects have been established in Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Lancashire  In Dec 2006 a project was undertaken for Somerset. The aim of the scheme is to further research in family, local, social and economic history by making freely available records relating to a parish.

The Somerset OPC project is currently focused on, but not restricted to the parishes within the Archdeaconry of Taunton.  We are still very much in an evolutionary phase and our website and database at wsom-opc.org.uk  (http://wsom-opc.org.uk) is growing steadily as new data is donated and volunteers come forward to adopt a parish as an Online Parish Clerk or OPC. Transciption of parish records is encourages but this is not essential to becoming an OPC. 

A volunteer will find the work rewarding, it may help identify further sources for research and will generally add to your knowledge of parish life through the centuries. If you work on a parish where you have ancestors, you may well add to your knowledge of your own family links as a result of your efforts.

Are you interested in joining the team? If so, please contact me and I can give you further details. If you have transcriptions you would like to donate to the site, but feel unable/unwilling to be an OPC,  please let us know. All donations of transcripts, photographs, articles and general historical information are very welcome.
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: las camelias on Saturday 21 April 07 10:53 BST (UK)
Anthony,
I read with interest your post about the OPC project in general.  You have listed Wiltshire as being involved.  I have tried to contact the co-ordinator for Wiltshire (David Brown) without success over the past few months, as have several other interested transcribers.  He seems to have gone to ground.  Do you have a contact for the Wiltshire project?  I have time to spare and would love to transcribe for my ancestral villages in Wiltshire, but am at a loss as to who to contact.
Jan
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: sheppardj on Saturday 21 April 07 12:14 BST (UK)
Jan

As I mentioned in an email to you earlier this month the Wiltshire OPC coordinator has indeed gone to ground or at least he is not answering any emails.  Several of his fellow OPC’s have attempted to get in touch with no reply.  That said I would not let it deter you from your transcriptions.  I’m sure the OPC projects from neighbouring counties, Somerset, for one would be pleased to give them a home.

Jim
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: AngelaR on Wednesday 25 April 07 14:25 BST (UK)
Just a thought - FreeReg (http://www.freereg.org.uk/) are also looking for transcribers. I've been doing some of my ancestors' villages for Somerset and am about to start on my Wiltshire people.

Although there isn't a county co-ordinator for Wiltshire at the moment, Dave Newbury, the co-ordinator for England, is very helpful if you contact him.

Another avenue for donating transcriptions is the county Family History Society - they are usually very pleased to get transcriptions!

Best wishes

Angela
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: syljun on Thursday 08 November 07 15:35 GMT (UK)
Could you please explain what it would entail to be a OPC. I have been unable to obtain any info. of Parish Records (apart from visiting Taunton Record Office which is now hard for me) of the Village of Stawell where my Ancestors came from and would be glad to help if possible to bring Parish Records on line. Regards Syljun
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Old Bristolian on Thursday 08 November 07 15:56 GMT (UK)
Hi Syljun
I've just taken on Chewton Mendip, Somerset as an OPC. The idea really is to act as a conduit for research for that parish if requested. It obviously makes sense to have some interest and access to the records. I've obtained the PRs on fiche to be able to look up for others & at the same time I intend to start transcribing them for FreeReg. I'm also involved in transribing the Census for FreeCen, although these tasks are not prerequisites as I understand it.
I'm just hoping that by widening my research from just my ancestors to the whole parish, I should be able to get a clearer history of the area to put my family in context, & help others who cannot easily access the records

Steve
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: syljun on Thursday 08 November 07 18:44 GMT (UK)
Hi Steve,
Sounds very worthwhile.  How do I go about obtaining Michrofiche records and do you have to have your own reader or do you use the Library. Be grateful for any advice as how to start. Regards Syljun
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: AngelaR on Friday 09 November 07 08:43 GMT (UK)
Hi Syljun

Steve may already have replied to you privately, but I am just sending you the contact details of the (very nice) coordinator for Freereg for Somerset, in case you fancy transcribing parish records for display there.

I've certainly found transcribing a whole parish worth of records really helpful to my own research as you get a feel for the families there and how they interrelated  ;D Originally, I got my copies of the microfiche by ordering directly from the Record Office at Taunton, but if you order them via Freereg, you will avoid the 9 pound admin charge. Fiche are 2 pounds each at the present time.

I got a really cheap reader from a local business, but there are loads of them on ebay, or you could use the local library to start with.

Good luck and have fun!

Angela
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Old Bristolian on Friday 09 November 07 09:52 GMT (UK)
Hi Syljun

I see AngelaR has answered your enquiries re starting as an OPC. I purchased a fiche reader via Ebay, although I do have access to others via businesses I know, but,  as I work, I have to do most of my researches in the evenings/weekends.
If you start transcribing for FreeCen by the way, they provide the records foc on a CD.
It really is very satisfying work, if you have the time, so take the plunge!

Steve
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: syljun on Friday 09 November 07 10:49 GMT (UK)
Hi Angela and Steve, Thank you both for your advice. I had thought of looking on e-bay for a fiche reader and your advice as to Freecen sounds good. I have been stuck for some time on my family from Somerset and no records for Stawell seem to be available so lets hope I can be of some help to
other Researchers and go on to other places if all goes well. Thanks again, Syljun
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: kingskerswell on Wednesday 26 November 08 19:12 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Wiltshire OPC has been relaunched at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/penterprises/index.html 

HTH
Kingskerswell
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Trevor Paul on Saturday 17 January 09 16:39 GMT (UK)
I have transcripts of Baptisms, Marriages and burials for: Wootton Courteney, Selworthy, Cutcombe, Luccombe and Stoke Pero. They were purchased from the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society. Are these any use. Can we use them.  Regards Trevor Inman
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 28 September 10 18:10 BST (UK)
Just visited the Somerset on line parish clerk site, and found the following:"Due to unforeseen data base difficulties this site will be unavailable until further notice" Lincolnshire site folded some time ago, and Wiltshire has not been updated lately, with impending cuts in national and local government services how likely is it we shall be able to access records in the near future? Say in 12 months time. By the way what is the problem with Somerset data base?
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: las camelias on Tuesday 28 September 10 18:37 BST (UK)
To Redroger and everyone everywhere,

Wiltshire OPC has most certainly has been updated lately - almost every day for the past two/three months since our new site was launched - it is extremely active!  If anyone wishes to join, whether they live in the county or not, just get in touch.  It's great fun!

Visit us at www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/information
 
LC
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Old Bristolian on Thursday 30 September 10 09:38 BST (UK)
Somerset OPC site has closed temporarily to carry out repairs & reconstruction. The OPCs are still busying away on transcriptions and the site should be online again soon

Steve
Chewton Mendip OPC
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Redroger on Friday 01 October 10 11:53 BST (UK)
Pleased to hear the good news from both Somerset and Wiltshire. Hopefully someone will resurrect the Lincolnshire OPC?
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Maggiemcp on Wednesday 05 January 11 14:35 GMT (UK)
Could you please explain what it would entail to be a OPC. I have been unable to obtain any info. of Parish Records (apart from visiting Taunton Record Office which is now hard for me) of the Village of Stawell where my Ancestors came from and would be glad to help if possible to bring Parish Records on line. Regards Syljun

Hi, I recently saw your search for a Sarah Bargery who I believe could be my grandfather's sister.  His name was William Bargery born 1863, with a brother Henry Charles born 1859. Their mother, also Sarah re-married a James Gamblin.  Does this ring any bells - I hope it does.
Maggiemcp
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Billyblue on Sunday 15 May 11 13:32 BST (UK)
Hi Maggiemcp
If no-one has answered you by PM, it may be an idea to get the moderator to move this query.
And put something in the title to say what you are looking for.
I don't think many people would routinely visit this particular thread on the offchance of finding a specific enquiry.

Regards
Dawn M
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Redroger on Sunday 15 May 11 19:12 BST (UK)
Pleased to hear the good news from both Somerset and Wiltshire. Hopefully someone will resurrect the Lincolnshire OPC?
Don't forget the new Lincolnshire website, see separate thread about it!
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Heather24Anne on Wednesday 01 June 11 08:30 BST (UK)
Seven years ago the Online Parish Clerk program began in Cornwall.  Since then similar projects have been established in Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Lancashire  In Dec 2006 a project was undertaken for Somerset. The aim of the scheme is to further research in family, local, social and economic history by making freely available records relating to a parish.

The Somerset OPC project is currently focused on, but not restricted to the parishes within the Archdeaconry of Taunton.  We are still very much in an evolutionary phase and our website and database at wsom-opc.org.uk  (http://wsom-opc.org.uk) is growing steadily as new data is donated and volunteers come forward to adopt a parish as an Online Parish Clerk or OPC. Transciption of parish records is encourages but this is not essential to becoming an OPC. 

A volunteer will find the work rewarding, it may help identify further sources for research and will generally add to your knowledge of parish life through the centuries. If you work on a parish where you have ancestors, you may well add to your knowledge of your own family links as a result of your efforts.

Are you interested in joining the team? If so, please contact me and I can give you further details. If you have transcriptions you would like to donate to the site, but feel unable/unwilling to be an OPC,  please let us know. All donations of transcripts, photographs, articles and general historical information are very welcome.

I have tried using this one - I have found some ancesters but not as many as I hoped.
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Maggiemcp on Wednesday 01 June 11 09:28 BST (UK)
Hi, I would be interested in transcribing parish records.  Currently I am working for FreeBMD and transcribing 1845 births, June quarter.  Obviously as some of my ancesters came from Chard in Somerset that is the area I am most insterested in.
Maggie
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Heather24Anne on Wednesday 01 June 11 12:43 BST (UK)
Seven years ago the Online Parish Clerk program began in Cornwall.  Since then similar projects have been established in Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Lancashire  In Dec 2006 a project was undertaken for Somerset. The aim of the scheme is to further research in family, local, social and economic history by making freely available records relating to a parish.

The Somerset OPC project is currently focused on, but not restricted to the parishes within the Archdeaconry of Taunton.  We are still very much in an evolutionary phase and our website and database at wsom-opc.org.uk  (http://wsom-opc.org.uk) is growing steadily as new data is donated and volunteers come forward to adopt a parish as an Online Parish Clerk or OPC. Transciption of parish records is encourages but this is not essential to becoming an OPC. 

A volunteer will find the work rewarding, it may help identify further sources for research and will generally add to your knowledge of parish life through the centuries. If you work on a parish where you have ancestors, you may well add to your knowledge of your own family links as a result of your efforts.

Are you interested in joining the team? If so, please contact me and I can give you further details. If you have transcriptions you would like to donate to the site, but feel unable/unwilling to be an OPC,  please let us know. All donations of transcripts, photographs, articles and general historical information are very welcome.

How does the volunteering work?  I don't have a computer, so would need to use a student computer at work or the public library, althoug htaht has a time limit of 2 hours and limited opening hours.  I might have some time in July and August, but it all depends on the logistics.  My interest is English Combe, Southstoke, and Hinton Charterhouse as well as Bradford-on-Avon and Corsham.
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Redroger on Thursday 02 June 11 14:18 BST (UK)
When does Somerset OPC expect to transcribe the parishes in the Horethorne area please?
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: sheppardj on Thursday 02 June 11 15:49 BST (UK)
The quick answer is when someone volunteers to take on the job!
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Redroger on Thursday 02 June 11 16:10 BST (UK)
The quick answer is when someone volunteers to take on the job!
Just wish I had the time.
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: sheppardj on Thursday 02 June 11 17:11 BST (UK)
You could also check directly with Ian Sage the current project coordinator (coord@wsom-opc.org.uk) to see what is in the pipeline.  Also check FreeReg (http://www.freereg.org.uk/parishes/som/frontpage.shtml) as we are working closely with them on transcribing the parish registers.

Jim
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Redroger on Friday 03 June 11 15:29 BST (UK)
Thanks for the tips, will investigate further.
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Maggiemcp on Tuesday 21 June 11 14:53 BST (UK)
Hi, I am interested in helping transcibe this area.  Maggie
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: sharon1952 on Wednesday 06 July 11 11:11 BST (UK)
I would like to volunteer for St James Parish Bath, I have transcribed before for Family Search. I have an interest in the Bath area.
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Heather24Anne on Wednesday 06 July 11 12:57 BST (UK)
Email contact for transcribing is:

somersetcoord[at]aol.co.uk
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: sheppardj on Wednesday 06 July 11 13:12 BST (UK)
This IS NOT the contact address from the Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project.  The correct email address is coord[color=Blue][at][/color]wsom-opc.org.uk.  Please see our website contact page at: http://wsom-opc.org.uk/index.php?id=51

Jim
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: sharon1952 on Wednesday 06 July 11 13:43 BST (UK)
Thank you will contact. Sharon
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 06 July 11 15:28 BST (UK)
Thanks for clarification
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: philheeks on Friday 23 May 14 11:03 BST (UK)
Personally I rely on the site owned by Ian Sage a lot when searching for Somerset records as he has links to all the free sites with transcripts of parish registers in the county - I may be wrong but his site is a very great help

All the very best

Phil
Title: Re: Somerset Online Parish Clerk Project
Post by: Redroger on Friday 23 May 14 21:35 BST (UK)
Personally I rely on the site owned by Ian Sage a lot when searching for Somerset records as he has links to all the free sites with transcripts of parish registers in the county - I may be wrong but his site is a very great help

All the very best

Phil
Useful Phil, thanks.