A year ago I started transcribing for FreeREG. Despite not spending as much time transcribing as I could have done, I've completed nearly 6000 records. It's only a tiny proportion of the 37 million records in FreeREG's database, but hopefully my transcriptions have helped someone.
So here's my mission for 2017:
1) Transcribe more! Finish the post-1813 records for Burnham-on-Crouch, and either tackle the earlier records (aaah!) or start a new parish
2) Recruit more transcribers
If you've ever thought about transcribing, why not give it a go? If you've been researching your own tree for a while, you'll be used to the handwriting (yes, you'll find the occasional bit of appalling scrawl, but you can always post it on rootschat for others to help you with). It feels great to know that you're putting good-quality transcriptions online, and helping others with their research.
My tips - volunteer for a part of the country you're familiar with, pick a small parish to start with (so you feel you're making progress) and start with post-1813 baptisms and burials (standardised forms and generally easier handwriting).
I find WinREG really easy to use, and it's easy to upload your work (and importantly, you can make corrections and re-submit it).
Of course it's not just FreeREG - there are other projects to get involved in too.
So who's in?
