A challenge for 2017 - become a transcriber for FreeREG

[3sillydogs]

Just in case I haven't convinced you to transcribe yet.... occasionally you come across a name that makes you titter

When you arbitrate you find yourself tittering a little more frequently especially with documents transcribed by folk who don't speak the language being transcribed.

[LizzieW]

I used to transcribe Crewlists (which are on FindMyPast as far as I know),  but when that came to an end I switched to transcribing Royal Navy WWI service records.  The idea is that the records are transcribed by 2 people and crosschecked, but although I've done over 900 now (about 100 a month which I don't think is many really), none of mine have been marked as crosschecked, although I can only see the last 90 records I've transcribed (or rejected if they didn't serve in WWI).  I feel I am so far ahead of others that I get a bit disheartened, so I haven't done many since Christmas.  I will get back to it though.

[3sillydogs]

LizzieW that may be because there are more transcribers than there are folk crosschecking the completed transcriptions. 

Don't get disheartened.   I have done a lot of transcribing so applied to do arbitrating as well in an effort to help get records online quicker.

[clairec666]

LizzieW that may be because there are more transcribers than there are folk crosschecking the completed transcriptions. 

You could be right.... when I'd been transcribing for Familysearch for a while, they emailed me frequently asking me to arbitrate, until finally I relented!

I remember Familysearch's program was quite good - you downloaded a "batch" and the image appeared in the same window as your transcriptions, and the program submitted your work to the server. I stopped because the program kept making my ancient computer crash! FreeREG is a bit more complicated (I had to get hold of the images from SEAX, and you have to submit your work through the website), but at least it doesn't crash my computer.

[3sillydogs]

I have been transcribing for Family Search for a few years now and also finally gave in and do arbitration as well. Makes a change from transcriptions 

Must admit I haven't had any issues with their programme on my aging pc .  I also do for Billion Graves which is nice because it's online transcriptions nothing to download. Apparently Family Search will be changing to a Web based indexing programme later this year.

[LizzieW]

LizzieW that may be because there are more transcribers than there are folk crosschecking the completed transcriptions.

You could be right but, perhaps in my ignorance, I assumed that when two people had transcribed the same data, the crosschecking would be instant and only if something was different would it need an arbitrator.  Obviously I'm giving too much credence to a government department computer program. 

[3sillydogs]

I don't know how it works with others but with Family Search once the record has been arbitrated the next step is it gets put on line.

[pharmaT]

I'm tempted, but I'm about to increase my hours at work by 24 and I'm already struggling to keep up with the housework.  My husband wants me to give up the family tree as well .

[rosie99]

I'm tempted, but I'm about to increase my hours at work by 24 and I'm already struggling to keep up with the housework.  My husband wants me to give up the family tree as well .

Don't give in to giving up the familytree because of OH, you need some interest of your own.    At least it is a hobby that you can pop in & out of when you have time, with no pressures and you can continue visiting rootschat as well     

Rosie