A challenge for 2017 - become a transcriber for FreeREG

[coombs]

Jomot - I found WinREG a bit confusing at first. The tricky bit is knowing what info to enter when you start a new file - just ask your coordinator for help, then once you've got the file set up it's pretty straightforward. If you need any help, post a screenshot on here and I'll see if I can help.

I agree that it's annoying that you can't see the image in the same screen as your transcriptions. I flick between the two windows (using Alt-Tab) and that works for me. Or I suppose you could fit the two windows on the same screen.

Coombs - when I started, I was told I had to use my own SEAX subscription to get the images. Luckily I'd downloaded all the parishes I wanted before my subscription expired. I was advised to start with post-1813 records, but if you're confident with the earlier handwriting I guess you can tell the coordinator you want to start with that. I notice that Finchingfield has already been part-transcribed, but not updated since 2012, so hopefully you'll be able to take up the baton!

Yes it would be good to put Finchingfield online. There is a batch of 1728-1783 records so I may start on them first then do the pre 1728 ones, but before 1700 they are harder to read. I dont know if I can just insert the data into their system or will they make me use a very gobbledygook style database to upload them as others have discussed.

[Andrew Tarr]

I agree that it's annoying that you can't see the image in the same screen as your transcriptions. I flick between the two windows (using Alt-Tab) and that works for me. Or I suppose you could fit the two windows on the same screen.

As I said (or implied) above, I work with the WinReg spreadsheet (which uses almost the full width) in the top third of the screen, and the image in the remainder. The only hiccup occurs when the image needs to be dragged up or down, which depends on its quality, or to load the next page.

[coombs]

Maybe it is just me but it seems more Essex records have been put onto FreeREG in the last week or so. The other day the list did not automatically fill when Essex was selected as a county, usually a sign that more records are being uploaded. Kudos to the transcribers, you are making it easier.

I have sent an email to FreeREG offering to volunteer, so I can transcribe Finchingfield pre 1783.

[clairec666]

Maybe it is just me but it seems more Essex records have been put onto FreeREG in the last week or so. The other day the list did not automatically fill when Essex was selected as a county, usually a sign that more records are being uploaded.

Looking through the list of places that have been transcribed, there are quite a few that have been updated in 2017. Keep it up, Essex folks! SEAX subscriptions can be too expensive for some people, so the more transcriptions we can put online, the better.

[coombs]

I got a reply which said that I can subscribe to SEAX starting with a £10 fee then download all the scans of the parish I am interested in so I can then use them when I want, and I may need to have some training on how to transcribe.

[clairec666]

Brilliant, welcome to the FreeREG club!

For my "training", I was sent some PDFs of baptisms, marriages and burials to transcribe, all after-1813, nothing too taxing. It takes a little while to do, then you can get stuck in with Essex!

[coombs]

Brilliant, welcome to the FreeREG club!

For my "training", I was sent some PDFs of baptisms, marriages and burials to transcribe, all after-1813, nothing too taxing. It takes a little while to do, then you can get stuck in with Essex!

Thanks. The more the better, especially for Essex which is poorly covered on the IGI and FamilySearch. FreeREG seems to be the best place for Essex records now. I thought if I want more Essex records online, then why not jump on board. While it is not like making money, it is a kind of "gravy train", getting more Essex records online quicker.

[clairec666]

You'll get a great feeling when you see your first transcriptions go online

[coombs]

I am just now waiting for those PDF's to be sent to me so I can do a practise transcribe as part of my training. The email I got also said the unbreakable rule is type what you see.