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FreeCEN - UK Census Online |
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"Bringing YOUR ancestors to YOU, free of charge!" |
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The task is to deliver to the project, transcribed, checked and validated census returns. You are entering the first stage, transcription. Someone else will check your work when you have finished it and your coordinator will take a look once you've completed the first few pages. There is no time limit, other than the two year loan period imposed by the LDS. However, it is obvious that if it takes 18 months to transcribe a piece, there is not much time left for the other two stages.
You have a number of fiche, each of which can hold up to 100 pages. However, up to one third of those pages will contain little or no data to be transcribed. How you do it is up to you. You can transcribe direct into the software or to paper or into spreadsheets. Please ask for alternatives if you do not have access to spreadsheet software. Use of a two-step approach may help to resolve problems involving personal and place names if you do half a dozen or more pages before inputting.
Each fiche contains a mass of data. Each fiche set is a 'piece' which has a number. The 1891 returns are classified as RG12, and the piece numbers are 4 digits long and found in the top right corner of each fiche. Each fiche has two place names; the registration district and sub district. There is also an LDS film number of no interest to us once we have got the fiche.
Each page has a page number, printed top right. There is also a folio number, stamped top right, usually outside the page margins. These numbers are stamped on every other page, the pages without the numbers take the folio number of the preceeding page. If the folio numbers are missing or impossible to read, move on, find one and extrapolate backwards. The enumeration district number is at the beginning of each round. If it isn't, move through the fiche till one is found and work backwards again. Take the time to look at the enumerator's round - it is often better written than the actual returns.
You must transcribe "as is". We do not transcribe all the data from the top edge of the page, for reasons to do with the software. The ecclesiastical parish is entered by the checker. Don't linger too long over something diffficult. Give it your best shot, flag it up as a query, and if necessary, leave a note for the checker.
If you are struggling with the handwriting, please don't give up. Give each line your best shot. Remember that every 20 or so pages, the enumerator will change, and so will the handwriting. Remember also, that behind you will come a checker and the validator.
Please, please, work through the tutorial, read the Help file and the FAQ, and printout the Field Descriptions and Spreadsheet Structure. It will pay off, because most questions that are asked are already answered in the Help file or the FAQ.
There is a "Helper's" list to ask questions, get answers and to receive advice of changes to the software and so on. There is also a "chat" list for more frivolous subjects. Technical questions will be answered by Bob Muchamore, an exec member via the Helper's list.
Please keep in touch with your coordinator. If you can't complete the full piece, send in what you've transcribed to date, tell your coordinator and return the fiche.