UK-CENSUS-HELPERS-L Archives

Archiver > UK-CENSUS-HELPERS > 2008-11 > 1227824692


From: "Terry Waters-Marsh" <>
Subject: Re: [UK-CENSUS-HELPERS] Checkers problems?
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:24:52 +1000
References: <87AE5A9912CE4F9792735A96928CDAAA@yourffab282a4d><492E7F3A.8090505@tiscali.co.uk>
In-Reply-To: <492E7F3A.8090505@tiscali.co.uk>


Dear Frank,

As a checker, there are several things which transcribers could do to help.

First, when there is a query with a surname, only the first entry of that
surname within the household needs to be queried. The WINCC and VALDREV
programs allow for the surname to be copied through the household so if the
original surname entry is corrected, it is a pain in the neck to remove all
the following surname query flags (sometimes up to a dozen in one
household).

Read the Field Descriptions files regularly. Many of the errors come from
not reading the Field Descriptions file. For instance, many leave blank
fields for Chapman Codes when none is enumerated. Where none is provided,
because there MUST be a three letter Chapman code entered in column T, use
UNK.

Please do not exceed the character limit for each field. For instance

Run the completed transcription through CSVCHCK before posting the
transcription to the coordinator. This program will spot obvious errors like
missing fields, incorrect character lengths and misspelt Chapman codes. For
instance, there is a 6-character limit on the relationship field (column L)
and yet I still get many transcriptions with entries like servant, brother,
housemaid, housekeeper, and so on which need to be abbreviated to 6
characters.

Overall, almost every transcriber does a great job and does so without
asking for much assistance. I am constantly in awe of the skill and
dedication of our transcribers who are the backbone of this great project
and hold each and every one in high esteem.

Warmest regards,

Terry Waters-Marsh
FreeCEN Country Coordinator for ENGLAND
FreeCEN County Coordinator for SOMERSET (1891), WILTSHIRE, BEDFORDSHIRE,
BERKSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, CHESHIRE, DORSET, GLOUCESTERSHIRE,
HERTFORDSHIRE, HUNTINGDONSHIRE, WARWICKSHIRE, WORCESTERSHIRE.
Visit the FreeCEN web site at http://www.freecen.org.uk
Somerset web page http://freepages.genealogy.rootswseb.com/~somtcen
Wiltshire web page http://www.pope-genealogy.me.uk/nwop.htm
Warwickshire web page
http://www.hunimex.com/warwick/freecens/1861/index_1861.html
Worcestershire web page http://www.hunimex.com/warwick/wo-a-p.html
OPC for Avebury, Wiltshire
General census information
http://www.british-genealogy.com/resources/census/index.htm

"To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without
a root." (Chinese Proverb)


-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of Frank W
Sent: Thursday, 27 November 2008 9:07 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [UK-CENSUS-HELPERS] Checkers problems?

I was interested to read Judith's grumble about marital status, and I
wonder if other Checkers have similar problems or grumbles about other
items?

Having done several transcriptions I have often wondered what the
Checkers reactions might have been, and whether I have made their jobs
easier or more difficult.

There is not normally any direct feedback from Checker to Transcriber,
but for a Coordinator's view of the FreeCEN processes I would recommend
Michael J McCormick's blogs at:
http://medeschole.blogspot.com/
Try starting with 2005.

Regards.........Frank W

-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to
with the word 'unsubscribe' without
the quotes in the subject and the body of the message


This thread: