Hi folks, I am writing to the list with an update about the FreeCen HEF 1871 census transcription project. The project got underway in September of 2001, & we have the microfilms on loan from the LDS until August of 2003. Thus, timewise we are nearly half way through the project yet there is still much to be done. The status of the project can always be viewed from the following website: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~slkarner/FreeCen/ As was indicated in previous messages, we are in the process of sending out the census Pieces to our volunteers. Of the 50 Pieces that we shall transcribe for HEF, 24 are currently with volunteers and are being transcribed. Several more volunteers have recently offered their assistance & thus a few more Piece numbers may be accounted for. Keep in mind that we will be tackling a few Pieces from counties that border HEF. Would they interest you? Transcription is only the first phase of the project work. Once a Piece is transcribed, we need volunteers to act as Checkers thereby verifying the accuracy of the transcriptions. I have received word from a few volunteers that their Piece being transcribed is nearing completion. Thus, we will be seeking Checkers for these Pieces soon. We already have a few volunteers pencilled in as Checkers for certain HEF 1871 census Piece numbers. There is also a third stage (Validation) before the census details would appear on the official FreeCen searchable database - which you may read about at the FreeCen site http://freecen.rootsweb.com/ . However, we will take steps to upload "unofficial" transcription results for viewing on the web prior to the Validation stage. The response to the previous pleas for volunteers was very positive. However, as you can see from the above numbers we still have much work to be done. Remember...the aim of the FreeCen project is to bring the contents of the UK censuses to everyone via the internet - free for the user! Yet, this cannot be achieved without our precious volunteers who have so generously and graciously donated time and resources to the project. Would you consider volunteering for the project? We will provide the software, the census microfilms, and troubleshooting support to all volunteers. If you have access to a microfilm/microfiche reader (or even a home scanner), a computer, and some spare time... won't you consider joining the project? Your help will be appreciated by us, and ultimately by the masses!! Cheers to all, Steve Karner (sugarglider@cox-internet.com Texas, USA) ----- »» HFHS member #1610 »» HEF co-ordinator for FreeCen (http://freecen.rootsweb.com) Have you thought about being a volunteer? It's easier than you'd think. See the FreeCEN webpages for details (or email me). »» HEF FreeCen pages at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~slkarner/FreeCen/ »» HEF parish register pages at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~slkarner/HEF_Parish/ In HEF I like EDWARDS, GARDINER, HODGES, STANWAY, SUNDERLAND, TUNSTALL, & WATKINS In STS and SAL I like TUNSTALL In WOR I like BARNES, FARMER, & STRANGE - it's all in the blood!