I just found this on another forum and I thought if you don't know about it already, then try this out. UCL department of Geography have got a free Surname Profiler online. http://www.spatial-literacy.org/uclnames/Surnames.aspx regards Pam

I have just completed a transcription which has an entry from a hand-written record at the bottom of the page that did not contain a District although it did have a page number. I am using Win BMD. I interpreted the instructions in the Beginner's page to say that a "?" is used when a column is completely missing. However, Free BMD will not accept the "defective" file. In my few years of transcribing I have usually found ways to get around such problems; however, this one has been baffled. I have also tried using the comma after "?" as well as underscores and the asterisk with and without commas. Help please Carol Haycock (609)

Hi I thought you might be interested in the following Bouquet from a Distant Cousin of mine who also teaches on Family History. From Kerry Farmer, Australia: It's a wonderful resource that I have used for years and it continues to get better and better. All those even vaguely related to the project need huge congrats. Regards Jeremy

Quoting Roger Lewis <roger@lewisrg-jn.supanet.com>: > I know this point has been raised, Indeed so. > but it does seem a pity that you cannot > use the scans that Ancestry are using at the moment of the BMD. They are > much clearer than the ones I have to transcribe from, and in some cases are > identical to yours, I have checked. Whilst in other cases they are not, having been "cleaned", which renders them unsuitable. > I feel that the project could be completed much quicker and with more > accuracy and less omissions due to unreadable scans. After all Ancestry are > using your FreeBMD so it is in their interests. We are very interested in having use of the original (unimproved) scans that Ancestry are using, and it is a matter which could hardly fail to come up in our regular dialogue with Ancestry. Rest assured that we are fully aware of all the issues here, and that we will continue to seek to secure appropriate source for transcription. I must ask, however, that a line is drawn under any further discussion of these scans. -- Dave Mayall ---------------------------------------------- This mail sent through http://www.ukonline.net

Roger, You would be advised to look through the Archives of the other lists I for one fully support the view that transcriptions should be made from scans that have not been doctored to make them appear better than they really are (eg the obliteration of vital tell tails). And of course we ahould not be taking scans from Ancestry for transcription purposes without their permission. This is better dealt with on the Discuss list. Jeremy -----Original Message----- From: Roger Lewis [mailto:roger@lewisrg-jn.supanet.com] Sent: 25 January 2006 17:12 To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Scans I know this point has been raised, but it does seem a pity that you cannot use the scans that Ancestry are using at the moment of the BMD. They are much clearer than the ones I have to transcribe from, and in some cases are identical to yours, I have checked. I feel that the project could be completed much quicker and with more accuracy and less omissions due to unreadable scans. After all Ancestry are using your FreeBMD so it is in their interests. Regards Roger Lewis Scan 2 transcriber. This message was checked by MailScan for WorkgroupMail. www.workgroupmail.com ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== Want to help FreeBMD? Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. ============================== Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx

I know this point has been raised, but it does seem a pity that you cannot use the scans that Ancestry are using at the moment of the BMD. They are much clearer than the ones I have to transcribe from, and in some cases are identical to yours, I have checked. I feel that the project could be completed much quicker and with more accuracy and less omissions due to unreadable scans. After all Ancestry are using your FreeBMD so it is in their interests. Regards Roger Lewis Scan 2 transcriber. This message was checked by MailScan for WorkgroupMail. www.workgroupmail.com

Quoting Richard Oliver <r.oliver@arrakis.es>: > Somebody please remind me.... > > I've been checking on some of my own uploads to FreeBMD. From June 1862 > Deaths, page 581 (40 entries) I chose to search for > 'Crisp,Sarah,,Blything,4a,410' (uploaded 28th November) and I find the > District name (only) is in italics. Why, have I done something wrong ? Not as such. The database has flagged the district because the page number is outside the expected range for Blything. (415-425). This might be down to a mistranscription, or to an error in the index. We italicize it to warn the searcher that they need to take special care to check the index themself before ordering a certificate. Because of the high incidence of such page range errors, we don't push them back to transcribers (because transcribers would spend an awful lot of time rechecking things that were not actually errors). In this case, having looked at out image and the 1837online image, I believe that the page number should actually be 416 -- Dave Mayall ---------------------------------------------- This mail sent through http://www.ukonline.net

Hi Richard The entry is in italics because the Page Number is out of sequence with the surrounding entries. Page 410 falls within the range of entries for Plomsgate Typically the Range for Blything within that quarter should be within the range 415 to 425 I had a look at the scan and that shows a Black Vertical line through the last digit which rather than a 0 could represent perhaps a 6 or 8? Regards, Jeremy -----Original Message----- From: Richard Oliver [mailto:r.oliver@arrakis.es] Sent: 24 January 2006 21:50 To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Database entry partly in italics... Somebody please remind me.... I've been checking on some of my own uploads to FreeBMD. From June 1862 Deaths, page 581 (40 entries) I chose to search for 'Crisp,Sarah,,Blything,4a,410' (uploaded 28th November) and I find the District name (only) is in italics. Why, have I done something wrong ? Richard Oliver Madrid, Spain r.oliver@arrakis.es ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== FreeBMD Transcribers homepage http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

If you click on the district it tells you why. Then it is worth double-checking - I looked at the scan and thought the page number looked more like 416 than 410. What do you think? Christine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Oliver" <r.oliver@arrakis.es> To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 9:49 PM Subject: Database entry partly in italics... > Somebody please remind me.... > > I've been checking on some of my own uploads to FreeBMD. From June 1862 > Deaths, page 581 (40 entries) I chose to search for > 'Crisp,Sarah,,Blything,4a,410' (uploaded 28th November) and I find the > District name (only) is in italics. Why, have I done something wrong ? > > Richard Oliver > Madrid, Spain > r.oliver@arrakis.es > > > > > > > ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== > FreeBMD Transcribers homepage > http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

I agree it looks the same as the capital B's on the page but if it is supposed to be page 1034B why has the B been placed between the lines and not after the 4? What does the squiggle denote? Leonard Scan2 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric Archer" <e_r_archer@hotmail.com> To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 5:55 PM Subject: RE: Entry Query : Hi Leonard : : I read this as 1034B. Looking further up the page I see a couple of : instances of the transcribers capital B and it looks the same to me. : : Eric : : : : >From: "L&CE Mackrill" <fishes2@bigpond.net.au> : >Reply-To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com : >To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com : >Subject: Entry Query : >Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:56:30 +1000 : > : >Marriages 1858 Fourth Quarter page 90. : >Between SLANEY, Mary and SLANN, Jane Elizabeth in the page column ther is a : >squiggle with either capital B or the number 13. Could anyone tell me how I : >should handle this please. : > : >Leonard Mackrill : >Scan2

I agree it looks the same as the capital B's on the page but if it is supposed to be page 1034B why has the B been placed between the lines and not after the 4? What does the squiggle denote? Leonard Scan2 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric Archer" <e_r_archer@hotmail.com> To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 5:55 PM Subject: RE: Entry Query : Hi Leonard : : I read this as 1034B. Looking further up the page I see a couple of : instances of the transcribers capital B and it looks the same to me. : : Eric : : : : >From: "L&CE Mackrill" <fishes2@bigpond.net.au> : >Reply-To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com : >To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com : >Subject: Entry Query : >Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:56:30 +1000 : > : >Marriages 1858 Fourth Quarter page 90. : >Between SLANEY, Mary and SLANN, Jane Elizabeth in the page column ther is a : >squiggle with either capital B or the number 13. Could anyone tell me how I : >should handle this please. : > : >Leonard Mackrill : >Scan2 : > : > : >==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== : >Need to get a fast answer to your transcribing problems? Go to the : >Transcribers Knowledge Base at http://FreeBMD.RootsWeb.com/vol_faq.html : > : >============================== : >Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the : >areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. : >Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx : > : : _________________________________________________________________ : Are you using the latest version of MSN Messenger? Download MSN Messenger : 7.5 today! http://messenger.msn.co.uk : : : ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== : FreeBMD Transcribers homepage : http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml : : ============================== : Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the : last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx : :

Quoting Keith Simspon <Keylotus@ukonline.co.uk>: > I have a transcriber who has tried to upload her transcription but keeps > getting the error code 522. Any help please. Can you get the error message in full, rather than just the number? -- Dave Mayall ---------------------------------------------- This mail sent through http://www.ukonline.net

Marriages 1858 Fourth Quarter page 90. Between SLANEY, Mary and SLANN, Jane Elizabeth in the page column ther is a squiggle with either capital B or the number 13. Could anyone tell me how I should handle this please. Leonard Mackrill Scan2

I have a transcriber who has tried to upload her transcription but keeps getting the error code 522. Any help please. Keith

Somebody please remind me.... I've been checking on some of my own uploads to FreeBMD. From June 1862 Deaths, page 581 (40 entries) I chose to search for 'Crisp,Sarah,,Blything,4a,410' (uploaded 28th November) and I find the District name (only) is in italics. Why, have I done something wrong ? Richard Oliver Madrid, Spain r.oliver@arrakis.es

Dear Peter, I couldn't help responding to this, you can help my syndicate if you like!! Cheers John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Goggin" <prgoggin@swiftdsl.com.au> To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 11:49 PM Subject: RE: 'black holes' >I noted your e-mail about deaths in 1864. I already transcribe (done > about 20,000). Are these records handwritten or typed (I prefer > handwritten). In any case I am willing to transcribe a few sheets for > you. > > Regards > > > Peter Goggin > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Allan Raymond [mailto:allan_raymond@btinternet.com] > Sent: Tuesday, 24 January 2006 9:38 AM > To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: 'black holes' > > Mike > > Jeff Coleman has pointed to you to the standard response to your query > plus Dave Mayall has just > responded in a similar vein. > > The "black holes" for births are now the top of my agenda and as soon as > scans become available I > can start allocating these to Syndicates. I have no date at the moment > for arrival of these scans. > > However, I'm sure there is some poor soul looking to have the "black > holes" for 1864 June/Sep Deaths > filled in. > > With one of my other hats on I look after a number of "Orphan" > Syndicates with the aim of filling in > some of the "black holes". > > You are most welcome to help me out in transcribing 1864 June/Sep > Deaths, just let me know off list > if you are interested? > > I'm only taking on "experienced" volunteers to help out my "Orphan" > syndicates and you fall into > this category. > > You can still continue with your existing Syndicate(s) whilst helping me > out. > > Allan Raymond > FreeBMD Co-ordinator of Syndicates > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Michael Canny" <mcanny1931@yahoo.co.uk> > To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: 23 January 2006 19:08 > Subject: 'black holes' > > > Hi, > > Can someone please enlighten me as to why we are transcribing records > well into the 20th century > while there remain a number of 'holes' in the 19th century > transcriptions? For example there are > almost no births transcribed for the period 1854 to 1858 - and I'm sure > I'm not the only one whose > research is handicapped by this sort of gap. When I began transcribing, > I had the impression that > the first priority for FreeBMD was to complete the pre-1901 data - has > this changed? > > Thanks > > Mike > > > --------------------------------- > Yahoo! Messenger NEW - crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with > voicemail > > > ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== > List archives > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/freebmd-admins > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx > > > > ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== > Want to help FreeBMD? > Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/236 - Release Date: > 20/01/2006 > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/236 - Release Date: > 20/01/2006 > > > > ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== > Subscribe/Unsubscribe instructions and Archives > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/FreeUK/FreeBMD-Admins.html > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx > >

Dave, You are seeing it from the viewpoint of someone who uses that system regularly or had a hand in designing it. A first timer reading those instructions can, and will, get confused very easily. They are NOT clear; on modern sized screens the text is crowded and confused and even if you DO read all the instructions, that particular section is NOT easily identified. I made the comment when I first read (and missed) this section - if any of my programmers EVER submitted a screen design to me for a web page and 'insisted' this is how it should be, he (or she) would be looking for a new job straight away. This is a very narrow minded view that appears to come from someone or some group who know everything and can never accept that maybe, just maybe, they are wrong. Stephen Rowe RaceTime / RaceNews Melbourne Australia Family Web: http://rowe.racetime.com.au web : http://www.racetime.com.au email: stephen@racetime.com.au -----Original Message----- From: Dave Mayall [mailto:david.mayall@ukonline.co.uk] Sent: Tuesday, 24 January 2006 9:05 AM To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: {not a subscriber} Attempted Correction Failure In a word.... "no" The whole point of the box is that it shouldn't be easy to see at a glance. It should only be spotted by somebody who is reading the instructions. Trust me, if you had to read through the utter dross that used to be submitted by people who ignored the instructions, you'd see the point.

Dave, With respect - the way these lists are distributed and named, one really has no idea which list you are answering to or from. However, given the number of 'complaints' lately maybe it is about time the 'admins' started to moderate or censor them before they go out. That should stop the complaints, shouldn't it? Stephen Rowe RaceTime / RaceNews Melbourne Australia Family Web: http://rowe.racetime.com.au web : http://www.racetime.com.au email: stephen@racetime.com.au -----Original Message----- From: Dave Mayall [mailto:david.mayall@ukonline.co.uk] Sent: Tuesday, 24 January 2006 9:08 AM To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: {not a subscriber} Attempted Correction Failure Quoting Stephen Rowe <stephen@racetime.com.au>: > This has been brought up before with FreeBMD but their response then, > as it will no doubt be this time, was 'If you can't find it you > shouldn't be using it' > > Yes I know - a callous answer, but the distinct impression I got when > I was given this reply before was 'we designed this - don't question > what we have done' Not at all. However, if you wish to question and argue the merits of what has been done, the Admins list is not the place. Such discussions must take place on the discuss list.

Leonard Did you mean to send this since I already received it earlier today. I think that Robin has answered your question also. Eric >From: "L&CE Mackrill" <fishes2@bigpond.net.au> >Reply-To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com >To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: Entry Query >Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 18:10:26 +1000 > >I agree it looks the same as the capital B's on the page but if it is >supposed to be page 1034B why has the B been placed between the lines and >not after the 4? What does the squiggle denote? > >Leonard >Scan2 >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Eric Archer" <e_r_archer@hotmail.com> >To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 5:55 PM >Subject: RE: Entry Query > > >: Hi Leonard >: >: I read this as 1034B. Looking further up the page I see a couple of >: instances of the transcribers capital B and it looks the same to me. >: >: Eric >: >: >: >: >From: "L&CE Mackrill" <fishes2@bigpond.net.au> >: >Reply-To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com >: >To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com >: >Subject: Entry Query >: >Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:56:30 +1000 >: > >: >Marriages 1858 Fourth Quarter page 90. >: >Between SLANEY, Mary and SLANN, Jane Elizabeth in the page column ther >is >a >: >squiggle with either capital B or the number 13. Could anyone tell me >how >I >: >should handle this please. >: > >: >Leonard Mackrill >: >Scan2 >: > >: > >: >==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >: >Need to get a fast answer to your transcribing problems? Go to the >: >Transcribers Knowledge Base at http://FreeBMD.RootsWeb.com/vol_faq.html >: > >: >============================== >: >Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the >: >areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. >: >Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx >: > >: >: _________________________________________________________________ >: Are you using the latest version of MSN Messenger? Download MSN Messenger >: 7.5 today! http://messenger.msn.co.uk >: >: >: ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >: FreeBMD Transcribers homepage >: http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml >: >: ============================== >: Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the >: last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: >http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >: >: > > > >==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >Want to help FreeBMD? >Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. > >============================== >View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find >marriage announcements and more. Learn more: >http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx > _________________________________________________________________ Be the first to hear what's new at MSN - sign up to our free newsletters! http://www.msn.co.uk/newsletters

Hi, I am interested in transcribing a few as well, I have already done about 60000 if that classifies one as experienced. Regards ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Goggin" <prgoggin@swiftdsl.com.au> To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 11:49 PM Subject: RE: 'black holes' >I noted your e-mail about deaths in 1864. I already transcribe (done > about 20,000). Are these records handwritten or typed (I prefer > handwritten). In any case I am willing to transcribe a few sheets for > you. > > Regards > > > Peter Goggin > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Allan Raymond [mailto:allan_raymond@btinternet.com] > Sent: Tuesday, 24 January 2006 9:38 AM > To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: 'black holes' > > Mike > > Jeff Coleman has pointed to you to the standard response to your query > plus Dave Mayall has just > responded in a similar vein. > > The "black holes" for births are now the top of my agenda and as soon as > scans become available I > can start allocating these to Syndicates. I have no date at the moment > for arrival of these scans. > > However, I'm sure there is some poor soul looking to have the "black > holes" for 1864 June/Sep Deaths > filled in. > > With one of my other hats on I look after a number of "Orphan" > Syndicates with the aim of filling in > some of the "black holes". > > You are most welcome to help me out in transcribing 1864 June/Sep > Deaths, just let me know off list > if you are interested? > > I'm only taking on "experienced" volunteers to help out my "Orphan" > syndicates and you fall into > this category. > > You can still continue with your existing Syndicate(s) whilst helping me > out. > > Allan Raymond > FreeBMD Co-ordinator of Syndicates > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Michael Canny" <mcanny1931@yahoo.co.uk> > To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: 23 January 2006 19:08 > Subject: 'black holes' > > > Hi, > > Can someone please enlighten me as to why we are transcribing records > well into the 20th century > while there remain a number of 'holes' in the 19th century > transcriptions? For example there are > almost no births transcribed for the period 1854 to 1858 - and I'm sure > I'm not the only one whose > research is handicapped by this sort of gap. When I began transcribing, > I had the impression that > the first priority for FreeBMD was to complete the pre-1901 data - has > this changed? > > Thanks > > Mike > > > --------------------------------- > Yahoo! Messenger NEW - crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with > voicemail > > > ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== > List archives > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/freebmd-admins > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx > > > > ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== > Want to help FreeBMD? > Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/236 - Release Date: > 20/01/2006 > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/236 - Release Date: > 20/01/2006 > > > > ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== > Subscribe/Unsubscribe instructions and Archives > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/FreeUK/FreeBMD-Admins.html > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx > >