I too have this problem with lots of blank pages. The reply that was given to me was that the file containing the page immediately before a blank should terminate with a +PAGE,n where n is the page number of the next non-blank page. Ian ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Slann" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2001 2:10 AM Subject: Re: half page explained > Ian said > > > I too am interested in the answer to the other question that someone > > raised - how does one close the last page in a quarter when, by definition > > there is no page n+1. Is it done by a simple +PAGE or by PAGE,n+1 > > regardless of the fact that nothing will ever match n+1. I suspect that > > either of these is acceptable but again this is a guess. > > I anticipate being told off again but I promise to take it in good part. > Here is the scenario transcriber A has a block of transcriptions which run > from 1846B1-G-P-1156.tif to 1846B1-G-P-1165.tif and dutifully finishes of > with +PAGE,n+1. Transcriber B is allocated pages that run from > 1846B1-G-P-1166.tif to 1846B1-G-P-1175.tif. Sadly on down loading these are > all blanks. So nothing is transcribed and nothing is uploaded and no record > will exist of files in this range will exist when the Range Check is run for > this quarter. The next download with data for transcription is > 1846B1-G-P-1176.tif . > > Now various kind people have tried to explain that this is not a problem, > but I cannot get my mind round their explanations. I do not see how this > can be when one file ends expecting to find a file that stems from > 1846B1-G-P-1166.tif, but there is no record of this. The next file in > sequence actually stems from 1846B1-G-P-1176.tif . > > In case any one thinks I am banging on about a theoretical situation these > file numbers have been taken from my records and reflect what has been > reported to me. If anyone thinks it is an isolated instance there are 19 > runs of blanks in 1846 BQ1 reported to me so far. This means if someone > else has to do the range check in my place they have at least 190 pages of > gaps to investigate to be sure all data that should be present is present > > I would be more than happy to let this matter die, but I will not rest easy > in my mind until I have understood the explanations that Dave and others > have given so far. > > I would dearly love to rest my case. > > John > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237 > >

Gary Dave gave this explanation on 23 October 2001 ADMIN mailing list (when he gave formal guidance on a number of issues). "In the (rare) cases where transcribers are submitting files that start or end mid-page, no +PAGE line should be inserted." I may be incorrect, but I believe it was another correspondent who actually introduced the term "half a page" into the discussion? Dave also gave this explanation on 25 October 2001 ADMIN mailing list. "Half a page means; "Where the file contains only part of the page" If a page contains 5 names and all are transcribed, it is a full page. If it contains 300 names and is split into 2 or more files, it is a part page and the +PAGE is missed in certain places." Hope this has clarified the query? Allan Raymond [email protected] http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Monarchies_of_Europe.htm FreeBMD - putting birth marriages and deaths on the Internet http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kiwiz Syndicate" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 28 October 2001 01:27 Subject: half page explained Another point that needs clarification: It is not 'half page' but split page, wrongly named IMHO. The only time +PAGE is left out is when a 300 name page is split into two files. The +PAGE is omitted on the first file only. A rare occurence I'm told. Garry KIWIZ Syndicate Co-ordinator ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237

Hi, I'm not sure that two aspects of what you say are correct Stephen. 1. There definately isn't a limit of one page per file - I don't believe there is any upper limit and I have transcribers who regularly upload files containing multiple pages. However, these don't really differ from your description except that there are additional +PAGE,n+1 in the 'middle' of the file. 2. I'm unsure about your scenario #3. Assuming (and I think this is correct) that the 'complete page' matching routine uses nothing but the +PAGE lines to decide if a page is complete then I don't see how it could do anything with a file with no opening +PAGE. I have no idea though what such a file would look like, nor indeed why anyone would want to do this (it seems to make much more sense to simply add the later lines to the end of the first and upload the file again). I would guess though that the 2nd file should look like the first, ie have the same opening +PAGE,n but this time have a closing +PAGE,n+1 - this is a pure guess though! I too am interested in the answer to the other question that someone raised - how does one close the last page in a quarter when, by definition there is no page n+1. Is it done by a simple +PAGE or by PAGE,n+1 regardless of the fact that nothing will ever match n+1. I suspect that either of these is acceptable but again this is a guess. Regards Ian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Carter" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2001 12:11 AM Subject: Re: half page explained > Graham, at 01:16 28/10/2001, you wrote: > > >Hi Garry, > > > >lat one before I go to bed ! > > > >Kiwiz Syndicate wrote: > > > > > > Another point that needs clarification: > > > It is not 'half page' but split page, wrongly named IMHO. > > > The only time +PAGE is left out is when a 300 name page is split into > > two files. The > > > +PAGE is omitted on the first file only. A rare occurence I'm told. > > > >Dave wrote on the admins list > > > I used the term "half page". I should have said "part transcribed > > > page". > > > > > > >so I think we are in agreement about the wording of half page :) > > Sorry to milk this even further, but it seems to me there are four distinct > scenarios. > > 1) If someone starts transcribing a page from the 1st entry and completes > it to the last entry - in which case there should be a +PAGE,n [n = page > number] in the first line of the file and a +PAGE, (n+1) in the last line > of the file. > > 2) If someone starts transcribing a page from the 1st entry, and closes > the file before completing the transcription of that page, there should be > a +PAGE,n in the first line of the file and no +PAGE at all at the end of > the file. > > 3) If someone starts transcribing a page from an entry other than the > first one and completes the page to the last entry, there should be no > +PAGE,n in the first line of the file but there should be a +PAGE,(n+1) in > the last line of the file. > > 4) If someone starts transcribing a page from an entry other than the > first one and closes the file before completing the page to the last entry, > there should be no +PAGE lines at all, either at the beginning or the end > of the file. > > Is this a correct understanding? ( I am assuming that there is a maximum > of one page per file - this understanding does not allow for there being a > complete page, between two other +PAGE lines, in the middle of the file). > > > Stephen > > Revd S H Carter > [email protected] > > United Benefice of Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge and Little Wenlock > http://www.rectorshouse.freeserve.co.uk/benefice/benframe.html > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library > >

Hi Garry, lat one before I go to bed ! Kiwiz Syndicate wrote: > > Another point that needs clarification: > It is not 'half page' but split page, wrongly named IMHO. > The only time +PAGE is left out is when a 300 name page is split into two files. The > +PAGE is omitted on the first file only. A rare occurence I'm told. Dave wrote on the admins list > I used the term "half page". I should have said "part transcribed > page". > so I think we are in agreement about the wording of half page :) cheers Graham > > Garry > KIWIZ Syndicate Co-ordinator > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237

Hi Garry, As Dave is not around at the mo .. here is his answer from a few days ago on this list ... Dave Mayall said: > > 1) There are cases where there is quite distinctly a period following a forename, > > separate from and different to the row of dots that follow. > > 2) The use of such a period would appear to be against some but not all records > > on a page > > 3) we can conclude that either it means something or is poor typesetting > > > > We know that a period following a single letter means that the letter is a > > contraction of a name to an initial, so I propose a hypothesis that a period > > following a forename MAY indicate that there are further forenames not indexed > > > > Now, if my hypothesis is bunkum, we can easily tell the program at some future > > date to ignore the periods. If my hypothesis is correct, and we decide as a matter > > of policy to omit the periods, we cannot go back and have the program insert the > > periods. We will have lost data. > > > > That explains why it isn't correct to omit the period. > > > > The question that we are trying to resolve is not whether it is right to lose this > > data (it isn't), but whether it is realistic to try and capture it, or whether we > > will lose so much of it through transcribers being unable to see the character, through > > deliberate omission by transcribers who decline to follow policy, or through transcribers > > who omit it without even considering that it may have data value, that we are wasting our > > time. Kiwiz Syndicate wrote: > > >The full stop *is* potentially valuable data. > > I cant' see any possible way a fullstop could be 'potentially valuable data' > after a F'name, the decision seems somewhat pedantic to me . Please clarify > 'potentially valuable' for me please. I understand that some people may find it pedanitc, but it is for a reason. We believe that it might indictae a shortened name for example and it may be a clue to the person reading the record. We should give people as much info as we can .. Hope that helps Cheers Graham > > Garry > KIWIZ Syndicate Co-ordinator > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

I agree with a lot of what Andrew says, but I am also in favour of having a central person who fields the do you think you have found a mistake queries. This volunteer could then contact the transcriber to request they look again at the information. I realise that there are more urgent fixes required - periods etc, but perhaps this could also be looked at in the future. Sheelagh ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Hingston" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2001 5:43 PM Subject: Re: e-mail inquiries > At 18:49 26/10/01 +0100, Allan Raymond wrote: > > >"Submitter Details > > > >N.B. The vast majority of records have been transcribed by people with no > >research > >interest in the names they have transcribed. Please do not mail the > >transcribers > >with research questions. This email address is provided for the purpose of > >correcting errors in the transcription." > > > >I believe work is taking place with the view to hiding the volunteers > >details if > >so desired which may possibly resolve your problem. > > There needs to be a contact address when people think that they have found > a mistake, and I would expect that most of us are content to field these > rather than have co-ordinators and leaders even more harassed than they are > now. > > >Anyway getting back to your query, where else on the site would you > >suggest we put > >a "bold" message warning off potential researchers? > > I agree that many people will misunderstand or ignore messages wherever > they are placed but we have to accept that many of those viewing sites such > as these have very little understanding of the sources and why the > information may not be wholly reliable. I don't think we should clutter the > search results screen any more than we can avoid because that is > counterproductive, but I wonder if there should be links from that screen > addressing the three likely outcomes to a search - have you found your > ancestor? can't find your ancestor? do you think you have found a mistake? > > Each link could take people to a page which patiently explains things. The > first is already there but I would suggest explaining why the transcription > or index may be wrong, a reminder that there may be confusion between > people with the same name, etc, as well as how to get a copy of the > certificate and what it contains, as now. The second needs to explain that > the project is far from complete and the index fallible, and why there is > no point contacting those associated with the project. The final link could > explain why there are problems with transcription and index, and the > limited circumstances in which an e-mail to the transcriber is appropriate. > > I know that some of this will be repetition, and that FreeBMD can't offer a > complete course in family research (the odd useful link to other sources on > that may be best) but at least it might be possible to steer users in a > productive direction. > > Andrew Hingston > > <http://www.amhinja.demon.co.uk> > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237 > >

At 18:49 26/10/01 +0100, Allan Raymond wrote: >"Submitter Details > >N.B. The vast majority of records have been transcribed by people with no >research >interest in the names they have transcribed. Please do not mail the >transcribers >with research questions. This email address is provided for the purpose of >correcting errors in the transcription." > >I believe work is taking place with the view to hiding the volunteers >details if >so desired which may possibly resolve your problem. There needs to be a contact address when people think that they have found a mistake, and I would expect that most of us are content to field these rather than have co-ordinators and leaders even more harassed than they are now. >Anyway getting back to your query, where else on the site would you >suggest we put >a "bold" message warning off potential researchers? I agree that many people will misunderstand or ignore messages wherever they are placed but we have to accept that many of those viewing sites such as these have very little understanding of the sources and why the information may not be wholly reliable. I don't think we should clutter the search results screen any more than we can avoid because that is counterproductive, but I wonder if there should be links from that screen addressing the three likely outcomes to a search - have you found your ancestor? can't find your ancestor? do you think you have found a mistake? Each link could take people to a page which patiently explains things. The first is already there but I would suggest explaining why the transcription or index may be wrong, a reminder that there may be confusion between people with the same name, etc, as well as how to get a copy of the certificate and what it contains, as now. The second needs to explain that the project is far from complete and the index fallible, and why there is no point contacting those associated with the project. The final link could explain why there are problems with transcription and index, and the limited circumstances in which an e-mail to the transcriber is appropriate. I know that some of this will be repetition, and that FreeBMD can't offer a complete course in family research (the odd useful link to other sources on that may be best) but at least it might be possible to steer users in a productive direction. Andrew Hingston <http://www.amhinja.demon.co.uk>

Of course usually there is a message that says when the rebuild is due to finish, and I always try to get my monthly allocation uploaded a fortnight before this date - this usually gets them in on time. This time there was still the apology about the problems encountered, so I too got caught out:-) Sheelagh ----- Original Message ----- From: "Allan Raymond" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2001 1:15 PM Subject: Re: DB Rebuild > Maureen > > My suggestion is to upload your files as soon as you complete or amend them. > > I can well imagine what is going to happen with a message on the FreeBMD site > along the following lines. > > For example lets assume that the message quotes, "Update due to start 26 October". > > For whatever reason lets suppose that the update didn't start on 26 October, we > will then be inundated with "has the update started" or "why hasn't the update > started". > > Allan Raymond > [email protected] > http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Monarchies_of_Europe.htm > FreeBMD - putting birth marriages and deaths on the Internet > http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com/ > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Maureen Leadbeater" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: 27 October 2001 08:45 > Subject: Re: DB Rebuild > > > I would also find this useful. > I checked several pages of "uncertain" characters ( marked as _) at my > nearest LDS centre on Thursday. I amended some of the files yesterday am > but left the remainder for today and played around with my "home page" > instead as I thought I had another few days before update started. > > Maureen Leadbeater > Reseaching in Durham , PREST, MAKEPEACE, BUXTON, COOK, SMITH > > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > > > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > >

Hi, (I know it was tongue in cheek, but its worth reiterating) Syndicate coordinators should not be asking people to go against the policy as defined by the organisers. If they do, then there is a risk that all the transcriptions by that syndicate will end up being next to useless in the matching process. It is important to understand that FreeBMD is made up of a lot of disparate syndicates following the rules. We cannot have one rule for one syndicate and another for the rest. When sections are double keyed, the differences will be thrown into full relief and may end up with huge ranges not matching. We want to avoid that which is why we go throught he time and effort to devise the strategy and the programs to go along with it. That strategy -has- to be decided centrally and by individual coordinators. Please do not advise people to work against the policy. Cheers Graham "Roger J. Legg" wrote: > > Dave Mayall wrote on 23/10/2001:- > > >Having reviewed the position that we find ourselves in now, in > particular > with regard to the large number of files that have been loaded without > transcribing the full stop, we will adopt the following strategy; > 1) The full stop *is* potentially valuable data. > 2) If transcribers can see a clear full stop at the end of a forename, > they should transcribe it. > 3) It is accepted that there will be occasions where transcribers cannot > *clearly* determine whether a full stop is present, and in such cases > it > can be omitted. > 4) There is NO requirement or expectation that transcribers will make > changes > to previously loaded files. > 5) The database routines will be amended to disregard the presence or > absence of the full stop in names (but the full data *will* still be > retained by FreeBMD.< > > I checked with my syndicate organizer after reading the above. My > syndicate organizer disagreed with Dave Mayall and told me not to enter > the period after forenames when transcribing the deaths index. > > With tongue in cheek I would urge all transcribers to check with their > syndicate organizer before making any decision as to the merits of > ........... > > Roger J. Legg > > > Surname Interests:- > CARR Broom Hill, Northumberland, England > HEAD / HEDE Kintbury, Berkshire, England > LEGG Saint Giles, Camberwell, Surrey, England > SHIELD South Shields, County Durham, England > WOODS Gorleston on Sea, Suffolk, England, Pre 1889 > WOODS Gorleston on Sea, Norfolk, England Post1889 > ICQ 129377740 > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library

Hi, [email protected] wrote: > > Hello, > I see a new DB rebuild cycle has begun. > Is there any way you could let us know ahead of time when you're planning to > do another rebuild-- say post it on the website? > Does the rebuild usually start about 5pm (UK time) on the last Friday of the > month? The updates are dependent on a lot of things .. one of which is our availability to nurse things through and check they are ok. They are not a scheduled event in that kind of way, unfortunately. Dave is currently managing the rebuilds so he may be able to do something, but it wouldn't be a general ting cos we just don't have the time or resource to be that precise ... Cheers Graham > > Rick Elliott > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library

Maureen My suggestion is to upload your files as soon as you complete or amend them. I can well imagine what is going to happen with a message on the FreeBMD site along the following lines. For example lets assume that the message quotes, "Update due to start 26 October". For whatever reason lets suppose that the update didn't start on 26 October, we will then be inundated with "has the update started" or "why hasn't the update started". Allan Raymond [email protected] http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Monarchies_of_Europe.htm FreeBMD - putting birth marriages and deaths on the Internet http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Maureen Leadbeater" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 27 October 2001 08:45 Subject: Re: DB Rebuild I would also find this useful. I checked several pages of "uncertain" characters ( marked as _) at my nearest LDS centre on Thursday. I amended some of the files yesterday am but left the remainder for today and played around with my "home page" instead as I thought I had another few days before update started. Maureen Leadbeater Reseaching in Durham , PREST, MAKEPEACE, BUXTON, COOK, SMITH ============================== Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

Gary We are working very hard to get people to use the DISCUSS list for items of this nature which are up for grabs as a discussion topic. This comment applies to all of us (me as well). If you have a discussion topic please use the DISCUSS list. Allan Raymond [email protected] http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Monarchies_of_Europe.htm FreeBMD - putting birth marriages and deaths on the Internet http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kiwi zone" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 27 October 2001 06:15 Subject: Dave; Fullstop >The full stop *is* potentially valuable data. I cant' see any possible way a fullstop could be 'potentially valuable data' after a F'name, the decision seems somewhat pedantic to me . Please clarify 'potentially valuable' for me please. Garry KIWIZ Syndicate Co-ordinator _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== Want to help FreeBMD? Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. ============================== Shop Ancestry - Everything you need to Discover, Preserve & Celebrate your heritage! http://shop.myfamily.com/ancestrycatalog

I would also find this useful. I checked several pages of "uncertain" characters ( marked as _) at my nearest LDS centre on Thursday. I amended some of the files yesterday am but left the remainder for today and played around with my "home page" instead as I thought I had another few days before update started. Maureen Leadbeater Reseaching in Durham , PREST, MAKEPEACE, BUXTON, COOK, SMITH

Whilst transcribing 1873 deaths I am coming across increasing unobliging corpses with multiple forenames. Since there is an extra column for the age at death the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th (!) name is often an initial with the usual full stop after it. In these cases there are often only one or two period marks after the forenames before the age. I am not trying to be silly but do I need to add a 'period' after an initial with a 'full stop'? (Hope someone is following this). I can't tell from looking at the indices & I don't want the page to look like it has a case of measles! regards Susannah Miles

In message <[email protected]>, Allan Raymond <[email protected]> writes >Jen > >I have moved this across to the DISCUSS list on the basis that others >may wish to contribute. > >At the moment when somebody does a search and decides to email the >volunteer who transcribed the information there is very bold notice >which quotes: > >"Submitter Details > >N.B. The vast majority of records have been transcribed by people with >no research interest in the names they have transcribed. Please do not >mail the transcribers with research questions. This email address is >provided for the purpose of correcting errors in the transcription." > >I believe work is taking place with the view to hiding the volunteers >details if so desired which may possibly resolve your problem. > >Anyway getting back to your query, where else on the site would you >suggest we put a "bold" message warning off potential researchers? While the bold notice seems clear enough perhaps it could be made even more clear that the volunteers are [in the main] transcribing from /national/ indices rather entering specific family research details. -- Philip Powell

In message <[email protected]>, Allan Raymond <[email protected]> writes >We are now in the discuss mode on what constitutes a "half a page" and I have >moved this topic across to the DISCUSS list. > >Allan Raymond >[email protected] >http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Monarchies_of_Europe.htm >FreeBMD - putting birth marriages and deaths on the Internet >http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com/ > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Sheelagh Hawkins" <[email protected]> >To: <[email protected]> >Sent: 26 October 2001 07:19 >Subject: Re: Half a page > > >Sorry Phillip I would have to disagree with you there. Surely if a page does >not contain any information after a point, then it is complete regardless of >whether it is only one line or 380 lines. We may be at cross-purposes here. Shell said she was about to /start/ a page that was only half full - since she is in the same syndicate as me, I felt I could see where she may have been coming from: At present, I'm working on scans of typed copies and when the index letter changes there is a gap of TEN blank pages followed by a page with the single large new index letter and then entries begin on the next page. I've very recently transcribed the change from I to J when I finished with a quarter page and today J to K when J finished with half a page - obviously I finished them off with +PAGE. Of course, I accept that the final entry on a page to be transcribed means that the page is complete (-: Apologises for any confusion -- Philip Powell

Jen I have moved this across to the DISCUSS list on the basis that others may wish to contribute. At the moment when somebody does a search and decides to email the volunteer who transcribed the information there is very bold notice which quotes: "Submitter Details N.B. The vast majority of records have been transcribed by people with no research interest in the names they have transcribed. Please do not mail the transcribers with research questions. This email address is provided for the purpose of correcting errors in the transcription." I believe work is taking place with the view to hiding the volunteers details if so desired which may possibly resolve your problem. Anyway getting back to your query, where else on the site would you suggest we put a "bold" message warning off potential researchers? Unless the researcher makes a concerted effort to look around the site I can't think how a researcher would know your email address other than when he gets the result of a search with details of the transcriber as I mentioned at the start of my response. Allan Raymond [email protected] http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Monarchies_of_Europe.htm FreeBMD - putting birth marriages and deaths on the Internet http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jen Legg" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 26 October 2001 18:14 Subject: e-mail inquiries I'm getting more and more of the following e-mails. Can we have an explanation on the main page? Just a short BOLD note that says we have no further knowledge might help. Jen "Having found your entry on the FreeBMD site I thought I ought to contact you. My wife, Susan Jane BEEVIS was born in 1957 to Douglas Francis John BEEVIS who was born in 1930. His father, John James Alfred BEEVIS was born in 1900. His siblings were Violet, Lillian Violet, Cecil & Ernest. His parents were Frances BEEVIS and Josephine Stevens. This is where we are a stop.We know that in the 1881 Census there was only one BEEVIS family in Maidstone - the home of Douglas, John and Frances.The family in the census, Francis and Charlotte plus children, must be connected somehow. Did Francis re-marry after the death of Charlotte? Did Francis and Charlotte have a child in 1882, call him Francis and he start a family at the age of 18?"

On Thu, 25 Oct 2001 13:21:29 +0200, you wrote: >>If, in your experience, you have seen index entries that lead you to >>suppose or suspect that the period following the forename conveys >>information, while the other punctuation doesn't (and it appears from your >>earlier replies that you have) could you please share your knowledge. > >Since the discussions about periods started a few weeks ago, I have seen an >Eliza. and an Obed. in the pages I have transcribed. > >Could these possibly be abbreviations of a first name, i.e. Elizabeth and >Obediah respectively? I suspect so (but of course we transcribe them as they appear) -- Dave Mayall

Too many messages for me! i.e. this is not my correct list to be subscribed to. Jean E. Smythe Nanaimo, B.C. CANADA

Hello, I see a new DB rebuild cycle has begun. Is there any way you could let us know ahead of time when you're planning to do another rebuild-- say post it on the website? Does the rebuild usually start about 5pm (UK time) on the last Friday of the month? Rick Elliott