Hi All Try sending the file as a ZIP file then unzip when it reaches the recipent. At 04:25 PM 26/11/2004, Jeff Coleman wrote: >Recently we have run into an unexpected problem while trying to set up >'mutual verifying'. Two of my transcribers who have Yahoo as their email >package have found that if they receive a .bmd transcription file as an >attachment they cannot save it in such a way that it is recognised by >WinBMD or BMDVerify. > >Is there anyone out there who can describe how to receive .bmd files with >Yahoo and be able to process them? > >I can see that the file contents could be included in the email text, then >copy/pasted into notepad or similar, and then saved in a format BMDVerify >would accept - but is there a simpler way? > >Jeff > > >--- >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.801 / Virus Database: 544 - Release Date: 24/11/2004 > > >==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES 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 > >============================== >Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for >ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: >http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx Cheers Derek Derek C Hopkins, Phone +1(450)678-7768 6640, Biarritz, Fax +1(450)678-4252 Brossard, E-Mail [email protected] QC, Canada, J4Z-2A2. ==== FreeBMD - England and Wales - Birth - Marriage and Death Transcriptions <http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com> ==== Check out FreeBMD Scan2 Syndicate page (revised daily) Please bookmark our new home http://www.scan2.org/scan2.html ==== Check out QFHS Marriage Transcription Project page (revised daily) (Quebec Family History Society) Please bookmark our new home http://www.scan2.org/qfhs.html Check out my web page (22jan1997) Last Revised 28 May 1998 <http://www.cam.org/~hopkde/index.html> Check out Abney Park Indexing Project (revised 14 MAR 2000, 195,000 names) <http://www.cam.org/~hopkde/abney.html> Check out my web Ramsgate page <http://members.adept.co.uk/hopkde> Check out the Quebec Family History web page <http://www.cam.org/~qfhs/index.html>

To Syndicate Co-ordinators The latest update (25/11/2004/) of the Suspect Report shows a further reduction in the number of Suspect Files. We are now down to 97 Suspect Files and any help you can give in reducing this still further would be appreciated? I'm aware and grateful to a number of Co-ordinators who are assisting in getting this list down to manageable proportions. In particular, Derek (Scan 2 Syndicate), John (John Pain Syndicate), Brian (Brian's Scan Syndicate), Teri (Western Oz Synd), Sue (The Recordsmiths Syndicate), Chris (Chris M's Syndicate), Pat (Pat Savage Syndicate) and Tony (FreeLoaders Syndicates) have advised they are dealing with their volunteers to correct their suspect files and therefore to avoid duplication of effort I won't be contacting these same volunteers. **** However, I feel it is now necessary for me to take direct action where progress is slow in correcting some the files and no reasons have been given to me for the delay . Any Co-ordinator who objects to this should email me as soon as possible with details of the volunteer **** If any other Co-ordinators are actively involved in sorting out the suspect files of their volunteers could they please let me know ASAP? Co-ordinators can disregard any files where the problem is shown as "Too many entries between +PAGE" as the chances are I'm already working on eliminating these files from the Suspect Report. Some Co-ordinators maybe waiting for me supply them with "Challenge" details for their volunteers to enable them to take over ownership of the volunteers File Management to correct Suspect Files. I hope to complete any outstanding requests later today. Thanks Allan Raymond ---Original Message----- From: Allan Raymond <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 01 October 2004 23:10 Subject: Suspect files To Co-ordinators Most of you will be aware I have been actively involved with the co-operation of others to eliminate all the suspect files in the Suspect Report at: http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/SuspectFiles.html There were lots of suspects file way back on 23 February 2003 which was whittled down to about 400 by 8 Oct 2003. By 17 September 2004 it had been substantially reduced to less than 30 suspect files and was going down on a daily basis. We are continually tweaking the Suspect Report criteria to weed out more suspect files. Barrie Archer recently identified some file which unfortunately do not conform to our highly recommended naming convention and therefore weren't being picked up the Suspect Report. This situation has been corrected and the most recent Suspect Report picks up these files. The net result is an increase in the number of files in the Suspect Report. I've already started to take action in sorting out some of the suspect files and there are about a further 650 files still to be sorted out. The co-operation of Co-ordinators in checking the Suspect Report on a regular weekly basis to identify and assist any of their volunteers with suspect files would be appreciated. I find I'm spending a lot of time dealing with volunteers who have suspect files which is an area perhaps better dealt with by the intervention of Co-ordinators. There may be a surprise for some Co-ordinators if they visited Suspect Report! I monitor the number of suspect files on a daily basis and my aim is to get the list down to zero figures by the end of December 2004. I'm actively involved in correcting the files of one volunteer who has the predominate number of suspect files. Regards Alan Raymond ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== Want to help FreeBMD? Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. ============================== Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES 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 ============================== 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

I accidentally sent this to the wrong list. Sorry if you have had it twice. Allan points out that there are alternative methods using pivot tables. Also of course early handwritten and the typed two-column files typically have different numbers of entries - 40 and 160 instead of 375 if I recall. Jeff ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Coleman" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 9:47 PM Subject: Finding duplicate transcriptions from upload reports, etc. > In recent discussion of occasional double-keying by accident or > happenstance I offered details of how to find such occurrences in upload > reports, without accidentally including successive corrected uploads from > the same transcriber. Here it is. > ------ > Collect a downloaded upload report for a particular range. Simplest if you > keep Births, Marriages and Deaths in separate upload reports. > > Open it in Excel. > Sort in order of Year, Quarter, Page Number, Uploaded(date). > > Hide or shrink columns K to P if you prefer to see all of what is going > on. > > In Q1 put a suitable heading such as 'doubles?' > > In Q2 put the formula =IF(AND(F2=F3),(I2<>I3),"DUPLICATE","") > Fill down to last entry in upload report - let's call that line n . > > To count duplicates > > in cell Q (n+1) put formula =COUNTIF(Q1:Q(n),"DUPLICATE") > > Note that this formula does not work using n. It will be a number , like > 483 > or 975 or 1265 or whatever the last line is, in real use. > ========== > Other spreadsheet packages should allow similar functions. > ========== > To find gaps in the sequence of uploaded pages, use this formula in Q2 and > downwards instead. > =IF(AND((F3-F2<>1),(F3-F2<>0)),"page gap follows","") > ========== > I think Bob Phillips pointed out to me that you could use a function a bit > like this one, filled down a column on the right, to identify pages with > something other than 375 lines. > > =IF(G2<>375,375-G2,"") > > This version produces a positive result for short files - like those with > a changeover of surname letters, normally showing as 10, or 20 for XYZ, or > those with a number of two-line bracketed names. It will give a negative > result if there were handwritten additions. If it gives an unexpected > positive result there may be lines missing, and it may be worth looking at > by collecting a copy from Showfile and running through BMDVerify. > ============== > Hope this helps > > If other co-ordinators do other interesting things with upload reports, > they might be worth sharing. > > Jeff > > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.801 / Virus Database: 544 - Release Date: 24/11/2004

Derek It is purely academic. But your Syndicate did have a policy sometime ago of double keying within Syndicate, an example being 1894 marriages amongst others. This has not happened for a while and I would much prefer to park any further discussion regarding this particular aspect of Scan2 keying as nothing can be gained from it. Odd pages transcribed within a Syndicate is not deemed to be double keying per se. Regards Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Derek C Hopkins <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 25 November 2004 16:57 Subject: Re: DO NOT Second Key Within The Same Syndicate Hi Allan and John There is no deliberate second keying in the same syndicate (i.e. Scan2 ) going on. Due to Reallocations Scan2 does have a number of pages that did and do get transcribed twice. Mostly because the first transcriber went AWOL and had not sent a copy to Scan2 the reallocation to the "Fill in the Holes" team generated the second copy. In the example below Nesta Rees is the person who got the page due to Peter going into the wild blue yonder on 2002-11-18 This is going to continue to happen randomly. It is not considered to be Double Keying. At 09:58 AM 25/11/2004, John Mellors wrote: >Allan there are occasions when double keying occurs and these can't be avoided >When a page has been allocated to a volunteer and that volunteer fails to >deliver in >a reasonable time span we reallocate the page. There are also occasions >where admin >mistakes on my part has resulted in a page (or pages) being allocated twice. > >The reissued page is produced and in due course the original volunteer >produces the >same page. Whilst this is not actually "double-keying" in terms of a >quarter it has the >same effect as a "double keyed" page within a syndicate. > >Take for example 1898 Births Qtr 1: >Page 55 & 56 >transcribed by John Mellors (John Pain Syndicate) >transcribed by Nesta Rees (Scan 2 Syndicate) >transcribed by Peter Monck (Scan 2 Syndicate) > >There are examples where a page has been double keyed by two people in our >syndicate. > >As the co-ordinator I am very loathe to tell a valued volunteer that they >have wasted >their time and to ask them not to upload (or to delete) the file they have >completed. > >While I accept that double keying (as a minimum) is required for basic >checking I >would have thought that triple (or even more) keying would help FreeBMD to >identify >potential errors in and help with the verification process of the data we >display. > >Best wishes >John Mellors > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Allan Raymond" ><<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]> >To: ><<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] m> >Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 2:03 PM >Subject: DO NOT Second Key Within The Same Syndicate > > > I would like to advise all Syndicate Co-ordinators that second (double) > > keying of the Indexes must NOT take place within the same Syndicate. > > > > Any second keying of this nature should be stopped immediately. > > > > Whilst I undertake very regular checks on using Upload Reports which would > > identify to me double keying I can't be expected to police every action of > > Syndicates in this respect. > > > > The official policy is found > > > > at: > <http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/process.html>http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/proces s.html > > > > or > > > > via the Transcribers' Page > > > > at: > <http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml>http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex .shtml, > then scroll down to > > Co-ordinator Resources and click " > > Processes An overview of the steps that the project goes through to ensure > > data accuracy" > > > > I mention this should any Co-ordinator be a "little surprised that there is > > no link from the Transcribers' Page" > > > > Regards > > > > Allan Raymond > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== > > To find out about the FreeBMD project please start at > > <http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com>http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com > > > > ============================== > > 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>http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.as hx > > > > Cheers Derek Derek C Hopkins, Phone +1(450)678-7768 6640, Biarritz, Fax +1(450)678-4252 Brossard, E-Mail [email protected] QC, Canada, J4Z-2A2. ==== FreeBMD - England and Wales - Birth - Marriage and Death Transcriptions <http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com> ==== Check out FreeBMD Scan2 Syndicate page (revised daily) Please bookmark our new home http://www.scan2.org/scan2.html ==== Check out QFHS Marriage Transcription Project page (revised daily) (Quebec Family History Society) Please bookmark our new home http://www.scan2.org/qfhs.html Check out my web page (22jan1997) Last Revised 28 May 1998 <http://www.cam.org/~hopkde/index.html> Check out Abney Park Indexing Project (revised 14 MAR 2000, 195,000 names) <http://www.cam.org/~hopkde/abney.html> Check out my web Ramsgate page <http://members.adept.co.uk/hopkde> Check out the Quebec Family History web page <http://www.cam.org/~qfhs/index.html> ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== To find out about the FreeBMD project please start at http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com ============================== 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

Jeff Although it may not have been clear in my earlier message I'm referring to double keying a complete quarter etc as part of a deliberate action by the Co-ordinator. There are hundred's of incidents of double keying odd pages within a Syndicate due the reasons mentioned by you. By me referring to : http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/process.html I assumed this would make my intent more obvious. Controlled double keying is the official approach, triple keying of odd pages is accepted as being an inevitable consequence of page allocations to volunteers. I don't want anyone to undo what has already happened but want to stop double keying within Syndicate as a deliberate action. Thanks for your promised list which I have received , but I don't have a need for it as I can regularly see files which have been double keyed more by accident than intent within Syndicate whenever I run Upload Report.. Your comments about "identifying such duplicate uploads and counting them when opening upload reports in Excel" must be exactly the method I have been using for ages and was to be included in my month long promise to Co-ordinator to produce information on this aspect. Unfortunately something always gets in the way, such as the recent problem on Age at Death. I would be more than happy for you describe your methodology on identifying duplicate uploads via the Syndicates list. It's best to share with all your colleagues. Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Jeff Coleman <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 25 November 2004 15:55 Subject: Re: DO NOT Second Key Within The Same Syndicate Hello Allan I suspect that my syndicate is not alone in having very occasional second keying occurring without it being planned for. Two circumstances occur. 1. Nothing is heard from a new or newish transcriber for months, emails are unanswered, so the page is re-allocated and done. Then out of the blue the original transcriber sends in a file to be checked, corrected and then uploaded. 2. Certain transcribers by various means manage to end up transcribing the wrong files, sometimes files someone else has already completed. Again, if they have done the work and done a decent transcription it seems daft not to upload them. I will admit to having a total of twelve duplicated files in the 1726 uploaded by my syndicate up to this morning. I will send you a list, Allan. If anyone would like a simple method and formula for identifying such duplicate uploads and counting them when opening upload reports in Excel I will be happy to supply. Jeff --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.801 / Virus Database: 544 - Release Date: 24/11/2004 ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES 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 ============================== Expand your family tree. Search more than 200 million names in Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx

Hello Allan I suspect that my syndicate is not alone in having very occasional second keying occurring without it being planned for. Two circumstances occur. 1. Nothing is heard from a new or newish transcriber for months, emails are unanswered, so the page is re-allocated and done. Then out of the blue the original transcriber sends in a file to be checked, corrected and then uploaded. 2. Certain transcribers by various means manage to end up transcribing the wrong files, sometimes files someone else has already completed. Again, if they have done the work and done a decent transcription it seems daft not to upload them. I will admit to having a total of twelve duplicated files in the 1726 uploaded by my syndicate up to this morning. I will send you a list, Allan. If anyone would like a simple method and formula for identifying such duplicate uploads and counting them when opening upload reports in Excel I will be happy to supply. Jeff --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.801 / Virus Database: 544 - Release Date: 24/11/2004

I would like to advise all Syndicate Co-ordinators that second (double) keying of the Indexes must NOT take place within the same Syndicate. Any second keying of this nature should be stopped immediately. Whilst I undertake very regular checks on using Upload Reports which would identify to me double keying I can't be expected to police every action of Syndicates in this respect. The official policy is found at: http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/process.html or via the Transcribers' Page at: http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml, then scroll down to Co-ordinator Resources and click " Processes An overview of the steps that the project goes through to ensure data accuracy" I mention this should any Co-ordinator be a "little surprised that there is no link from the Transcribers' Page" Regards Allan Raymond

Dear Dave, That's absolutely wonderful, thank you, I have held off telling any of my transcribers who are affected, except for the one with 199 files. This transcriber is in fact a couple and they have altered 3000 of their records, and I have asked them to hold off doing any more for the time being. I should be very grateful if you could let me know if or what I will need anything more. Kindest regards John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Mayall" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 7:21 AM Subject: Re: Statistics > On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 21:39:45 -0000, you wrote: > >>John >> >>Any further thoughts on what you would like me to do about the errant >>files >>uploaded by your volunteers? >> >>I propose to correct the files in the following order unless you have any >>alternative suggestions? >> >>SubmitterID No of Errant Files >> >>BD123 1 >>(this file is errant because it has one record is shown as *,*,*,*,*,*) . >>The volunteer followed the rules exactly except for this one entry. >> >>Daves 1 >>(this file is errant because it has three records shown with ? in the age >>field) . The volunteer followed the rules exactly except for these three >>entries. >> >>RHC 3 >>(these three files are errant because all records are shown with * in the >>age field) . The volunteer followed the rules exactly for a further seven >>other death files which were in numeric page sequence with the three >>errant >>files. This indicates to me the volunteer was aware of the rules >>pertaining >>then and also now. >> >>Debs 6 >>MargSue 10 >>Gemini 36 >>Mazda 116 >>JaniceHughes 138 >>rjmc 199 >>(it would appear work is taking place by you or your volunteer regarding >>correction of rjmc files). >> >>Just give me a nod as to which files you would like me to correct and if >>you >>have any preferences as to the order and I'll get cracking on them >>straightaway? > > Allan, I'm knocking up a bit of code to allow these files to be > semi-automatically fixed, so hang fire! > -- > Dave Mayall > > > ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== > For those in -L mode, to unsubscribe from this mailing list please send > the command UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message to - > [email protected] > > ============================== > 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 > >

Hi Allan and John There is no deliberate second keying in the same syndicate (i.e. Scan2 ) going on. Due to Reallocations Scan2 does have a number of pages that did and do get transcribed twice. Mostly because the first transcriber went AWOL and had not sent a copy to Scan2 the reallocation to the "Fill in the Holes" team generated the second copy. In the example below Nesta Rees is the person who got the page due to Peter going into the wild blue yonder on 2002-11-18 This is going to continue to happen randomly. It is not considered to be Double Keying. At 09:58 AM 25/11/2004, John Mellors wrote: >Allan there are occasions when double keying occurs and these can't be avoided >When a page has been allocated to a volunteer and that volunteer fails to >deliver in >a reasonable time span we reallocate the page. There are also occasions >where admin >mistakes on my part has resulted in a page (or pages) being allocated twice. > >The reissued page is produced and in due course the original volunteer >produces the >same page. Whilst this is not actually "double-keying" in terms of a >quarter it has the >same effect as a "double keyed" page within a syndicate. > >Take for example 1898 Births Qtr 1: >Page 55 & 56 >transcribed by John Mellors (John Pain Syndicate) >transcribed by Nesta Rees (Scan 2 Syndicate) >transcribed by Peter Monck (Scan 2 Syndicate) > >There are examples where a page has been double keyed by two people in our >syndicate. > >As the co-ordinator I am very loathe to tell a valued volunteer that they >have wasted >their time and to ask them not to upload (or to delete) the file they have >completed. > >While I accept that double keying (as a minimum) is required for basic >checking I >would have thought that triple (or even more) keying would help FreeBMD to >identify >potential errors in and help with the verification process of the data we >display. > >Best wishes >John Mellors > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Allan Raymond" ><<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]> >To: ><<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]> >Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 2:03 PM >Subject: DO NOT Second Key Within The Same Syndicate > > > I would like to advise all Syndicate Co-ordinators that second (double) > > keying of the Indexes must NOT take place within the same Syndicate. > > > > Any second keying of this nature should be stopped immediately. > > > > Whilst I undertake very regular checks on using Upload Reports which would > > identify to me double keying I can't be expected to police every action of > > Syndicates in this respect. > > > > The official policy is found > > > > at: > <http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/process.html>http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/process.html > > > > or > > > > via the Transcribers' Page > > > > at: > <http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml>http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml, > then scroll down to > > Co-ordinator Resources and click " > > Processes An overview of the steps that the project goes through to ensure > > data accuracy" > > > > I mention this should any Co-ordinator be a "little surprised that there is > > no link from the Transcribers' Page" > > > > Regards > > > > Allan Raymond > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== > > To find out about the FreeBMD project please start at > > <http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com>http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com > > > > ============================== > > 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>http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx > > > > Cheers Derek Derek C Hopkins, Phone +1(450)678-7768 6640, Biarritz, Fax +1(450)678-4252 Brossard, E-Mail [email protected] QC, Canada, J4Z-2A2. ==== FreeBMD - England and Wales - Birth - Marriage and Death Transcriptions <http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com> ==== Check out FreeBMD Scan2 Syndicate page (revised daily) Please bookmark our new home http://www.scan2.org/scan2.html ==== Check out QFHS Marriage Transcription Project page (revised daily) (Quebec Family History Society) Please bookmark our new home http://www.scan2.org/qfhs.html Check out my web page (22jan1997) Last Revised 28 May 1998 <http://www.cam.org/~hopkde/index.html> Check out Abney Park Indexing Project (revised 14 MAR 2000, 195,000 names) <http://www.cam.org/~hopkde/abney.html> Check out my web Ramsgate page <http://members.adept.co.uk/hopkde> Check out the Quebec Family History web page <http://www.cam.org/~qfhs/index.html>

Hi I have a number of people in the syndicate who are seeing the Quicktime Symbol, when trying to download allocated pages, and can't get beyond this. Normally I tell them to right click on the link, then select Save Target As which usually solves their problem. However, I have noticed that in the last few days when trying to do this, the Save Target As option is greyed out, and not available. Any other suggestions on how people can download their scans without Quicktime getting in the way. Thanks

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 21:39:45 -0000, you wrote: >John > >Any further thoughts on what you would like me to do about the errant files >uploaded by your volunteers? > >I propose to correct the files in the following order unless you have any >alternative suggestions? > >SubmitterID No of Errant Files > >BD123 1 >(this file is errant because it has one record is shown as *,*,*,*,*,*) . >The volunteer followed the rules exactly except for this one entry. > >Daves 1 >(this file is errant because it has three records shown with ? in the age >field) . The volunteer followed the rules exactly except for these three >entries. > >RHC 3 >(these three files are errant because all records are shown with * in the >age field) . The volunteer followed the rules exactly for a further seven >other death files which were in numeric page sequence with the three errant >files. This indicates to me the volunteer was aware of the rules pertaining >then and also now. > >Debs 6 >MargSue 10 >Gemini 36 >Mazda 116 >JaniceHughes 138 >rjmc 199 >(it would appear work is taking place by you or your volunteer regarding >correction of rjmc files). > >Just give me a nod as to which files you would like me to correct and if you >have any preferences as to the order and I'll get cracking on them >straightaway? Allan, I'm knocking up a bit of code to allow these files to be semi-automatically fixed, so hang fire! -- Dave Mayall

John All your files now show up in Upload Report. I searched the email archives yesterday trying to identify the discussions to which you referred but had no success. It would be appreciated if you could dig up the correspondence or at least point me in the right direction in the mailing archives? Thanks Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Allan Raymond <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 23 November 2004 23:21 Subject: Re: Error in files age at death. As requested I have corrected the 39 files which were showing in error. I'll be running Upload Report ASAP to ensure they now reappear in it and the database. I'm willing to correct a further batch of files if any Co-ordinator would like to contact me with details of the files? Out of interest can you point me in the direction of the discussion which took place 12 to 18 months ago? It would be useful to know what was stated at the time to see if we need to learn anything in our communication to volunteers/co-ordinators. Thanks Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: JOHN PINGRAM <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 23 November 2004 09:43 Subject: Error in files age at death. This matter was aired on the list at the time, some 12 to 18 months ago, I don't remember any request to stop transcribing, and I suggest the number of files concerned indicates there was none. Alan is very welcome to rectify my files if he can, in fact I think if he has the means available he should alter the lot. To pull out 39 files from Freebmd, persuade each one individually into the modern version of Winbmd, flick the column switch and hope the column goes away and reload, on Dialup, well, I have more urgent things to do. While we are on the subject of 'errors', if one legitimately finishes a file with an unknown number of lines missing at the end with +BREAK it will appear in glorious technicolour on the Management page. Similarly if one follows TWYS and accurately reproduces the clerk's entry at the foot of the page, if that is not what someone thought he should write, it again appears in technicolour. On a lighter note, a transcriber sent me a screen shot and the file, showing what happened when she tried to upload. She wrote I haven't an idea what this is all about. I hadn't either. Close examination of the file showed a space in the Page column. It brought to mind a well known author writing in a computer magazine, he wrote, If you are as bemused as I am over some of the error messages in Windows, the smart thing to do is to select a few of the words and pop them in the Google search engine and see what you get! I rest my case. Kind regards, John ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 5:00 AM Subject: FREEBMD-SYNDICATES-D Digest V04 #162 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.4.1 - Release Date: 19/11/2004 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.4.1 - Release Date: 19/11/2004 ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== Want to help FreeBMD? Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. ============================== New! OneWorldTree. Building Trees. Connecting Families. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13970/rd.ashx ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== For those in -L mode, to unsubscribe from this mailing list please send the command UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message to - [email protected] ============================== OneWorldTree - The World's largest family tree. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13971/rd.ashx

John Any further thoughts on what you would like me to do about the errant files uploaded by your volunteers? I propose to correct the files in the following order unless you have any alternative suggestions? SubmitterID No of Errant Files BD123 1 (this file is errant because it has one record is shown as *,*,*,*,*,*) . The volunteer followed the rules exactly except for this one entry. Daves 1 (this file is errant because it has three records shown with ? in the age field) . The volunteer followed the rules exactly except for these three entries. RHC 3 (these three files are errant because all records are shown with * in the age field) . The volunteer followed the rules exactly for a further seven other death files which were in numeric page sequence with the three errant files. This indicates to me the volunteer was aware of the rules pertaining then and also now. Debs 6 MargSue 10 Gemini 36 Mazda 116 JaniceHughes 138 rjmc 199 (it would appear work is taking place by you or your volunteer regarding correction of rjmc files). Just give me a nod as to which files you would like me to correct and if you have any preferences as to the order and I'll get cracking on them straightaway? Regards Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Allan Raymond <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 23 November 2004 17:00 Subject: Re: Statistics John I will leave Dave to give the technical explanations. However my small involvement in this discussion. As soon as I realised the files were shown in error and did not appear in Upload Report I IMMEDIATELY forewarned Co-ordinators of the problem and posted a notice on the File Management Page and have been working ceaselessly to collect all the information together for Co-ordinators. NO transcriptions have been erased from the FreeBMD (it's just that they are nor searchable etc) . Co-ordinators can view the errant files via Show File and volunteers can see the Files in their File Management as fully explained in the information I've supplied to Co-ordinators. However until the files are corrected they will not show up in the database for searching or in Upload Report. There is NO requirement for any pages to be reallocated to another volunteer as the original transcriptions are still in the volunteers File Management. I have total empathy with the feelings of the volunteers whose files whilst initially accepted are now rejected. I've spent many hours on this problem and if any volunteer or co-ordinator so desires it I will personally correct all the files (in fact a very capable individual has volunteered to help me in this task). I will be correcting John Pingram's 39 files when I'm back on line this evening and for me to correct the other 1099 files will take a little longer. There wasn't a long list of volunteers with these errant files, there were a total of 89 volunteers. Unfortunately the greatest problem arises for those volunteers who have a large number of these errant files because they inserted a *, _ , or ?. Of the 89 volunteers quite a number have uploaded one name study files and in the majority of these cases an actual age at death has been inserted where by normal conventions there shouldn't be an age. I've already corrected some of these one name files as the volunteers are inactive. I've just had a quick look at the statistics on this problem. 1 volunteer has 199 errant files 1 " " 138 " " 1 " " 116 " " 1 " " 84 " " 1 " " 64 " " 1 " " 54 " " 1 " " 45 " " 1 " " 39 " " 1 " " 36 " " 1 " " 31 " " 1 " " 23 " " 1 " " 13 " " 1 " " 10 " " Total 852 Therefore 13 of the volunteers account for 75% of the errant files and 6 of these volunteers belong to your Syndicate. To dispel any threats of blackmail from any quarter and to bring some normality back into this problem. my offer to correct any files of any volunteer/co-ordinator is on the table. So if you would agree that I can start work on correcting the files of your volunteers they will ready for inclusion in the next database update. This also applies to any Co-ordinator/volunteer. Regards Allan Raymond One very tired and frustrated volunteer -----Original Message----- From: John Slann <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 23 November 2004 13:29 Subject: Re: Statistics I would like to seek further information and clarification before going further. Dave said; "> The new check on inappropriate age at death caused any file which > contained age at death before 1866 to be dropped (the whole file is > dropped, not just the records in error). > > These records will return to the DB once the files are corrected." First, please could Dave confirm that this means the files uploaded by any transcribers who have included a query mark in the AaD column have had them transcriptions totally erased so that they need to be uploaded again after the question mark has been removed. If this is so could they be restored? Second, if they have been totally deleted should I remove the uploaded signal from my allocations work book? Third, where the transcriber has ceased to be active am I free to reallocate the scans whose files have been dropped and regard them as new work? Fourth, could Dave explain how the results of a search would have been displayed if the question mark had remained? Fifth, if the question mark was displayed in a search could it's presence have been explained by a note? Sixth, why was it imperative to take action now, why not wait for the second keying? Further on Dave said: ">These records will return to the DB once the files are corrected" First, could Dave explain what will happen if no-one corrects some or all of the affected files and I decide to take no action? Second, does he agree that the phrase quoted above could be construed as blackmail? Elsewhere Dave said ">* indicates one or more missing characters >_ indicates one missing character >- indicates the literal "-" >? indicates an unexpectedly blank field >None of these values validly represent what is found in deaths to >1865, which is an expectedly blank field. But clearly "unexpected" to a fairly. long list of transcribers. And finally this is another time when the failure to warn co-ordinators has resulted in upsetting valued transcribers. The one principally affected in my syndicate is a couple who have devised a system for working together that produces accurate and speedy results from some of the most indifferent material they have to use. They have never complained until now. Some 10000 roughly 25% of their input has been arbitrarily removed from their input. This represents about 250 files. The task is daunting, and they would have my sympathy if they suggested that as far as FreeBMD is concerned it should find a large expanse of water and then engage in an athletic pursuit that results in getting wet John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Mayall" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 7:47 PM Subject: Re: Statistics > On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 18:29:01 -0000, you wrote: > >>One of my transcribers has written to me as follows: >> >>"Dear John >>I have just looked at my statistics and discover that in the month up to >>13November Marjorie and I transcribed approximately minus 10000 names. Our >>totals dropped from 57700 to 47164. Is there any reason for this, does it >>mean that a question mark in place of a non existent age deletes it from >>the record? >>This does not give a great deal of encouragement to us and we will put our >>transcribing on hold until we get an explanation from the powers that be. >>Sorry to load you with this but it is discouraging when ones work seems to >>be discarded for no apparent reason. >>Earlier this afternoon I discovered a way of editing out the question mark >>in the uploaded files and I was feeling quite pleased with myself, now I >>feel like throwing in the towel" >> >>Please could I have a comment from the Powers that be. > > The new check on inappropriate age at death caused any file which > contained age at death before 1866 to be dropped (the whole file is > dropped, not just the records in error). > > . > > I do appreciate that the whole thing is an inconvenience to those who > must correct files, but the long and short of it is that these files > contain incorrect data, that we failed to trap at the time it was > uploaded. > > Incorrect data damages the reputation of FreeBMD, and we need to deal > with it. > > > -- > Dave Mayall > > > ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== > Thank you Rootsweb for hosting the FreeBMD project and its mailing lists. > See http://www.rootsweb.com/ > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx > ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== Thank you Rootsweb for hosting the FreeBMD project and its mailing lists. See http://www.rootsweb.com/ ============================== Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== For those in -L mode, to unsubscribe from this mailing list please send the command UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message to - [email protected] ============================== View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find marriage announcements and more. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx

I have a transcriber whose transcription files .BMD are becoming mixed with Norton antivirus files. I believe this has happened before, does anyone know the remedy please? Kind regards, John -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.4.1 - Release Date: 19/11/2004

Hi All It may also be they are using SpeedBMD. They should be encouraged to switch to WinBMD and set SpeedBMD OFF as Ian says. At 02:22 PM 24/11/2004, Ian Brooke wrote: >John, >It is unlikely to be .BMD files. It's more likely that they have switched >on SpeedBMD filenames which use a .SCA extension which is the same as >NAV. Turn off SpeedBMD filenames on the Options Menu. >Ian > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: JOHN PINGRAM > To: [email protected] > Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 10:05 AM > Subject: Re: FREEBMD-SYNDICATES-D Digest V04 #163 > > > I have a transcriber whose transcription files .BMD are becoming mixed with > Norton antivirus files. I believe this has happened before, does anyone > know > the remedy please? > Kind regards, > John > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.4.1 - Release Date: 19/11/2004 > > > ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== > For those in -L mode, to unsubscribe from this mailing list please send > the command UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message to - > [email protected] > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx > > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 20/11/2004 > > >==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== >Thank you Rootsweb for hosting the FreeBMD project and its mailing lists. >See http://www.rootsweb.com/ > >============================== >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 Cheers Derek Derek C Hopkins, Phone +1(450)678-7768 6640, Biarritz, Fax +1(450)678-4252 Brossard, E-Mail [email protected] QC, Canada, J4Z-2A2. ==== FreeBMD - England and Wales - Birth - Marriage and Death Transcriptions <http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com> ==== Check out FreeBMD Scan2 Syndicate page (revised daily) Please bookmark our new home http://www.scan2.org/scan2.html ==== Check out QFHS Marriage Transcription Project page (revised daily) (Quebec Family History Society) Please bookmark our new home http://www.scan2.org/qfhs.html Check out my web page (22jan1997) Last Revised 28 May 1998 <http://www.cam.org/~hopkde/index.html> Check out Abney Park Indexing Project (revised 14 MAR 2000, 195,000 names) <http://www.cam.org/~hopkde/abney.html> Check out my web Ramsgate page <http://members.adept.co.uk/hopkde> Check out the Quebec Family History web page <http://www.cam.org/~qfhs/index.html>

John, It is unlikely to be .BMD files. It's more likely that they have switched on SpeedBMD filenames which use a .SCA extension which is the same as NAV. Turn off SpeedBMD filenames on the Options Menu. Ian ----- Original Message ----- From: JOHN PINGRAM To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 10:05 AM Subject: Re: FREEBMD-SYNDICATES-D Digest V04 #163 I have a transcriber whose transcription files .BMD are becoming mixed with Norton antivirus files. I believe this has happened before, does anyone know the remedy please? Kind regards, John -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.4.1 - Release Date: 19/11/2004 ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== For those in -L mode, to unsubscribe from this mailing list please send the command UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message to - [email protected] ============================== View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find marriage announcements and more. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 20/11/2004

As requested I have corrected the 39 files which were showing in error. I'll be running Upload Report ASAP to ensure they now reappear in it and the database. I'm willing to correct a further batch of files if any Co-ordinator would like to contact me with details of the files? Out of interest can you point me in the direction of the discussion which took place 12 to 18 months ago? It would be useful to know what was stated at the time to see if we need to learn anything in our communication to volunteers/co-ordinators. Thanks Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: JOHN PINGRAM <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 23 November 2004 09:43 Subject: Error in files age at death. This matter was aired on the list at the time, some 12 to 18 months ago, I don't remember any request to stop transcribing, and I suggest the number of files concerned indicates there was none. Alan is very welcome to rectify my files if he can, in fact I think if he has the means available he should alter the lot. To pull out 39 files from Freebmd, persuade each one individually into the modern version of Winbmd, flick the column switch and hope the column goes away and reload, on Dialup, well, I have more urgent things to do. While we are on the subject of 'errors', if one legitimately finishes a file with an unknown number of lines missing at the end with +BREAK it will appear in glorious technicolour on the Management page. Similarly if one follows TWYS and accurately reproduces the clerk's entry at the foot of the page, if that is not what someone thought he should write, it again appears in technicolour. On a lighter note, a transcriber sent me a screen shot and the file, showing what happened when she tried to upload. She wrote I haven't an idea what this is all about. I hadn't either. Close examination of the file showed a space in the Page column. It brought to mind a well known author writing in a computer magazine, he wrote, If you are as bemused as I am over some of the error messages in Windows, the smart thing to do is to select a few of the words and pop them in the Google search engine and see what you get! I rest my case. Kind regards, John ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 5:00 AM Subject: FREEBMD-SYNDICATES-D Digest V04 #162 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.4.1 - Release Date: 19/11/2004 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.4.1 - Release Date: 19/11/2004 ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== Want to help FreeBMD? Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. ============================== New! OneWorldTree. Building Trees. Connecting Families. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13970/rd.ashx

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 09:38:42 -0000, you wrote: > This matter was aired on the list at the time, some 12 to 18 months ago, I >don't remember any request to stop transcribing, and I suggest the number of >files concerned indicates there was none. The fact that the VAST majority of the files belong to a tiny number of transcribers suggest that this isn't a widespread problem. Rather it is a few transcribers who for one reason or another departed from the correct format. >While we are on the subject of 'errors', if one legitimately finishes a file >with an unknown number of lines missing at the end with +BREAK it will >appear in glorious technicolour on the Management page. Yes, as a warning. There are certain things which whilst possibly OK are worthy of a second look, and we flag them as warnings, but accept the file. >Similarly if one follows TWYS and accurately reproduces the clerk's entry at >the foot of the page, if that is not what someone thought he should write, >it again appears in technicolour. Same again! >On a lighter note, a transcriber sent me a screen shot and the file, showing >what happened when she tried to upload. She wrote I haven't an idea what >this is all about. I hadn't either. Close examination of the file showed a >space in the Page column. It brought to mind a well known author writing in >a computer magazine, he wrote, If you are as bemused as I am over some of >the error messages in Windows, the smart thing to do is to select a few of >the words and pop them in the Google search engine and see what you get! >I rest my case. Did you ask whether we can do something about it? If we receive constructive suggestions, we can often do something about issues. Unfortunately, all we seem to get is complaints about what we do, and complaints that we haven't fixed things we didn't know about. I really wonder why I bother. -- Dave Mayall

That's three of us who have volunteered to change the errant files, too good an opportunity for anyone to miss. You have to see the funny side. Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Dave Mayall <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 23 November 2004 17:08 Subject: Re: Statistics Quoting Dave Mayall <[email protected]>: > Third, where the transcriber has ceased to be active am I free to reallocate > > the scans whose files have been dropped and regard them as new work? I'd just fix the files, in fact if you tell me which files, I'll fix them myself, just to save the hassle which this seems to be causing. > First, could Dave explain what will happen if no-one corrects some or all of > > the affected files and I decide to take no action? They sit there waiting for somebody to do something about them. If necessary, I'll fix them myself.

Quoting John Slann <[email protected]>: > I would like to seek further information and clarification before going > further. > > Dave said; > > "> The new check on inappropriate age at death caused any file which > > contained age at death before 1866 to be dropped (the whole file is > > dropped, not just the records in error). > > > > These records will return to the DB once the files are corrected." > > First, please could Dave confirm that this means the files uploaded by any > transcribers who have included a query mark in the AaD column have had them > transcriptions totally erased so that they need to be uploaded again after > the question mark has been removed. If this is so could they be restored? The files have not been deleted or altered in any way. They are still there exactly as they were, just flagged as "error" > Second, if they have been totally deleted should I remove the uploaded > signal from my allocations work book? Not applicable > Third, where the transcriber has ceased to be active am I free to reallocate > > the scans whose files have been dropped and regard them as new work? I'd just fix the files, in fact if you tell me which files, I'll fix them myself, just to save the hassle which this seems to be causing. > Fourth, could Dave explain how the results of a search would have been > displayed if the question mark had remained? It would be displayed as whatever the transcriber entered. If he/she entered an uncertain character (?_*) the info screen would have stated that the transcriber was unsure of this entry. > Fifth, if the question mark was displayed in a search could it's presence > have been explained by a note? Yes. What should the note say? That we are sorry that some records are affected by the instructions not being followed properly > Sixth, why was it imperative to take action now, why not wait for the second > > keying? Second keying is in progress on some quarters. As to why now, because it happened to be the next job that got done > Further on Dave said: > > ">These records will return to the DB once the files are corrected" > > First, could Dave explain what will happen if no-one corrects some or all of > > the affected files and I decide to take no action? They sit there waiting for somebody to do something about them. If necessary, I'll fix them myself. > Second, does he agree that the phrase quoted above could be construed as > blackmail? No. > Elsewhere Dave said > > ">* indicates one or more missing characters > >_ indicates one missing character > >- indicates the literal "-" > >? indicates an unexpectedly blank field > > >None of these values validly represent what is found in deaths to > >1865, which is an expectedly blank field. > > But clearly "unexpected" to a fairly. long list of transcribers. I've just checked, and the fact that pre-1866 deaths have no age at death was explicitly stated on the site from 12/4/1999. If the transcribers found its absence unexpected; 1) Why didn't they read what it says on the site 2) Why did they continue with page upon page of deaths with AAD "unexpectedly" missing without asking for advice. > And finally this is another time when the failure to warn co-ordinators has > resulted in upsetting valued transcribers. This is another time where we made the assumption that the vast majority of transcribers had followed the instructions, and that tightening the validation to enforce those instructions would be no problem. > The one principally affected in > my syndicate is a couple who have devised a system for working together that > > produces accurate and speedy results from some of the most indifferent > material they have to use. They have never complained until now. Some > 10000 roughly 25% of their input has been arbitrarily removed from their > input. This represents about 250 files. The task is daunting, and they > would have my sympathy if they suggested that as far as FreeBMD is concerned > > it should find a large expanse of water and then engage in an athletic > pursuit that results in getting wet Why is it that whenever anything changes in any way whatsoever, the immediate reaction is howls of protest, and threats to take the ball home from all quarters? Why is it that we are immediately taken to task for daring to say a word that might suggest that the transcriber has (unfortunately) failed to follow instructions, and told that it's entirely understandable that the transcriber would do it like this and that we should just work round it. What on earth is wrong with "Transcriber X hadn't realised that this was the wrong way to do it, is there any way that we can sort his/her files out". Now if anybody wants help sorting a transcriber's files out, please ask. If anybody wants to jump up and down shouting that they want to be consulted before every single change is made to the site, then feel free. We have very few people coding for FreeBMD, and if everything they do results in people jumping up and down shouting, the whole problem will probably vanish, because no changes will ever be made to the site once we have no programmers left. -- Dave Mayall ---------------------------------------------- This mail sent through http://www.ukonline.net