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

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 >

Ian, I believe this is how it has always worked. Seems like a bug to me. Do you want to raise a task? Barrie > -----Original Message----- > From: Ian Brooke [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: 23 November 2004 00:55 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Syndicate Coordinator Login > > > Hi Folks, > Can anyone tell me if there is a minor problem with this page > or if it's just me. What seems to be happening is that if I > try to login using an incorrect password it just goes back to > that page, there is no error message displayed and the > ID/password fields are not cleared - ie I can't tell anything > has actually happened never mind gone wrong? I just tried it > half a dozen times getting this result each time, then I > guessed I'd mis-typed the password so cleared the box and > typed it again and got in without further problem? Cheers Ian > > > --- > 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: 19/11/2004 > > > ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== > Want to help FreeBMD? > Go to http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html to find out how. > > ============================== > OneWorldTree - The World's largest family tree. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13971/rd.ashx >

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

On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 15:56:33 -0500 (EST), you wrote: >Hi Dave: > >I don't, as far as I am aware, have any files containing "unknown" death >entries. Nevertheless, I am compelled to comment on this situation of the >pre-1866 files. >I believe that the position in the record of the death entry is well >defined. That being so, all entries containing incorrect data can be fixed >programmatically. That assumes that the error can be identified! The program identifies an error condition, namely the presence of AaD on a pre-1866 death record. It cannot identify what the correct course of action is. The simplistic view is that the AaD should be removed from these files, but that ignores the other option that the date header is wrong. This may be a less common cause, but it will be the case for some files >Apart from the amount of time involved, it is certain that additional >errors will be introduced during the correction process itself. I would >not be surprised to hear that volunteers decline to make these corrections >and this would be a real loss to the freeBMD project. So, there is an error, and we should guess what the fix is, because people may refuse to put their files right. >Can you or someone you know come up with a satisfactory solution? No. I can come up with a number of solutions which are unsatisfactory from the point of view of getting the best quality data, but I suspect I'll run a white flag up the mast, because it seems that expedience is more important than quality. -- Dave Mayall

Should any volunteer feel disinclined to change their files I will quite happily fix them for them. Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Peter Adams <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 22 November 2004 20:56 Subject: Re: error in files Age at Death Hi Dave: I don't, as far as I am aware, have any files containing "unknown" death entries. Nevertheless, I am compelled to comment on this situation of the pre-1866 files. I believe that the position in the record of the death entry is well defined. That being so, all entries containing incorrect data can be fixed programmatically. If this can be done with a reasonable effort, I do not understand why volunteers are required to fix entries individually by hand. Apart from the amount of time involved, it is certain that additional errors will be introduced during the correction process itself. I would not be surprised to hear that volunteers decline to make these corrections and this would be a real loss to the freeBMD project. Can you or someone you know come up with a satisfactory solution? Regards, Peter Adams The MacPack On Mon, 22 Nov 2004, Dave Mayall wrote: > On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 10:26:47 -0000, you wrote: > > >You wrote: > >Hi > > > >A list of volunteers with Red warning files can be found on my Web Page at: > > > >http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/FreeBMD_Errorfiles.htm . > > > >I'm still working on some of the information. > > > >Could I please ask Co-ordinators to liase with their volunteers to correct > >the errant files? > > > > > >Regards > > > >Allan Raymond > > > >Hi, > >May I respectfully ask what is to be gained by altering 39 files in my case, > >I noticed another at 50, all done before Winbmd was altered to cope with no > >age at death. Adding a '?' > > or '*' was the option open to us at the time. Of course we will alter them > >if really necessary but they have lasted all this time, and I thought, > >perhaps wrongly, that we did not ask people to go back on matters of this > >kind. > > To the best of my knowledge, there was NEVER any official advice > offered to use "?" or "*" (or indeed "_" or "-") in this field. > > This is why we always suggest that if people encounter a difficult > situation, they should ask for advice, and NOT just come up with > something that seems to work OK. > > As to asking people to go back. The convention is that where we change > the rules, we don't ask people to go back. Where the rules have always > been the same, but the software didn't check quite strictly enough, we > will ask people to go back. > > -- > 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] > > ============================== > OneWorldTree - The World's largest family tree. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13971/rd.ashx > > ==== 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

Should any volunteer feel disinclined to change their files I will quite happily fix them for them. Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Peter Adams <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 22 November 2004 20:56 Subject: Re: error in files Age at Death Hi Dave: I don't, as far as I am aware, have any files containing "unknown" death entries. Nevertheless, I am compelled to comment on this situation of the pre-1866 files. I believe that the position in the record of the death entry is well defined. That being so, all entries containing incorrect data can be fixed programmatically. If this can be done with a reasonable effort, I do not understand why volunteers are required to fix entries individually by hand. Apart from the amount of time involved, it is certain that additional errors will be introduced during the correction process itself. I would not be surprised to hear that volunteers decline to make these corrections and this would be a real loss to the freeBMD project. Can you or someone you know come up with a satisfactory solution? Regards, Peter Adams The MacPack On Mon, 22 Nov 2004, Dave Mayall wrote: > On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 10:26:47 -0000, you wrote: > > >You wrote: > >Hi > > > >A list of volunteers with Red warning files can be found on my Web Page at: > > > >http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/FreeBMD_Errorfiles.htm . > > > >I'm still working on some of the information. > > > >Could I please ask Co-ordinators to liase with their volunteers to correct > >the errant files? > > > > > >Regards > > > >Allan Raymond > > > >Hi, > >May I respectfully ask what is to be gained by altering 39 files in my case, > >I noticed another at 50, all done before Winbmd was altered to cope with no > >age at death. Adding a '?' > > or '*' was the option open to us at the time. Of course we will alter them > >if really necessary but they have lasted all this time, and I thought, > >perhaps wrongly, that we did not ask people to go back on matters of this > >kind. > > To the best of my knowledge, there was NEVER any official advice > offered to use "?" or "*" (or indeed "_" or "-") in this field. > > This is why we always suggest that if people encounter a difficult > situation, they should ask for advice, and NOT just come up with > something that seems to work OK. > > As to asking people to go back. The convention is that where we change > the rules, we don't ask people to go back. Where the rules have always > been the same, but the software didn't check quite strictly enough, we > will ask people to go back. > > -- > 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] > > ============================== > OneWorldTree - The World's largest family tree. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13971/rd.ashx > > ==== 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

On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 10:26:47 -0000, you wrote: >You wrote: >Hi > >A list of volunteers with Red warning files can be found on my Web Page at: > >http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/FreeBMD_Errorfiles.htm . > >I'm still working on some of the information. > >Could I please ask Co-ordinators to liase with their volunteers to correct >the errant files? > > >Regards > >Allan Raymond > >Hi, >May I respectfully ask what is to be gained by altering 39 files in my case, >I noticed another at 50, all done before Winbmd was altered to cope with no >age at death. Adding a '?' > or '*' was the option open to us at the time. Of course we will alter them >if really necessary but they have lasted all this time, and I thought, >perhaps wrongly, that we did not ask people to go back on matters of this >kind. To the best of my knowledge, there was NEVER any official advice offered to use "?" or "*" (or indeed "_" or "-") in this field. This is why we always suggest that if people encounter a difficult situation, they should ask for advice, and NOT just come up with something that seems to work OK. As to asking people to go back. The convention is that where we change the rules, we don't ask people to go back. Where the rules have always been the same, but the software didn't check quite strictly enough, we will ask people to go back. -- Dave Mayall

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). These records will return to the DB once the files are corrected. 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

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. John

Hi Folks, Can anyone tell me if there is a minor problem with this page or if it's just me. What seems to be happening is that if I try to login using an incorrect password it just goes back to that page, there is no error message displayed and the ID/password fields are not cleared - ie I can't tell anything has actually happened never mind gone wrong? I just tried it half a dozen times getting this result each time, then I guessed I'd mis-typed the password so cleared the box and typed it again and got in without further problem? Cheers Ian --- 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: 19/11/2004

Hi Dave: I don't, as far as I am aware, have any files containing "unknown" death entries. Nevertheless, I am compelled to comment on this situation of the pre-1866 files. I believe that the position in the record of the death entry is well defined. That being so, all entries containing incorrect data can be fixed programmatically. If this can be done with a reasonable effort, I do not understand why volunteers are required to fix entries individually by hand. Apart from the amount of time involved, it is certain that additional errors will be introduced during the correction process itself. I would not be surprised to hear that volunteers decline to make these corrections and this would be a real loss to the freeBMD project. Can you or someone you know come up with a satisfactory solution? Regards, Peter Adams The MacPack On Mon, 22 Nov 2004, Dave Mayall wrote: > On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 10:26:47 -0000, you wrote: > > >You wrote: > >Hi > > > >A list of volunteers with Red warning files can be found on my Web Page at: > > > >http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/FreeBMD_Errorfiles.htm . > > > >I'm still working on some of the information. > > > >Could I please ask Co-ordinators to liase with their volunteers to correct > >the errant files? > > > > > >Regards > > > >Allan Raymond > > > >Hi, > >May I respectfully ask what is to be gained by altering 39 files in my case, > >I noticed another at 50, all done before Winbmd was altered to cope with no > >age at death. Adding a '?' > > or '*' was the option open to us at the time. Of course we will alter them > >if really necessary but they have lasted all this time, and I thought, > >perhaps wrongly, that we did not ask people to go back on matters of this > >kind. > > To the best of my knowledge, there was NEVER any official advice > offered to use "?" or "*" (or indeed "_" or "-") in this field. > > This is why we always suggest that if people encounter a difficult > situation, they should ask for advice, and NOT just come up with > something that seems to work OK. > > As to asking people to go back. The convention is that where we change > the rules, we don't ask people to go back. Where the rules have always > been the same, but the software didn't check quite strictly enough, we > will ask people to go back. > > -- > 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] > > ============================== > OneWorldTree - The World's largest family tree. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13971/rd.ashx > >

Hi I'm not on my own PC at the moment. I've been asked by a number of Co-ordinators to update the links from my Web Page. As already mentioned below "I'm already working on the information". I will try and complete the information later today and am working in the order of volunteers who have the greatest number of error files. At the same time. I'm carrying out my own check of the volunteers File Management to confirm the information I'm giving you is correct. One Co-ordinator has already queried some of the details I provided against some of his volunteers. My little fingers are going as quick as they can. Thanks Allan Raymond start of previous message A list of volunteers with Red warning files can be found on my Web Page at: http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/FreeBMD_Errorfiles.htm . I'm still working on some of the information. Could I please ask Co-ordinators to liaise with their volunteers to correct the errant files? Regards Allan Raymond ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 8:06 AM Subject: FREEBMD-SYNDICATES-D Digest V04 #161 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. ============================== 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 Allan Raymond Monarchies of Europe Web Site at http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Monarchies_of_Europe.htm)

You wrote: Hi A list of volunteers with Red warning files can be found on my Web Page at: http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/FreeBMD_Errorfiles.htm . I'm still working on some of the information. Could I please ask Co-ordinators to liase with their volunteers to correct the errant files? Regards Allan Raymond Hi, May I respectfully ask what is to be gained by altering 39 files in my case, I noticed another at 50, all done before Winbmd was altered to cope with no age at death. Adding a '?' or '*' was the option open to us at the time. Of course we will alter them if really necessary but they have lasted all this time, and I thought, perhaps wrongly, that we did not ask people to go back on matters of this kind. Regards, John ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 8:06 AM Subject: FREEBMD-SYNDICATES-D Digest V04 #161 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

Hi A list of volunteers with Red warning files can be found on my Web Page at: http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/FreeBMD_Errorfiles.htm . I'm still working on some of the information. Could I please ask Co-ordinators to liase with their volunteers to correct the errant files? Regards Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Allan Raymond <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 20 November 2004 00:09 Subject: Error Files - Age at Death Files Prior to 1866 To Syndicate Co-ordinators To be forewarned. I've just put the following message on the File Management page at: http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/bmd-files.pl Start > **** Age at Death Files Prior to 1866 **** Age at death was added to records contained in post 1865 deaths indexes. Stricter checking of files containing death records prior to 1866 has just been introduced and will cause files to be rejected if the age at death field is shown other than blank Such files will be shown in RED, don't panic if you don't know how to correct the files as help will be given by either your Co-ordinator or one of the Central Team. < End I've been supplied with a list of transcribers whose files fall into the above category and will try and get details out to Co-ordinators ASAP. Any files shown with the RED error will be visible via Show Files but will not be included in Upload Report. When in File Management the files with errors can be readily sorted by selecting Warnings and Descending options. Typically, invalid records will be of the format BEANS,David,*,Abergavenny,26,21 or Norris,Richard,_,W.Derby,8b,448 To eliminate the error warnings it will be necessary to deleted the extraneous age at death entries such * or _ . I'm not sure if there is a quick way of doing this but the test method I employed was to open an errant file up in WordPad and use the replace option. Any other suggestions most welcome. I do have another life, so please bear with me until I can get further information out to Co-ordinators Allan Raymond ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== To find out about the FreeBMD project please start at http://FreeBMD.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

To Syndicate Co-ordinators It may be useful to give my regular reminder about the facility available to transfer ownership of volunteer SubmitterIDs ( possible due to inactivity or not answering emails) across to their Syndicate Co-ordinator. Transfers are normally required to enable the Co-ordinators to corrects errors in files uploaded by the volunteers The process is explained in formal terms in: http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/synaccess.html . In reality I hope the system is not that formal, a simple request to me (better if it is sent via [email protected] ) giving the name and SubmitterID of the volunteer who requires to be transferred plus confirmation the Co-ordinator has tried to make contact with the volunteer is all that is needed. Whilst I try to turn around requests within a week, there are occasions when it takes far longer. Please don't chase me up for requests outstanding for less than 7 days. As far as I am aware I have now met all requests for transfer of ownership.... unless any Co-ordinator knows something to the contrary (I have to deal with two from John Mellors received in the last two days) ? **** IMPORTANT **** http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/synaccess.html has been updated to take into account a modified process where transfer of ownership of a volunteer's SubmitterID is requested due to the untimely death of the volunteer. I have had a handful of such requests and I am most concerned that we do not cause any further distress to the volunteer's relatives by inadvertently sending any routine FreeBMD emails to them. Where a request is made by a Co-ordinator to take ownership of the deceased volunteer's SubmitterID, the Co-ordinator should also change the email address of the volunteer to their own address at the same time as they change the password. Please also add "Deceased - RIP" after the name of the volunteer e.g. Joe Bloggs (Deceased - RIP) This is a very sensitive issue and I wouldn't wish to cause further distress by this process, but it would identify to anyone involved in FreeBMD administration the situation regarding the individual? I'm open to any alternative suggestions from Co-ordinators. Regards Allan Raymond

To Syndicate Co-ordinators To be forewarned. I've just put the following message on the File Management page at: http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/bmd-files.pl Start > **** Age at Death Files Prior to 1866 **** Age at death was added to records contained in post 1865 deaths indexes. Stricter checking of files containing death records prior to 1866 has just been introduced and will cause files to be rejected if the age at death field is shown other than blank Such files will be shown in RED, don't panic if you don't know how to correct the files as help will be given by either your Co-ordinator or one of the Central Team. < End I've been supplied with a list of transcribers whose files fall into the above category and will try and get details out to Co-ordinators ASAP. Any files shown with the RED error will be visible via Show Files but will not be included in Upload Report. When in File Management the files with errors can be readily sorted by selecting Warnings and Descending options. Typically, invalid records will be of the format BEANS,David,*,Abergavenny,26,21 or Norris,Richard,_,W.Derby,8b,448 To eliminate the error warnings it will be necessary to deleted the extraneous age at death entries such * or _ . I'm not sure if there is a quick way of doing this but the test method I employed was to open an errant file up in WordPad and use the replace option. Any other suggestions most welcome. I do have another life, so please bear with me until I can get further information out to Co-ordinators Allan Raymond

I have taken on a few transcribers working on Excel who are not able to download WinBMD. I am willing to take a few more. Various circumstances, including using work computers in lunch hour. I have an Excel file I send them which helps them to get the header details right, and also has a lookup for volume numbers from districts. Harder to get started than on WinBMD, but can produce good results. In some cases the upload has been a problem - for example one working in a public library - but by sending me the file I have been able to upload - though the transcriber doesn't get the credit due. Jeff Co-ordinator of the Jeff Coleman syndicate of volunteer transcribers working for FreeBMD --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.796 / Virus Database: 540 - Release Date: 14/11/2004

Keith I think it would be better if the information was included in our Join FreeBMD Page at: http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Signup.html ? I've got a task on the system to change this page for another reason and could incorporate this new requirement at the same time. Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Keith Simpson <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: 17 November 2004 23:26 Subject: Joining FreeBMD Over the past couple of weeks I have had enquires from people who appear to be using their work place computers. As nearly all companies do not allow their employees access to download programs or upload files to the internet. Would it be possible to place a note on the home page stating that volunteers must have the ability to download/upload files to the internet. The only place I can find any reference to this is on the http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/7steps.shtml half way down the page, or have I missed it on the home page. thanks Keith Gandalf(uk) ==== FREEBMD-SYNDICATES Mailing List ==== To find out about the FreeBMD project please start at http://FreeBMD.rootsweb.com ============================== Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx

Just in case you don't know. Co-Ords can view all of one members uploaded files at any time here http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/show-file.pl Just enter the users SubmitterID in the Users box and leave the File box blank. On the page produced is a list of files with a clickable link to view each file. The list is in real time so has all uploads in it up to it's creation. Garry Kiwiz