Pat, I have it in spreadsheets, but we are talking 597 regular volumes, at least 101 volumes for amended records 1841-1899, 60 volumes for 1903 deaths, 103 for 1904 deaths, 101 for 1905 deaths, 99 for 1906 deaths, 112 for 1907 deaths, 107 for 1908 deaths, 108 for 1909 deaths, 115 for 1910 deaths, and I haven't worked on the amended records starting in 1900, but have already seen volume 68 in my wanderings. That and a list of towns and their counties would be important, because without it, the order of the regular volumes, amended records and post-1902 death records don't make a lot of sense. Regular volumes are by year, type, county and then town and amended records are by type and town town mostly and years only sort of play into it. There is a good reason why John Ledden repeats that the actual index information doesn't particularly count when fixing the database. Most errors on the on-line databases are scanning errors, but there are enough original clerk typing errors, that I can't just compare the index with the database and make corrections. If there is a difference between what is showing on the original index and the current NEHGS database, I have to check the entry's image before making changes, as it may already have been corrected and I would be changing it back to the incorrect entry. This is why I would like input from people that are good a figuring out how to present data. What I want someone to be able to do, is when that look for a record and either call up the image or look on the microfilm and see a Boston registration page when they needed Fall River, they can look at the sheet and figure out what volume it is most likely on. There are probably smart ways to summarize some of the data to make it clean. My natural tendency is to put too much into things and I need help overcoming it. Sue On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 9:39 AM, Patricia Hardenstine wrote: > Sue, > > Can the data be brought down to a spreadsheet such as excel? If so, then > you should be able to create a pdf from that file. > > Pat > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sue Richart" <srichart4@gmail.com> > To: <genmassachusetts@rootsweb.com>; <masuffol@rootsweb.com>; > <maessex@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 11:49 AM > Subject: [MAESSEX] NEHGS Mass Vital Records Database Assistance Request > > > > Greetings, > > As most of you know, I've been working on cleaning up the NEHGS's > > Massachusetts Vital Records 1841-1910 on-line database. I've spent a bit > > of > > time figuring out the pattern for regular, supplemental, and post-1902 > > death > > records volumes and am getting close to having it all plotted out. I > > would > > like assistance from one or more people in developing a printable pdf > form > > that shows the structure of the database. My intent would be to have it > > available at the NEHGS, Family History Centers, and for personal use by > > people that use the database or FHL microfilms. My goal is to have it > > ready > > by September and the Washington State Genealogical Conference in Spokane, > > where I'll be presenting on the NEHGS website. I enjoy fixing the > > database, > > but just don't have the talent to develop a user-friendly compact > > cheat-sheet for displaying the data. If you have that skill and would > > like > > to assist me with this project, please email me directly. > > > > Sue Richart > > NEHGS Volunteer >