Some years ago I had a 1683 English court record, as well as several wills from the same era, to transcribe. I also used a "split screen" (two monitors, actually) but further, I opened up the image in Photoshop, added a layer and on that layer I added blue lines where between the lines of text. Then, I put line numbers (including blank "lines) on both sides. The document was yellowish with the usual light gray (by now) ink. On the transcribed side, I used a three column table, again with numbers on the left and right columns, keeping each line from the document with its line, including all the inserts, cross-outs, and so on. I found it much easier to keep my eyes on track, especially when going back and forth in the document. Additionally, as I went, I used text colors in the transcription in addition to the square brackets, to focus on "problem words" as I found them. Amazing how many times what was unclear at the beginning of a document became clear by the time my eye saw it later in the text. I found the split screen and numbering method to be very effective, and still use it. It may take a little longer initially, but saves much time in the end. Especially after a few weeks going back from the transcription to the original document to check something or compare the original with later found documents. For maintaining the document in my database, I have four copies. The original, the original with lines, the transcription with lines, and the transcription with 17th century font and modern day flow, for the sake of current non-genealogist readers. Now, if someone will give me a good "thorn" to use in my fonts, I'd be forever grateful. Pat Dunford Tucson -----Original Message----- From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 2:31 PM To: Transitional-Genealogists-Forum@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [TGF] Hyphenated words in transcriptions To amplify what Janis said, Chapter 16 of _Professional Genealogy_ is the one that the BU course, ProGen Study and others use to teach transcribing and abstracting skills. The chapter gives examples and gives points on certain characters. It does say that anything you introduce should be in square brackets otherwise transcribe what you see. My own habits depend on how the final will be presented. I may transcribe in a split screen line for line so that it is easy to compare. Then if the use makes more sense to run the lines together, I take out the line breaks. Good to see you on this list, Cynthia! -- Elissa