Getting Started as a Volunteer Transcriber

Software for Data Entry

Gloucestershire Archives (formerly Gloucester Record Office) are allowing us to photograph the original parish registers of the Forest of Dean, and so the main source of data we have available for the project is imagery.

We also have a number of microfiche available which you can transcribe from.

Templates are available for data entry in the preferred format (Excel) for each type of register. If volunteers do not have Excel available, other formats will also be acceptable, including Lotus 1-2-3 and Approach; Microsoft Access and Works spreadsheets. A list of column headings/field labels will be supplied for anyone wishing to use these alternative formats.

Excel files are compatible and can be used with the free, open-source software OpenOffice (Windows and Macintosh) and NeoOffice (Macintosh) programs.

Instructions, Guidance Notes and Templates

The transcribers instructions and templates have been kindly supplied to us by the Gloucestershire Archives for use by people involved with the Forest of Dean Parish Records Project.

Transcription Progress Overview

Parishes which have so far been transcribed and what parishes we have media available for transcribing is all on our Progress Overview page.

How long can I take to enter data?

Entering data from one register, say baptisms, of a small parish can take many weeks of work. Some people sit at it for hours at a time (for some boring), other set aside a few hours per week, or set a target to reach a certain date, or enter a certain number of records in one session. You work at your own pace.

Help and assistance

Transcripts mailing list - For those who have little or no experience transcribing records, if you have any difficulties or you are not sure what to do, you will be able to post a question to the list.

We have a number of people who are involved with project who have a lot of experience in transcribing records and I am sure between us, we should be able to answer just about any query on the subject that you may have.

First step in starting as a Volunteer Transcriber

If you have decided you would like to become a Volunteer Transcriber or require additional information, you can contact Graham Davison the Project Co-Ordinator, by going to our Contact Us page on the website and choosing the General Contact form to send a message which will be directed to him.