Hints for The Warwickshire Ancestors Project

The Warwickshire project is run by Michael McCormick, with web site and post-validation support from Pickard Trepess. Jeanagh Punter is the project recruiter. There is a "Helper's" list, to ask questions, get answers and to receive advice of changes to the software and so on. There is also a 'chat' list for more frivolous subjects. In the first instance, it will be easier for you to address any questions to me but you are free to post questions to the Helper's list, to which you will be automatically subscribed.

The task is to deliver up to the project transcribed, checked and validated census returns. You are entering the first stage, transcription. Someone else will check your work when you have finished it. There is no time limit, other than advancing years, especially mine.

You have a number of fiche, each of which can hold up to 100 pages. However, a lot of these pages will contain little or no data to be transcribed. How you do it is up to you. There are two possibilities for inputting the data� INCENS or SSCENS. The latter is a spreadsheet-based system which allows editing of the inputted data. INCENS has the advantage of enforcing a disciplined approach. Whichever method you chose, you must stick to the rules laid down by the project designers.

Each fiche contains a mass of data. Each fiche set is a 'piece' which has a number. The 1891 returns are classified as RG12, and the piece numbers are 4 digits long and found in the top right corner of each fiche. Each fiche has two place names; the registration district and sub district. There is also an LDS film number of no interest to us.

Each page has a page number, printed top right. There is also a folio number, stamped top right, usually outside the page margins. These numbers are stamped on every other page, the pages without the numbers take the number of the preceding page. If the folio numbers are missing or impossible to read, move on, find one and extrapolate backwards. The enumeration district number is at the beginning of each round. If it isn't, move through the fiche till one is found and work backwards again. Take the time to transcribe the enumerator's round - it is often better written than the actual returns.

You must transcribe "as is". We do not transcribe all the data from the top edge of the page, for reasons to do with the software. The ecclesiastical parish is entered by the checker. Don't linger too long over something difficult. Give it your best shot, flag it up as a query, and if necessary, leave a note for the checker. Think of it as a three step process; transcriber, checker and validater.

If you are struggling with the handwriting, please don't give up. Give each line your best shot, but have a line for each entry. Remember that every 20 or so pages, the enumerator will change, and so may your luck.

Please, please, work through the tutorial, read the Help file and the FAQ, and do a few households in the Test mode. It will pay off, because sadly, most questions that are asked are already answered in the Help file or the FAQ.

Please keep in touch with your organisers. Use the county ID in the subject line. Best is to send in a copy of your work so far, when you have done about 6 pages, that way we can catch any problems before they get serious. When you finish the task, report in and ask for instructions.

REMEMBER, this is supposed to be fun as well as worthy!!!!