by Diane L. Richard, NCGS Journal Editor, journaleditor@ncgenealogy.org
The first issue of volume 42 of the NCGS Journal was sent to the printers at the end of January and was simultaneously posted to the NCGS website. The print copy is probably in your hands. Thanks again to all who helped, especially the proofreaders who stepped up with short notice to help finalize this edition.
Transcribers Needed
Several volunteers have stepped up to help with the content for the next edition of the Journal. They’ve been transcribing an early 1800s Bertie ledger, a 1786 Chatham petition, a circa 1790s Burke ledger, a mid-1800s Davie County ledger, some pre-1830 Hertford records, some Wilkes school censuses, and more! Many transcribers are not NCGS members nor are they researching North Carolina ancestry or even living in North Carolina. They simply want to give back to the genealogical community. Future transcription projects include some Sampson County Wardens of the Poor Records (early to mid 1800s) among others.
Additionally, a few individuals have submitted materials regarding death notices, slave rentals, court cases, and even a pre-1900 North Carolinian who died in Australia. Thanks to those who have done so (and they are not all NCGS members). Please keep those submissions coming.
Real-time information about transcriber needs is posted on the NCGS Facebook page, the North Carolina Genealogy Network Facebook page, and the North Carolina Genealogy Facebook page. If you want to see currently available projects, please check out the NCGS Journal Transcription Projects web page or, send an e-mail to journaleditor@ncgenealogy.org to volunteer and I’ll see what is currently unclaimed.
Records of Interest Facebook Poll
I recently conducted a quick poll on the NCGS Facebook page to try and get a sense of what counties and time periods interest researchers. Respondents were requested to limit their choices to three counties. Here are the results of that poll. This information will be used as one element for prioritizing future material for the Journal.
As you can see, the interests expressed so far are quite diverse. Please chime in and send an e-mail to journaleditor@ncgenealogy.org with your vote on your top three counties of interest and the associated time periods. So far Anson, Bertie, Halifax, Orange, and Wayne are most selected.
Transcription Project Manager Needed
Do you consider yourself an organized person? Is managing projects up your alley? I could use someone to help manage the transcription projects and coordinate the transcribers. I love using crowdsourcing techniques to involve as many people as possible to make light work of making new and exciting content relevant to researching North Carolina ancestry. The more the merrier, as they say.
Responsibilities for this volunteer position would be:
1. Keep the Dropbox project list current by updating each projects status and assigned transcriber(s).
2. Follow up with new volunteers, provide the guidelines document, help ID a project to work on, get the ball rolling, assign a due date, etc.
3. Follow up with volunteers as the Journal deadlines near with a gentle reminder.
4. Periodically send out e-mails to past volunteers to let them know of new transcription projects and to let the webmaster know of any updates needed on the NCGS website.
5. Maintain a master project list of incoming, in process, and completed projects.
If this sounds like just the volunteer job for you, please e-mail me at journaleditor@ncgenealogy.org to express your interest. Again, you do NOT have to be an NCGS member to volunteer in this way.
Transcribing Webinar Coming
NCGS will soon be taping an introductory transcription video that will be available for new transcribers to access. Elements of the video will include an introduction to transcribing, what to watch out for, some tricks of the trade, some examples, the power of multiple eyes, real-time transcription opportunities, and more. Watch for news for when this will become available in future Journal Jottings.
Thanks again to all who have helped and to those who will volunteer in the future. It does take a village to create a journal.
Go Journal Team!!!