Transcribing parish registers

[tb]

Don't know if anyone on here would be interested in transcribing parish registers, but they are looking for volunteers to transcribe parish registers. It would be baptisms, marriages or burials.

I've just started doing it, and it's really interesting.

You don't have to commit to loads of time, just as much as you can spare.

Is the handwriting difficult to decipher? I've been thinking about volunteering to transcribe for FreeBMD, but just wasn't sure how much time it would involve.

I'm doing it for West Yorkshire, and the writing isn't too bad. I think they're looking for anything from an hour a week.

The register I've done so far from 1813, the writing is quite readable, a family one from Dewsbury from the same time is even worse than a doctor's writing, so like most things, it varies. You can often find other words that give you clues, as well as being able to zoom the images. I only had 1 name I found that had 2 letters I couldn't read.

I've actually just starting transcribing for FreeBMD. I'm doing 1970s births so it's all typewritten and easy enough to read, although the handwritten amendments can be a bit of a challenge sometimes!

Mine's through FreeReg, too.The practice info included styles of writing - the one used in W Yorks in about 1810 is secretary, and is sort of standard copperplate. However, a lot depends on the quality of the nib used. From searching parish records on ancestry, some looks a bit spiderish.