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Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:05 am
by snoopysue
Can't quite make up my mind as to how the various sites handle transcription errors!
I've informed FMP of quite a few now, and I like the fact that they send me a mail to let me know what they've decided, but that means the old transcription is gone. One transcription error where a name was spelt incorrectly (only knew this because of other census records), they decided not to change it, and I can see why when looking at the image - but it'll make it harder to find for other people.
Ancestry at least you can make your mind up for yourself, so you can see the original and the new interpretation. I know sometimes I've felt that it was annoying that I couldn't submit all information. And I'm not quite sure whether Ancestry review the submitted transcriptions.
I wouldn't say that one site transcripts better than the other, I think I've come across a fair few on both sites!
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:10 am
by Antie Em
snoopysue wrote:Can't quite make up my mind as to how the various sites handle transcription errors!
I've informed FMP of quite a few now, and I like the fact that they send me a mail to let me know what they've decided, but that means the old transcription is gone. One transcription error where a name was spelt incorrectly (only knew this because of other census records), they decided not to change it, and I can see why when looking at the image - but it'll make it harder to find for other people.
Ancestry at least you can make your mind up for yourself, so you can see the original and the new interpretation. I know sometimes I've felt that it was annoying that I couldn't submit all information. And I'm not quite sure whether Ancestry review the submitted transcriptions.
I wouldn't say that one site transcripts better than the other, I think I've come across a fair few on both sites!
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:12 am
by snoopysue
What are you trying to say Antie Em?
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:33 am
by Antie Em
snoopysue wrote:What are you trying to say Antie Em?
Sorry pressed the wrong button - then sent a message but it hasn't appeared. I have seen many transcripton errors on Ancestry and never copy anything from the front page - I always take a look at the original page and use my own judgement. It does make you wonder where the transcriptions were done when you see Widower transcribed as Windower and then altered by a member of Ancestry staff - I have seen this many times.
I supposed they went for the cheapest option
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:39 am
by snoopysue
Antie Em wrote: I have seen many transcripton errors on Ancestry and never copy anything from the front page - I always take a look at the original page and use my own judgement. It does make you wonder where the transcriptions were done when you see Widower transcribed as Windower and then altered by a member of Ancestry staff - I have seen this many times.
I supposed they went for the cheapest option
I suppose if I sat transcribing images all day, then towards the end of the day I'd probably be cross-eyed! But sometimes I wonder, as it shows a lack of knowledge in some cases.
I had one person transcribed as being born in Derbyshire Wales! I looked closely at the image, it says Denbyshire Wales. I can understand that the transcriber maybe had never heard of Denbyshire (the census man should have spelt it Denbighshire), but surely the fact that Derbyshire is no where near Wales, should have made them think!! FMP have changed it!
I expect you're right about the cheapest option!
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:17 am
by SRD
They may be using an OCR app to do the transcribing and just checking through for errors, as you say, at the end of the day it's easy for tired eyes to miss such things as an r for an n.
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:23 am
by snoopysue
SRD wrote:They may be using an OCR app to do the transcribing and just checking through for errors, as you say, at the end of the day it's easy for tired eyes to miss such things as an r for an n.
For those of us who don't know, what's an OCR?
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:02 am
by MarkCDodd
Optical Character Recognition.
Its an automated way of transferring printed text to electronic format.
OCR has come a long way in the last few years and even handwriting as well as printed text can be deciphered.
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:23 am
by linell
I was told that Ancestry used the American Prisoners to transcribe their fiche
Linell.
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:26 am
by snoopysue
Wonder if it could cope with my husbands handwriting!
Or even worse one of the consultants at work - his handwriting looks great, but trying to read it is not always easy, I've asked him on occasion what he's written, and he can't always read it himself! He's dyslexic, so he can't always tell if it's a b or a p he should be writing so it looks like it could be either, and the same with on m or two, it could be either! Luckily now we're digital with voice recognition for reports, but his spelling mistakes always make me smile!
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:28 am
by snoopysue
linell wrote:I was told that Ancestry used the American Prisoners to transcribe their fiche
Linell.
That would explain a lot!
It wouldn't be allowed in Denmark, as you would be taking work away from legitimate companies!!! I wouldn't have anything against using them to pick up litter or something similar - work that improves all our lives, but maybe the local council can't afford to do!
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:29 am
by Antie Em
linell wrote:I was told that Ancestry used the American Prisoners to transcribe their fiche
Linell.
I'd heard that too Linell and I also heard that the 1901 was sent to India. Remember the day that was realeased - what a performance. It was down for longer than it was running, no broadband, everyone on dial up, I don't think I left my computer for 24 hours, grabbing every bit of information I could.
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:30 am
by snoopysue
Antie Em wrote:I'd heard that too Linell and I also heard that the 1901 was sent to India. Remember the day that was realeased - what a performance. It was down for longer than it was running, no broadband, everyone on dial up, I don't think I left my computer for 24 hours, grabbing every bit of information I could.
Sounds like a nightmare!
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:00 am
by Antie Em
snoopysue wrote:Antie Em wrote:I'd heard that too Linell and I also heard that the 1901 was sent to India. Remember the day that was realeased - what a performance. It was down for longer than it was running, no broadband, everyone on dial up, I don't think I left my computer for 24 hours, grabbing every bit of information I could.
Sounds like a nightmare!
It was Snoopy - but oh so exciting
Re: Transcription Errors
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:05 am
by snoopysue
I can imagine you'd be sitting there with a list of names, itching to get started! And so frustrating when the site went down!!