Start Transcribing

TRANSCRIBING MEANS TO TYPE THE ORIGINAL HANDWRITING INTO A TYPEWRITTEN SCRIPT

How to Locate a Diary and Page of your Choice to Transcribe:

1. Start from the homepage and click “Transcribe” on the main menu bar at the top of the homepage, and then click “Transcribe” from the dropdown menu. 
2. Click on a diary collection of your choice, i.e “Lucy Middagh Diary Collection“. 
3. Scroll down and click on a diary year in that collection, i.e “Lucy Middagh Diary 1884”. 
4. Now all the handwritten diary pages will appear as small images. Continue to scroll down past these until you reach the list of pdfs.  
5. Press the page/pdf file of your choice and the handwritten page will appear. 
6. Scroll down to “Transcription Tips” and read these before you begin transcribing. 

How to Transcribe a Page:

1. Scroll up to “Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]” and press “[edit].” A transcription box will appear. Typed words are present in it, if someone else has been transcribing. If so, simply move to the next page until you find a page with an empty transcription box. Then, press “Detach” on the right of the screen above the transcription box to move the box to a more convenient location. You can change its location and dimensions by clicking and dragging its edges. You can place the box just below or beside a few handwritten sentences to see both at the same time.  You can zoom in on the handwritten diary page to clarify and enlarge it. The scroll bar allows you to move within the handwriting.  
2. Begin typing in the transcription box. Quick tips are below the box. 
3. When done, proof your transcription. Then REMEMBER to press “Save Transcription” at the bottom of the box to save your work. 
4. Click on “Transcribe” on the top menu and the drop-down menu provides additional tips on transcribing.