FreeCEN Transcription

What's involved:

Transcribers examine images of census pages for the purpose of creating a computer file which will represent an accurate transcript of the original document, complete with such errors and omissions as may exist.
Variations from the original may be made under tightly controlled conditions (See "Enumerator's Errors" [7b] ).

The images may be provided in the form of micro-fiche, film, or CD according to the arrangements made for each specific county project.

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For a project as extensive as FreeCEN aims to become it is vital that certain standards are maintained so that all work is carried out to a consistent style regardless of the census year or region under consideration.

There are two "approved" computer routines provided by way of Internet Download:-

INCENS or WINCENS (These two names are now used interchangably although, historically, "INCENS" was the original programme written for a DOS Operating System, and was superceded by WINCENS, written for Windows use). INCENS is a purpose written routine comprising screen templates with 'prompts' and fields into which data is to be entered. INCENS includes various 'drop-down' lists from which standard data may be selected (by mouse click) and it also applies stringent tests which ensure that essential information has been entered in a compliant manner. Only when such tests are satisfied can the data be 'saved' so that work can continue with data entry for the next resident. Some computers and operating systems are found not to run INCENS satisfactorily.

SSCENS SSCENS is a spreadsheet specification (as opposed to a programme) which defines the standards to be applied if a Transcriber chooses to do data entry into a spreadsheet layout. SSCENS cannot impose any worker discipline during the data entry but Utility programmes are available which enable a Transcriber or their Co-Ordinator to check work for compliance with the required standards.

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Transcription work is allocated as conveniently sized "Pieces" which may, typically, contain records for 1000 up to 6000 residents.

Computer file-names [7d] are defined before work commences in order to ensure that all Pieces have unique filenames which cannot be confused with any other Piece.

Doubts and comments about the transcription can be expressed using a system of Notes [7a] which may be either intended to display on the final database or which may be for 'internal communication' to subsequent workers with the Piece.

Completed Work [7g], together with the loan media containing the census images, is normally returned to the County Co-Ordinator who will issue the work to another volunteer for Checking or Validation.
Specific arrangements and instructions will be provided by the County Co-ordinator.

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Feb2003