FreeCEN Validation

What's involved:

Before it is issued for Validation a FreeCEN data file has already been considered twice in great detail - by the Transcriber and then the Checker.
It is the Validator's task to attempt to resolve outstanding queries and comments where-ever possible.

The Validation programme does not examine every record: it does an electronic scan, looking for problems, and pauses at any record where there is

any query flag still showing

where the transcriber wrote a "Note"

where the Checker wrote a note

where the birthplace and county are not found on its version of GENIE Place Locator (a Validator can (in effect) add placenames to the VALDREV "birthplace" lists).

The validator attempts to clear all issues: for example: if a surname is really unreadable then he will do nothing, if (on the other hand) he is satisfied that he can recognise a surname in the scribble then he may alter it.

The validator is expected to look at Transcriber and Checker notes and comments [7a].
If the matter has been resolved (and he agrees with the solution) then he can either remove the transcriber note, or perhaps modify it so that (on the database) it will better describe our concern with the transcription.
These final, short, Notes will appear on the database displays.

Much validation time is taken up with "correcting" birthplaces: the GENIE list is not comprehensive and the enumerator did not always know (or put) the correct county.
The validator can "suggest" an "alternative Birthplace" and both the original transcription _and_ the "alternative" will be available for database searches.

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VALCENS VALCENS is an obsolete programme which should not be Downloaded or Installed except to allow completion of work currently in progress. Work conducted using VALCENS, while accurate in its own way, must be modified using the VALCONV Utility to produce a single file which is compliant with the Post-Validation and Upload requirements. All "new work" should be carried out using VALDREV

VALDREV VALDREV is a Windows-based routine having considerable advantages over the earlier VALCENS system. Work started using VALCENS cannot be transferred to the VALDREV routine unless started again from the beginning! While the operation of the routine is automatic, there is provision for the Validator to examine or to amend any record in the file.

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Doubts and comments about any record can be expressed using a system of Notes for 'internal communication' to subsequent workers with the Piece.

A person should never perform Validation tasks on work which they previously Checked.

Completed Work [7g], together with the loan media containing the census images, may be returned to the County Co-Ordinator for Post-Validation [6b], although it is accepted that Validation and Post-Validation may be performed by the same person.

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Feb2003