Transcription!: Methodology, Part 1
Shannon Bennett, Student These last two Methodology, Part 1 modules nicely wrapped up this course. They covered resources for research as well as explanations of record sets. While I was familiar with most of these I did like the variety presented and I picked up a few new ways to look at information. Then I found the section on transcriptions, which made my day. This process is one that needs to be ingrained in every student of family history. Creating a correct transcription of a document not only will help your research but the research of those who come after you as well. A lesson that is often learned the hard way by those starting out in the field. Many people feel that this is the easiest thing in the world to do. I am serious; all you are doing is copying words down right? Well, not exactly. Plus, depending on the document, transcriptions can be very difficult. Within the section on transcription there was a list of basic rules, shown below. These guidelines clearly define what is important to have in your transcription. It isn’t just copying down words, it is making an accurate and faithful copy of an original work. The transcriptionist must be true to the original plus know how to insert their comments correctly. That in and of itself is a bit of meticulousness and an art form, both of which come only with practice. When I first started out I was confident that I knew…