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JanetP

I came across a (4-yr old) query from someone transcribing the TVA collection (I’m sorry I can’t remember the source right now).  The Archive moderator had high praise for the excellent job the transcriber had done!  I so wanted to see what made an excellent transcription but the link led only to a blank page. Besides the guidelines the Archives has given, it would be such a great aid to have actual, well-done transcripts as reference for consistency, searchability, and conciseness.  Also when editing poorly done or incomplete transcripts.  Could you refer all of us transcribers to particular transcriptions that make NARA’s researchers happy?  I would love such a resource when feeling stuck or encountering something new in a document!

  • 0

    Dear JanetP,

    There are many excellent examples of transcriptions throughout the catalog.  We ask that you type what you see, including typos.  Layout is much less important.  The purpose of the transcription is to improve the searchability of the catalog.  We don't get feedback from researchers about the transcriptions as most are unaware that the transcription has contributed to their search.  If you would like more guidance please review our Resources and FAQ pages.  The Get Started Transcribing section in particular has instructions for common issues with transcribing.  Here is an example of a transcription that meets all of our requirements: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/278546481?objectPanel=transcription

    Thank you for all of your work as a Citizen Archivist!

    Sincerely,

    Community Manager, National Archives Catalog

  • 0 in reply to National Archives Catalog

    On the example you’ve given does it not matter that the transcriber omitted a handwritten note at the top of the page (which I would have included)?  Or that they used { } instead of [ ] to denote the signature?   I have printed out your guidelines and FAQs, and it’s helpful to keep them close by.  Being a visual learner, seeing it on the page is sometimes more helpful than remembering a rule.

    I’ve also noticed transcriptionists using guidelines from other institutions, but which don’t seem specified for NARA.  For instance: [underscore] the word [/underscore].  Can the interface at NARA read such non-standard designations?  i admittedly err on the side of judicious overkill, having worked in archives and libraries my entire life.  But is there a point where diversions from the script so to speak may make documents unsearchable?

  • 0 in reply to JanetP

    Yes, adding comments in brackets [ ] can be overkill and may not be helpful in any way.  You do not have to add these details for everything.  It does not create bold text, underlined text, etc. in a transcription, it just lets the reader know an important detail.  It just informs the reader of important formatting. 

    We suggest using restraint and only using it when it actually makes a difference.  For instance you could add one comment at the top of a form that has typed questions and hand written answers - [Typed form with hand written answers] You could do this rather than indicating every time it switches from typewritten to handwritten.

    Community Manager