ENTranscribing and Indexing
Once you sign up for an account, a new Transcribe tab will appear above each page.
You can create or edit transcriptions by modifying the text entry field and saving. Each modification is stored as a separate version of the page, so that it should be easy to revert to older versions if necessary.
Registered users can also add notes to pages to comment on difficult words, suggest readings, or discuss the texts.
About these Records
These birth certificates are available to browse in the Digital Archives, but this indexing project will allow searching by name instead of looking through each county’s records by birth date. Your indexing and transcription contributions will help numerous researchers find the records they need.
These records are a standardized pre-printed form with entries usually handwritten by a clerk.
We have setup fields specifically for birth certificates, not every field will be used for every record. For example, though we've included up to three middle name fields, we have seen individuals with more! If you ever come across a record that doesn't line up with the fields, please add a Page Note.
File Number
The full file number used originally by the office is not present on the certificate, so you will only need to enter what you see, which is the sequential number as filed within each county each year. Sometimes is stamped and its red ink may not be as clear as other information on the page. Additional numbers right next to the file number can be ignored. If you can't read the file number, or can't figure out which number is the file number add a Page Note.
County
The county name is immediately below "Place of Birth," select it from the provided alphabetical list.
Child's Name
Many birth certificates have no child's name at all. It may also be on a separate supplement or amendment added later. Index each of these documents on their own as different pages. If there is no child's name, leave it blank.
Separate each part of the name in its own field. Use the order of the names to guide you in identifying first, middle, and last names (which usually match the father's last name to compare).
About the Birth
Enter the sex and date of birth with all parts of the date in number form. So for January enter "1" through "12" for December.
Father
Enter the father's full name into separate fields. Use the order of the names to guide you in identifying first, middle, and last name. Do not include periods with initials.
Mother
Enter the mother's full name into separate fields. Use the order of the names to guide you in identifying first, middle, and maiden name. Do not include periods with initials.
Amendments
If there is a stamp on the certificate, indicate "Yes." This will help us correctly link together all the documents for a single birth event. Supplemental reports are an amendment that looks like a slip of paper and should immediately follow a matching certificate from which you can copy the file number (supplemental registration numbers are different). Pre-printed amendment forms are easier to identify and usually include a stamp such as "2 of 2".
