About Census Transcripts

The difference between a name index and a transcript is that all the useful fields have been transferred to the database and are available to search, not just the names and ages. The Genealogist transcripts include all major fields including the occupation, so you can use this in your search term and not have to wait until you view the actual page image, as you do on some rival services.

Transcripts are more useful as finding aids than the simpler name indexes, as they give you more parameters to combine in your search. Like the name indexes they can be used just as well with CD or microfilm census images. The transcripts will all eventually be linked to the relevant census images for you to view online. Quite a lot already are, and to view them you simply click the page image link next to the search result and the image will open in a PDF viewer window in your web browser.

Census transcripts offer a useful advantage to users without Broadband who find the rival services based heavily on image downloads too slow to use. They minimise the number of pages you have to download and view to find the correct entry, but you should still check the original page image to confirm the accuracy of the transcript for yourself. If you don't have a broadband connection, searching the transcripts first, makes research faster and less frustrating. When you are fairly certain that you have found the correct person or family, you only need to download just the single page image or you note the reference and check it on CD or microfilm.

To provide the best service to TheGenealogist subscribers, the transcribed census information is first processed to provide surname indexes. Once these are in use, the work of preparing the transcripts can take place. More checks now have to be carried out on the data. TheGenealogist has set up a multi layered checking process utilising a combination of both humans and software which ensures that the results achieved are of a very high standard.

After the name indexes are released for use, TheGenealogist indexing team take the full data set and using more custom written software, process it look for anomalies in the other fields. This process examines place names, relationships and occupations. Again the software flags any anomalies, but this time the dubious entries are checked by the 4,000+ volunteer indexers, who have signed up on their UKindexer website.

Anyone who enjoys working with old handwriting can join in and to make the work easier, custom written online tools are used to assist them in the work.

This online software presents the entries for checking in one window and the original census page image in another below it. The whole page can be examined to get a feel for the enumerators handwriting and help files and dictionaries are also available online to assist with the checking. Volunteers receive a mix of flagged, unchecked entries, plus some previously corrected ones to double check. They are sent in manageable batches of 10 entries at a time. As the entries are checked and if necessary corrected, any errors that are spotted in adjacent areas can be reported too. These will then be sent to another volunteer for inspection, ensuring that all possible problem entries are inspected by more than one person.

The UKindexer volunteers are supported up by the trained team at S&N's headquarters, who also adjudicate on transcription variations. Transcription volunteers are rewarded for their work with points which are exchangeable for goods or services from S&N.

Follow the other census links to find out more: