Community Transcription: Two Months On

Two short months ago we officially launched the Scripto tool on the PWD site. Our volunteers have been transcribing diligently, and the results are pouring in.

Since our launch in March, we have registered more than 170 new users. By utilizing various H-Net lists, we have been able to reach out to a wide audience of potential transcribers and users. We continue to add users each week, as we reach out to other communities—genealogists, for example. We currently have users who are students, teachers, hobbyists, historians, and self-described “transcription geeks.”

PWD editors have nominated some 140 documents for transcription. Those users have produced an impressive range of transcriptions, including 80 finished documents. In addition, we have monitored and responded to dozens of questions from transcribers, using both the “talk” feature and e-mail support. Each day the archive grows, as we add newly completed transcriptions and as editors nominate new ones.

As we continue forward with the project, users may still register for a transcription account.