Unlock your “superpower”: Transcribe 300 million historic documents—here’s how
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In a world dominated by digital text, one rare skill is becoming increasingly valuable. There’s an opportunity to help unlock a wealth of untold stories from the past.
Are you ready to help reveal hidden secrets?
Cursive writing, once a staple of American education, has become less common in the digital age.
Yet, the flowing loops and elegant script of cursive hold the key to unlocking stories from over two centuries of history.
Suzanne Isaacs, a community manager with the National Archives Catalog in Washington, D.C., emphasizes the importance of this skill.
“It's not just a matter of whether you learned cursive in school, it’s how much you use cursive today,” she told USA Today.
The National Archives' vast collection includes documents that span from the Revolutionary War pension records to the 1950 Census.
These handwritten records are not just pieces of paper; they are the narratives of soldiers, the tales of pioneers, and the chronicles of everyday Americans.
Each page transcribed is a piece of the puzzle that completes the grand picture of our nation's journey.
The National Archives has created a unique opportunity for volunteers to become citizen archivists.
With no formal application required, anyone with a knack for cursive can dive into history and contribute to this monumental task.
“We create missions where we ask volunteers to help us transcribe or tag records in our catalog,” Isaacs explained.
The process is simple: choose a record that hasn't been transcribed, read the instructions, and begin your journey into the past.
More than 5,000 citizen archivists have already registered, but the Archives could still use more help.
Whether you can spare half an hour a day or a week, your efforts will make a significant impact.
As you transcribe, you're not just deciphering words; you're breathing life into the voices that shaped our country.
Christine Ritter, a volunteer, shares her own experience, “I wake up in the morning and have my breakfast with my husband, then he goes off to go fishing and I come in my workroom, I have my computer and I put on my radio station with oldies and I just start transcribing.”
It's a peaceful, yet profoundly meaningful way to spend one's time.
You become a detective of history, piecing together stories that have waited years to be told.
The satisfaction of contributing to the preservation of history is immense.
By transcribing these documents, you're not only preserving history, you're also enabling future generations to connect with their heritage.
Families can discover artifacts linked to their ancestors, researchers can unearth new insights, and students can learn about the real-life experiences behind the dates and events in their textbooks.
The National Archives invites you to embrace this superpower and join a community dedicated to safeguarding our nation's legacy.
Your contribution will ensure that the stories of the past remain accessible for the storytellers of the future.
Remember, every word you transcribe is a step towards preserving the rich tapestry of our nation's history. Unlock your superpower today and become a hero of history!
Have you ever transcribed historical documents or do you have a passion for cursive writing? Perhaps you've uncovered fascinating details about your own family history through archival research. We'd love to hear your experiences and encourage you to share any tips for aspiring citizen archivists.
Comment below to join the conversation and let's work together to keep the art of cursive alive and the pages of history open for all to read.
Are you ready to help reveal hidden secrets?
Cursive writing, once a staple of American education, has become less common in the digital age.
Yet, the flowing loops and elegant script of cursive hold the key to unlocking stories from over two centuries of history.
Suzanne Isaacs, a community manager with the National Archives Catalog in Washington, D.C., emphasizes the importance of this skill.
“It's not just a matter of whether you learned cursive in school, it’s how much you use cursive today,” she told USA Today.
The available records cover a vast range of historical documents. Image source: Colin Fearing/Pexels.
The National Archives' vast collection includes documents that span from the Revolutionary War pension records to the 1950 Census.
These handwritten records are not just pieces of paper; they are the narratives of soldiers, the tales of pioneers, and the chronicles of everyday Americans.
Each page transcribed is a piece of the puzzle that completes the grand picture of our nation's journey.
The National Archives has created a unique opportunity for volunteers to become citizen archivists.
With no formal application required, anyone with a knack for cursive can dive into history and contribute to this monumental task.
“We create missions where we ask volunteers to help us transcribe or tag records in our catalog,” Isaacs explained.
The process is simple: choose a record that hasn't been transcribed, read the instructions, and begin your journey into the past.
More than 5,000 citizen archivists have already registered, but the Archives could still use more help.
Whether you can spare half an hour a day or a week, your efforts will make a significant impact.
As you transcribe, you're not just deciphering words; you're breathing life into the voices that shaped our country.
Christine Ritter, a volunteer, shares her own experience, “I wake up in the morning and have my breakfast with my husband, then he goes off to go fishing and I come in my workroom, I have my computer and I put on my radio station with oldies and I just start transcribing.”
It's a peaceful, yet profoundly meaningful way to spend one's time.
You become a detective of history, piecing together stories that have waited years to be told.
The satisfaction of contributing to the preservation of history is immense.
By transcribing these documents, you're not only preserving history, you're also enabling future generations to connect with their heritage.
More volunteers are needed without any formal application process. Image source: Aaron Burden/Unsplash.
Families can discover artifacts linked to their ancestors, researchers can unearth new insights, and students can learn about the real-life experiences behind the dates and events in their textbooks.
The National Archives invites you to embrace this superpower and join a community dedicated to safeguarding our nation's legacy.
Your contribution will ensure that the stories of the past remain accessible for the storytellers of the future.
Remember, every word you transcribe is a step towards preserving the rich tapestry of our nation's history. Unlock your superpower today and become a hero of history!
Comment below to join the conversation and let's work together to keep the art of cursive alive and the pages of history open for all to read.
