When viewing the family letters, you see an image of the letter in a resolution size called Small Web View. This resolution is too small to be able to really read the letter. When you click on this image, a larger image will open in another window. Previously the resolution size used for this window was the Large Web View. This was still not satisfactory to be able to really read the letter. All of the large web views have been replaced with the original scans of the letters. Now you can actually read the letters on the web site. In addition if you click on this image, the image will increase to a hugh size so you can now really see the detail in the letter.
In the past if you wanted to help in transcribing the letters, you needed to contact the webmaster who would send you a CD that contained the original scans. Now you can actually transcribe from the web site. When you see a letter that you would like to transcribe that has no name in the 'transcribed by' field, enter the verbiage into a text document and save it. Then send the document as an attachment using your email program and enter this address into the email send to area: WebMaster@GleavesFamily.com. If it is easier for you to key the text directly into the email message area, that will also work.
Some helpful hints in transcribing a letter:
- Don't worry about the letter being perfect. If you cannot read a word, then leave it blank or use a ? there. The webmaster will review it and enter the word if it can be determined
- Very little modern punctuation is used in these letters. Use what you think necessary to convey the meaning. Quite often there are no periods at the end of sentences. To follow the letter writer's lead, just leave several spaces before beginning the next sentence.
- You may use the writer's spelling when transcribing a letter. This will give a better feel to the reader about the letter wirter.
- The software that loads the letters does not allow any formatting to speak of, i.e. no tabs, no indentions, etc. So keep it simple and start each new section at the left margin.
- Have FUN! and thanks for the help.
Use the Contact page to reach us if you have any comments or questions about this rich family treasure.