FreeCen Project for Lacashire

FreeCen is part of the FreeUKGEN project, which includes FreeBMD and FreeReg, whose aim is to make all family history information freely available in on-line searchable databases The database for FreeCen is compiled from transcriptions of the census returns for ALL the UK from 1841-1891 from fiche and CD kindly loaned by the Church of Latter Day Saints.

At the moment Lancashire 1861 is currently being transcribed from CD. Some parts of Lancashire are also being transcribed for the 1891 Census from microfiche for which you would need access to a microfiche reader.

We have people from all over the world currently helping as transcribers and checkers for all areas, without whose valuable contributions the project would not be possible but we are still in need of more volunteers.

So if anyone has a computer and a few spare hours a day or week and would like to help this very worthwhile project we would love to welcome you.

The software is freely supplied by FreeCen. It's very easy to use but help is always on hand from the organisers and co-ordinators. ( A Spreadsheet application is needed for transcription such as Excel, Work or Lotus etc..)

Transcribing is not everyone's cup of tea so some volunteers have become checkers instead. This involves checking the transcribers entries and sorting out any discrepancies. Once this process is done it is then passed to a validator who finalises any unresolved queries and then prepares if for upload to the FreeCen site.

Every effort is taken at all stages to ensure that the information entered is as accurate as possible, the rule is to transcribe 'as is' no matter how the entry is written with few exceptions.

Certain areas have already been fully transcribed and uploaded to the site and there are currently about 5.5 million records now available, details of which can be viewed at:- http://freecen.rootsweb.com /statistics.html

If you are interested here is a list of contacts of the coordinators for the Lancashire area.

LIVERPOOL	2650	2696	Anita Weldon
WEST DERBY	2697	2738	Jenny Anderton
PRESCOT	2739	2755	Nick Earley
ORMSKIRK	2756	2766	Jenny Anderton
WIGAN	2767	2786	Andrea Pollock
WARRINGTON	2787	2798	Anita Weldon
LEIGH	2799	2806	Anita Weldon
BOLTON	2807	2836	Jenny Anderton
BURY	2837	2858	Jenny Anderton
BARTON-UPON-IRWELL	2859	2866	Jenny Anderton
CHORLTON	2867	2901	Irene Marlborough
SALFORD	2902	2926	Jenny Anderton
MANCHESTER	2927	2976	Irene Marlborough
ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE	2977	3006	Nick Jay
OLDHAM	3007	3031	Jenny Anderton
ROCHDALE	3032	3051	Jenny Anderton
HASLINGDEN	3052	3064	Jenny George
BURNLEY	3065	3082	Jenny Anderton
CLITHEROE	3083	3088	Jenny Anderton
BLACKBURN	3089	3113	Jenny Anderton
CHORLEY	3114	3123	Jenny Anderton
PRESTON	3124	3144	Jenny Anderton
FYLDE	3145	3150	Jenny Anderton
GARSTANG	3151	3152	Jenny Anderton
LANCASTER	3153	3164	Jenny Anderton
ULVERSTON	3165	3173	Anne Long

If you have ancestors from other parts of the country and would prefer to help transcribe or check you can see which area's are available from this link:- http://freecen.rootsweb.com /project.htm

We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

ANITA