Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Using GenScriber for Genealogy Research

Genealogy researchers constantly encounter old handwritten documents that we need to transcribe as a reference resource.  One of the best tools I've found for transcription is GenScriber.


genscriber_controls

 

The application was created by Les Hardy who updates it with tweaks and features from time-to-time.   It is available in both Windows and Linux versions.  The current Windows version is 2.2.3.

 

genscriber_worksheet_controls


The program is simple to use, just point it to the folder that holds the document images you want to transcribe, click on the file and go to work.  The top half of the screen shows the image and the lower half is your worksheet for transcription.
Built in tools include zooming in and out, contrast, sharpen, tint and the conversion to gray scale.

genscriber_worksheet_tools


To start transcribing, create a new document, set the number of columns (you can resize them by dragging the columns and start typing.

Les Hardy notes that "the latest version now allows unformatted text input which can be either rich text or plain text.  There is also a gedcom import/export."

Watch the following videos to help you get started using the excellent tools in GenScriber:

GenScriber: How to copy a single record from a web page

 

GenScriber: How to enable the special paste buttons

 

Using smartpaste in GenScriber

 

GenScriber: Gathering SSDI data (The easy way)

 

GenScriber: Import FreeBMD search results the easy way

 

GenScriber: Importing and merging FamilySearch.org xls files
[

 

Posted 9 Sep 2014 by Lee R. Drew on Lineagekeeper’s Genealogy Blog