Explanation of Current DGS Genealogical Projects
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Which Ones Excite You?In 2001 the DGS embarked on a brand new initiative to make availablea multitude of Delaware's original records that are now difficult to use. DGS, an "Information Business"People join the Delaware Genealogical Society for many reasons, but the primary one is to learn more about their own family history. It is our obligation as a society to help members in this pursuit. So how do we help you?Who are "We" and Who are "You"?Who are "we" anyway? DGS is a nationwide collection of over 740 people who are linked primarily by an interest in Delaware genealogy. Most all of us have Delaware roots, but a few local members are simply interested in advancing genealogy even though they have no Delaware roots. We all pay the same annual dues and all expect the experience to be a rewarding one; but there is no "you," because "you" and "we" are one.DGS Goes GlobalWith the advent of the electronic age, "local" genealogical societies do not have to be local any longer. Actually we were never very local. Over 80% of our membership does not live in Delaware, but spans the continent from Alaska to Florida and New England to California. Now that about half of our members have E-mail and access to the Web, we can communicate instantly with members no matter where they live: England, Texas, wherever. No longer do those who live outside New Castle County have to feel out of touch. Anyone can volunteer to work on a Delaware genealogical project even though they live far away from Delaware.Potential DGS Volunteer ProjectsIn 2001 the DGS Board of Governors, with input from the Delaware Public Archives (DPA), the Delaware Historical Society, and local professional genealogists, identified and prioritized over a dozen potential DGS projects. Each project will enhance the use of Delaware genealogical records. Members of the DGS then reviewed the options and submitted their votes on what they considered the most valuable projects.When will the projects begin? The success of these projects depends entirely on volunteers. There are no paid staff positions in the DGS or funds to hire part-time transcribers. Each of the projects listed below would proceed through several phases, such as,
Much of the work involves reading handwriting from old records and some of the tasks also include abstracting key items of genealogical interest f rom these original records. Reading old handwriting takes some getting used to but most can do it with a little practice. It often requires interpreting how the same letter is formed at other places in the same document. It is better to question a transcription, then to guess. In any case, all transcriptions will be proofread at least twice to ensure accuracy. Of course, reading old newspapers does not require deciphering old handwriting. All work will need to be put into a computer file. If you are particularly interested in transcribing and don't have a computer, perhaps you can enlist a friend to enter it into a computer. In most all cases, we can supply microfilms and/or paper copies of the original records. Besides transcribers and proofreaders, we need volunteers to design and to lead each project and volunteers to make and distribute copies of the original records and volunteers to organize the electronic information and get it ready to "publish". |