x
Toggle Content Register or Login  -  March 19, 2024, 11:48 am
Toggle Content User Info

Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: LucilleDZ
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 2016

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 87
Total: 87
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: My Account
03: Community Forums
04: Community Forums
05: My Account
06: My Account
07: Community Forums
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: My Account
11: Community Forums
12: Community Forums
13: Photo Gallery
14: Community Forums
15: Community Forums
16: My Account
17: My Account
18: Community Forums
19: Community Forums
20: Community Forums
21: Community Forums
22: Community Forums
23: Community Forums
24: Community Forums
25: Community Forums
26: Community Forums
27: Photo Gallery
28: Community Forums
29: Community Forums
30: Community Forums
31: Community Forums
32: Community Forums
33: Community Forums
34: Community Forums
35: My Account
36: Community Forums
37: My Account
38: Community Forums
39: Home
40: Community Forums
41: Community Forums
42: Community Forums
43: Community Forums
44: My Account
45: Community Forums
46: Community Forums
47: My Account
48: Community Forums
49: Community Forums
50: Community Forums
51: Community Forums
52: My Account
53: Community Forums
54: My Account
55: Community Forums
56: My Account
57: Community Forums
58: Community Forums
59: Statistics
60: My Account
61: My Account
62: Photo Gallery
63: News
64: My Account
65: Community Forums
66: Community Forums
67: Community Forums
68: Community Forums
69: My Account
70: Community Forums
71: Community Forums
72: Community Forums
73: Community Forums
74: My Account
75: Community Forums
76: My Account
77: Community Forums
78: Community Forums
79: Contact Us
80: Community Forums
81: My Account
82: Community Forums
83: My Account
84: Community Forums
85: Community Forums
86: Community Forums
87: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
Toggle Content Main Menu
Toggle Content Last Posts
Last 10 Forum Messages

bocca
Last post by tennino in General Discussion Groups on Jan 16, 2021 at 16:56:41

Towns in Frosinone that were part of former Vatican States a
Last post by Italysearcher in Central Italy on Feb 19, 2019 at 09:15:58

Dual Citizenship
Last post by Curci-Ghio in General Discussion Groups on Nov 18, 2018 at 15:30:54

Please Help Translate Letter
Last post by nuccia in Translations on Oct 20, 2018 at 06:18:43

Family in Cittanova
Last post by russojoseph1 in Translations on Oct 14, 2018 at 12:28:20

DNA Testing
Last post by nuccia in General Discussion Groups on Sep 29, 2018 at 10:39:30

Trento -Atto di Nascita - Frazione di Poia, Comune di Comano
Last post by exevans in Northern Italy on Mar 28, 2018 at 00:45:37

Translating written postcard
Last post by mekanic in Translations on Jan 18, 2018 at 13:58:50

Translating written postcard
Last post by mekanic in Translations on Jan 18, 2018 at 13:53:38

State of the Family Record & Other State Records
Last post by debbiemfit in Northern Italy on Jan 02, 2018 at 23:14:28

Toggle Content Help Support this Site
Please support GentediMareGenealogy
Help us by supporting the future development of this site, or simply to say thank you.
Toggle Content EStore
Community Forums › General › General Discussion Groups › just curious (FHC rant)

     Forum FAQ   Search   Log in to check your private messages   Login  
just curious (FHC rant)
Want to share something new or just have fun? You can do that here.
Go to page 1, 2  Next

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Forum Index General Discussion Groups Printer Friendly Page

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
dvaccaro
Mem
Mem


Joined: Mar 19, 2008
Posts: 28
Location: Minneapolis, MN

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:53 am    Post subject: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

my local Family History Center does not have a microfilm scanner and it drives me crazy. i've got a few hundred dollars worth of films on permanent loan there, and all i can ever do is print a crappy, high-contrast xerox-like copy of these beautiful, nuanced historical records. to make matters worse, i am a computer artist by trade and it pains me to think about what i could do with these documents if i could simply get a scan from the film directly onto my laptop. i've got a high-end computer, professional software, cords, flash drives and everything, and i've got to sit here and look at really really bad printouts from an archaic machine that are sometimes about 25% as readable as the original film image.

so i am wondering, is this common? does your FHC have a microfilm scanner? do most? more and more, i am hearing people talk about scanning files at their FHC. does everyone but me have FHCs with nice equipment?!

i'm not asking for much, just a damn USB port! save a tree! and my burning eyes!

rant over.
Back to top
View user's profile
Robert
Explorer
Explorer


Joined: Jul 12, 2008
Posts: 55
Location: London, UK

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:13 am    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

I have not been to the one in South Kensington since moving back to the UK, but don't recall them having a scanner. I used to request copies of documents, pay 25p for them and then collect them a few days later - I don't know how the copies were made but the quality was sufficient for my needs.

I do know that they are in the process of digitalising all of their records (at least last I heard they were) and so guess they are not going to invest in equipment that will soon be redundant for them (at all FHC's at any rate, I guess they will always need them in the Vault).

_________________
Researching: Amato, Vergottini, Zazzaretta
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
dvaccaro
Mem
Mem


Joined: Mar 19, 2008
Posts: 28
Location: Minneapolis, MN

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:42 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

Robert wrote:
I do know that they are in the process of digitalising all of their records (at least last I heard they were) and so guess they are not going to invest in equipment that will soon be redundant for them (at all FHC's at any rate, I guess they will always need them in the Vault).

very good point. however, from what i've heard, digitizing all the records will take about 10 years using the latest and fastest technology. with my luck, i am sure the films for my little sicilian town will be online around 2019.

what could be a solution in the meantime is if they would allow me to "borrow" a few films at a time and scan records on machines at the public library...
Back to top
View user's profile
nuccia
Admin
Admin


Joined: Jul 09, 2007
Posts: 4375
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:03 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

Unfortunately, people can not "borrow" films. They have to stay in the FHC. Sad
When Jim does Carini scans for his site, he photocopies EVERY image in the highest resolution possible, then takes them home and scans and crops them before he uploads them to his site. You should hear how much money his has spent since 2003! My FHC does have a scanner and the quality of prints I have been getting lately are horrible! I actually thought about doing it the way Jim does it but I just don't have the money to invest.

Hopefully the films will all be online before 10 years. I know they are very busy indexing them as we speak and are always looking for volunteers.

_________________
nuccia
Italian Surname Database

Calabria Exchange
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
Emmy
V.I.P.
V.I.P.


Joined: Jul 11, 2007
Posts: 1000
Location: Scotland

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:49 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

Nuccia This may sound a silly question but when you say James 'photocopies'
every image do you mean he takes a picture with a digital camera or he uses a photocopier? Confused

At my FHC the only way I can get a copy of any documents from the films is by using my digital camera there are no scanners or photocopiers available and the 'machines' used to view the films are very old too The only time I can get a print out is if it 'local' information for the area where I live which they have on cd's.

The annoying thing is sometimes the pictures dont come out clear and i've to do it all over again Crying or Very sad
Emmy

_________________
Lady Emmy
Back to top
View user's profile
dvaccaro
Mem
Mem


Joined: Mar 19, 2008
Posts: 28
Location: Minneapolis, MN

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:52 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

Emmy wrote:
Nuccia This may sound a silly question but when you say James 'photocopiAt my FHC the only way I can get a copy of any documents from the films is by using my digital camera there are no scanners or photocopiers available and the 'machines' used to view the films are very old too The only time I can get a print out is if it 'local' information for the area where I live which they have on cd's.

wow. emmy, you make me feel lucky my FHC has a photocopier!

i guess i'll quit whining!
Back to top
View user's profile
nuccia
Admin
Admin


Joined: Jul 09, 2007
Posts: 4375
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:53 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

James uses a photocopier...I think . He definitely doesn't take pictures. I know how you feel though. I used to take them with my cell and man was it ever a pain.

_________________
nuccia
Italian Surname Database

Calabria Exchange
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
dvaccaro
Mem
Mem


Joined: Mar 19, 2008
Posts: 28
Location: Minneapolis, MN

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:55 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

nuccia wrote:
Hopefully the films will all be online before 10 years. I know they are very busy indexing them as we speak and are always looking for volunteers.

from mormontimes.com (july 15 2008)...

Mormon Times wrote:

The Family History Department faced a herculean task five years ago. Heath Nielson provided the answer.

The challenge was digitizing the genealogical records kept in the Granite Mountain Records Vault, a process that would have taken more than a century. But Nielson, a FamilySearch software engineer, helped develop a technology that makes it possible to complete the project in about a decade.

"Under the old technology, we did not expect to see it in our lifetime," said Paul Nauta, manager of public affairs for FamilySearch. "The time required to digitize the 2.4 million records that we have rights to digitize is (now) eight to 10 years."
Back to top
View user's profile
nuccia
Admin
Admin


Joined: Jul 09, 2007
Posts: 4375
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:07 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

dvaccaro wrote:
nuccia wrote:
Hopefully the films will all be online before 10 years. I know they are very busy indexing them as we speak and are always looking for volunteers.

from mormontimes.com (july 15 2008)...

Mormon Times wrote:

The Family History Department faced a herculean task five years ago. Heath Nielson provided the answer.

The challenge was digitizing the genealogical records kept in the Granite Mountain Records Vault, a process that would have taken more than a century. But Nielson, a FamilySearch software engineer, helped develop a technology that makes it possible to complete the project in about a decade.

"Under the old technology, we did not expect to see it in our lifetime," said Paul Nauta, manager of public affairs for FamilySearch. "The time required to digitize the 2.4 million records that we have rights to digitize is (now) eight to 10 years."

Thanks..good to know! Smile

_________________
nuccia
Italian Surname Database

Calabria Exchange
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
JamesBianco
Researcher
Researcher


Joined: Jul 10, 2007
Posts: 645
Location: Westfield, MA.

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:16 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

Actually I used to photocopy each page at the center and then hand scan them in one by one (there are tens of thousands of these on my website so you can imagine how long that took). Now that the scanner is fixed at my center I scan them directly to my passport drive. It is so much easier (and at .10 cents a photocopy a heck of a lot cheaper).

_________________

Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website
dvaccaro
Mem
Mem


Joined: Mar 19, 2008
Posts: 28
Location: Minneapolis, MN

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:39 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

JamesBianco wrote:
Actually I used to photocopy each page at the center and then hand scan them in one by one (there are tens of thousands of these on my website so you can imagine how long that took). Now that the scanner is fixed at my center I scan them directly to my passport drive. It is so much easier (and at .10 cents a photocopy a heck of a lot cheaper).


THAT'S what i'm talkin' about.
Back to top
View user's profile
Cathy
V.I.P.
V.I.P.


Joined: Jul 10, 2007
Posts: 2681

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:45 pm    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

I paid .30 cents a photocopy until I finally got smart and burned them on CD's. I had a passport drive but my daughter "borrowed" it and I have not seen it since. Crying or Very sad
The first FHC I went to had no equipment at all - no printers, scanners - not even a computer. Shocked Only 2 microfilm readers! I found a wonderful center with the equipment I needed. It is much further from my house but well worth the extra time and gas. And the hours were much better too.

_________________
Cathy
My Websites
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Eleven
Explorer
Explorer


Joined: Jul 11, 2007
Posts: 959
Location: New York

PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:16 am    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

I am a tad confused as to how you guys are copying these films...scanner..photocopy etc.

When I used to go there (abt 15 years ago) They had a reader that printed. People were supposed to take their film out of the regular reader that they were using and bring it to this other reader/printer, find their spot and print. I cant recall if we paid for the paper copy. I do know, on the machine they had to view what they had on cd..gave you a printout (on that paper with the holes on the sides). Those, were 5 cents a copy. I wanna say, I didnt pay for the document printouts..because I have hundreds of them..and even took some of people who I wasnt sure belonged to me.

These copies, are dark..the backgrounds on all of them are a dark gray. Had I been smart, I would have brought my own acid free paper...but, I didnt..I bought the archival quality plastic page covers and have them all in books, using those.

As I mentioned before, when I went, their readers didnt have the proper lenses to see the tiny microfilm. They allowed me to use that reader/printer, but, I had to get off of it 15 minutes before closing. This probably didnt make the other people there, very happy, because now..they couldnt stop..carry their film over and print..when they found something. They had to make a note of it..and then refind it at the end of the evening. I was so lucky that they never got the proper lenses for the two years that I went. They got them just when I finished.

I am indexing for them. I got so much from those people..that I thought I would give them a hand...since I have the time. Actually, I am enjoying it. Anybody can do this. Their software makes it go very fast. On their mid 1800s censuses, very little info gets copied. Name, age, sex, color, and birthplace. With their software..it takes me 15 minutes or less to do the entire page of 40 names. The newer censuses take a little longer, since you are adding more info.

Nobody from there bothers you..they dont email or contact you..you can do it whenever you want, etc...no obligation. If everyone who used the genealogy forums (this one and others) only did one page a day..imagine how fast they could get more online.

On their list of upcoming things to index is the 1905 NY state census. I have never seen that..and cant wait to get my hands on it..lol
Back to top
View user's profile
nuccia
Admin
Admin


Joined: Jul 09, 2007
Posts: 4375
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:25 am    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

Eleven..

This is exactly what the scanner/photocopier is a my FHC. First I have to reserve a reader (16 mm) which there are only two of, then once I find what I want, I have to carry the film over to the reader/printer. I have been lucky. I usually go when there are not a lot of people and so they let me copy the whole film on the reader/printer and I can stay on it for as long as I like. The director likes me, thank God.

As for the volunteer project. I told you it was easy. I started doing it when they first introduced it but I had trouble sending the info to them. They only give you so much to work on the project and then they take it back. After that, my PC crashed and of course other things came up. But I think I will start helping out again this fall since I will be home for a while. Thanks for reminding me.

Hugs

_________________
nuccia
Italian Surname Database

Calabria Exchange
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
JamesBianco
Researcher
Researcher


Joined: Jul 10, 2007
Posts: 645
Location: Westfield, MA.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:34 am    Post subject: Re: just curious (FHC rant) Reply with quote

I have always had the advantage of being a librarian with keys (Since I was 18 years old) , almost all of my photocopying was done while the center was closed.

an example of a page I photocopied years ago and scanned in at home:

Photocopy Scan

a recent example of a direct microfilm scan:

Direct Scan

As you can see the direct scan is much clearer, if you get the settings right.

Very Happy

_________________

Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website
  Page 1 of 2All times are GMT - 4 Hours

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Forum Index General Discussion Groups Printer Friendly Page

  
 
Jump to:  



You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Hosted By Site5.com
The logos and trademarks used on this site are the property of Gente di Mare Genealogy.
We are not responsible for comments posted by our users, as they are the opinions of the poster.
Interactive software released under GNU GPL, Code Credits, Privacy Policy
TCD_ItalianGene © Gente di Mare Genealogy