Volunteer Data Tasks for Public Archives
The National Archives Citizen Archivist program offers an exciting opportunity for individuals to contribute to the preservation and accessibility of historical records. By transcribing documents, tagging records, and providing comments, you can help make these valuable resources more discoverable and usable for researchers, students, and the general public.
To get started, follow these simple steps:
1. Visit the National Archives Citizen Archivist Portal: Navigate to the National Archives website and find the Citizen Archivist section.
2. Create or Log In to Your Account: If you don't already have an account, create one using Login.gov for secure account management. International users can also participate, and backup codes may be required for authentication.
3. Browse Transcription Missions: Once logged in, browse the available transcription missions, which are collections of historical records in need of transcription.
4. Choose a Record and Start Transcribing: Select a record or document you are interested in, and use the built-in transcription tool on the National Archives platform to transcribe the text as accurately as possible.
5. Submit Your Transcription: After completing the transcription, submit it through the platform. Your work will then be reviewed by the National Archives team.
For the best experience, use Safari, Chrome, or Microsoft Edge browsers, and log out of your account each day for account security and compatibility with updates.
There are numerous missions available, including the 1950 Census Transcription Projects, where help is needed to transcribe the initial name index for the 1950 Census. Other missions include the Chinese Heritage mission, inviting users to transcribe and tag records related to the Chinese Exclusion Era, and the Featured Court Case mission, which requires transcribing papers filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in the civil proceedings of Democratic National Committee, et al. v. the Republican National Committee, et al.
Specific areas have been identified where expert transcribers are needed, such as for the transcription of records with tricky elements or unidentified Aerial Phenomena Records (UAP) that require transcribing case files on sightings of UFOs from Project Blue Book.
For any questions, users can email [email protected]. To start, users need to register and learn how to do so through the Resources page. It is also recommended to log in and log out of your Catalog accounts each day for proper functioning.
Join the National Archives Citizen Archivist program today and become a part of the effort to preserve and share our nation's history.
By delving into the realms of home-and-garden, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and online-learning, you can find fascinating opportunities to enhance your skills and contribute to the National Archives Citizen Archivist program. While browsing transcription missions, don't miss out on the chance to lend your expertise to unique historical records, including UFO sightings during the Project Blue Book era or documents related to the Chinese Exclusion Era, which are often in need of expert transcribers.
