“We organize tasks for volunteers to assist us in transcribing or tagging records in our catalog,” Issacs explained. Volunteering is simple – just sign up online and get started. “There’s no formal application process,” she clarified. “Simply choose a record that needs to be transcribed, follow the instructions, and dedicate as little as half an hour a day or week to the task.”
The ability to read cursive writing is invaluable, as many of the documents are written in this style. “It’s not only about having learned cursive in school; it’s also about how frequently you use it now,” she added.
For instance, an application for a Revolutionary War Pension dated April 29, 1852, is among the materials that Citizen Archivists at the National Archives assist in transcribing. The skill of deciphering cursive handwriting comes in handy.
The use of cursive has declined over the years, with Americans’ proficiency in this form of writing gradually diminishing. In the past, students were taught meticulous cursive handwriting, which was graded for its neatness. However, with the advent of typewriters in the business world in the 1890s and the subsequent rise of computers in the 1980s, the emphasis on handwriting began to fade.
Despite the shift towards digital communication mediums such as email and texting, at least 14 states now require cursive handwriting to be taught in schools, with California slated to introduce it in 2023. Nevertheless, many individuals, including students, rarely utilize cursive in their day-to-day lives.
Learning to read and write in cursive may pose a challenge, but it provides access to a plethora of historical documents. California’s 2023 law mandating the teaching of cursive or joined italics in grades one through six aims to ensure that students can interpret primary historical sources.
Cantrell’s students at Texas A&M University Texarkana engage in deciphering centuries-old documents, including the transcription work at the National Archives. Although there is a learning curve, her students remain dedicated to this valuable skill.
“It is a fulfilling experience for volunteers to help transcribe historical documents. The intricate cursive handwriting found in 18th and 19th-century documents poses a unique challenge, different from what children are taught in schools today. Nancy Sullivan from the National Archives emphasized that reading cursive is just the initial step in understanding these older texts. Some of the most elegant cursive can be seen in letters exchanged between Abigail Adams and President John Adams, resembling an art form due to its uniformity.
While artificial intelligence is making strides in reading cursive, human assistance is still necessary for accurate transcription. The National Archives collaborates with FamilySearch, a genealogical non-profit, in using AI programs to decipher handwritten documents. However, volunteers are crucial in reviewing and correcting any errors in the extracted text before it is considered a finalized transcription.
Volunteers like Christine Ritter and Tiffany Meeks find joy in deciphering historical manuscripts, despite the challenges posed by faded ink, poor penmanship, and unfamiliar terms. Ritter, for instance, initially struggled with reading cursive but improved over time with practice. The satisfaction of solving these historical puzzles and connecting with the past motivates volunteers to continue their efforts.
The National Archives stresses that prior knowledge of cursive is not a requirement for volunteers, as learning can occur during the transcription process. In cases where cursive is too challenging, volunteers can assist by adding tags to already transcribed records to enhance searchability. As volunteers persevere through deciphering Revolutionary War pension files or other historical documents, they not only enhance their cursive reading skills but also contribute to preserving and sharing valuable historical information.”
She once prided herself on her impeccable penmanship, but today she admits that her handwriting is “atrocious.” Nevertheless, she possesses the ability to read cursive effortlessly and has transformed this skill into a delightful pastime. “I wake up in the morning, have breakfast with my husband, then he heads out for a day of fishing while I retreat to my workspace. I switch on my computer, tune in to an oldies radio station, and immerse myself in transcribing,” she shared. “It’s a passion I hold dear.” This article was originally published in USA TODAY: The National Archives is seeking Citizen Archivists proficient in cursive reading.
