Transcribing a 222-Page Handwritten Legacy
In genealogy, we often examine old documents in our ancestors’ handwriting. Sometimes, these documents offer valuable information and clues about our their lives.
Recently, I started a big job: transcribing a 222-page handwritten document by my great-grandfather from the late 1960s. I found the papers in an old box marked “SAVE” and then in different handwriting, “Cath.”
His pile of legal pads was a dream find that offered tremendous insight into his life, thoughts, and experiences.
It also drove me crazy trying to decipher his chicken scratch. Peeking ahead in his text felt risky—I feared I’d give up if I knew the ending. Google became my magic eight ball. I typed what I thought the word was, hoping for a friendly, “Did you mean?”
Fortunately, with the help of cutting-edge tools, the challenge became not only manageable but also more engaging.
The Initial Hurdle: Tackling My Ancestors’ Handwriting
When I began working on this piece, I quickly realized the enormity of the task. My great-grandfather’s handwriting presented considerable challenges. I couldn’t run it through OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software designed for printed text. It took me months to complete the first 70 pages, and I had to put the piece down for long stretches. Sometimes, I rationalized that I could stop and preserve the pages instead. Who would know if I put them away, stored for future descendants to tackle?
I needed help or a specialized tool to handle this ancestor’s handwriting.
That’s when I discovered Transkribus. An online interface I’d learned about while exploring the latest trends in genealogy. Transkribus is an AI-driven platform designed to facilitate the transcription of historical documents, including those in our ancestors’ handwriting. I decided to give it a try.
Training My Own AI Model: Reducing Error Rates
At first, the platform was impressive but imperfect. The initial results showed an error rate of 140-150 mistakes per page, a daunting figure.
However, the more I worked with it, the more I could fine-tune the system. The program allows users to train a specific recognition model for ancestors’ handwriting.
AI learns from your best-transcribed sections. It can adapt to the nuances of our ancestors’ handwriting. The trick is to write what you see verbatim. Any corrections you make will cause the system to process what it interprets incorrectly. My great-grandfather, for example, did not consistently use punctuation or capitalization. I had to refrain from typing what he “meant” and type what he wrote.
I trained my model four times by submitting ten pages of confident transcription. Each round of training reduced the error rate. By the fourth training, there were fewer than 40 mistakes per page. This improvement was staggering. It sped up my work and allowed me to focus on the document’s content instead of transcription technicalities.
The improved accuracy made the document feel alive—more like a story being told by my great-grandfather than a puzzle. I also challenged myself to see how far I could get on the free plan without upgrading. I work best under pressure, even when self-inflicted.
The Layout: Keeping My Place
One of the standout features of Transkribus is its user-friendly layout. The software displays the handwritten document on the left side of the screen and the transcription window on the right. This layout was crucial because it helped me maintain my place while working. Each line of text in the document is highlighted as you transcribe it, ensuring you don’t lose track of where you are in the process.
Before using Transkribus, I lost my place in the document—every time I looked at my screen. Flipping between the original text and my computer also led to errors, and reorienting myself was time-consuming. Plus, looking at the document on an easel to the left of my laptop hurt my neck.
I was tethered to a workstation with the table easel, extra task lighting, and a magnifying glass. With Transkribus, the highlighted line kept me grounded. I could zoom in and out and move fluidly through each page. This feature alone significantly improved the quality and speed of my work. I would recommend it to anyone tackling a large transcription job, even if they decide not to use tailor-made AI.
Why is Transkribus right for ancestors’ handwriting?
While the AI component was a game-changer, other aspects of the platform made it invaluable. First and foremost, its accessibility. Transkribus is cloud-based, meaning I can access my work from different devices without hassle. Working from wherever I am—at home or in a coffee shop—was a huge bonus. It also meant that the original was not at risk of a coffee spill on my desk.
Additionally, the company encourages collaboration. Although I didn’t use this feature, it’s worth noting for those who want others to contribute.
Finally, the platform supports various document formats, from simple images to complex multi-page PDFs. I uploaded iPhone pictures of my great-grandfather’s manuscript. Preserving the pages in their original format.
The Learning Curve: Personal Growth in the Process
Transkribus wasn’t just a tool to help me transcribe the document—it was an incredible learning experience. Training the model required patience and attention to detail. I began to recognize patterns in his text and how he formed certain letters.
Beyond the technical aspects, this project deepened my resolve to transcribe more of my ancestors’ handwriting. I developed a keener eye for the details that make each document unique. Whether deciphering a faded word or understanding the context behind an abbreviation, the process honed my skills.
I made his words accessible to the whole extended family. I may be the only one obsessed enough to tackle the scope of this endeavor, but now it will be appreciated by all of us. The work we do as family historians is more than archiving and researching. We can interpret and highlight the meaningful threads we discover in our vast collection of ancestors. Reaching into the past to bring a document, photo, or artifact into an accessible format makes them relevant and inspiring today.
Some impressive institutions use Transkribus for far more historically valuable work, but I never felt unsupported or foolish for using it myself. It’s nifty to discuss training an AI model in conversation.
Lessons Learned: The Importance of Perseverance
Transcribing a handwritten document is not for the faint of heart. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of pages. However, with the right tools, the project became manageable and rewarding. It is exciting that genealogical research is making new strides with artificial intelligence.
By the time I finished, I had a digital version of my great-grandfather’s manuscript and a deeper connection to him. I’m glad I never skimmed ahead to find where he would take me on these pages. I might have given up had I known it was unfinished or incomplete.
Unfortunately, his words faded in the mid-1920s. Though he left me wanting more, the vivid recollections he did write reveal details of his childhood, his relationship with his brother, family hardships, and grief. The document he wrote in the 1960s is more than just a historical artifact—it’s a part of my family’s story. Now, thanks to modern technology, it’s accessible and enhanced with supporting research.
Final Thoughts: A Valuable Tool for Genealogists and Access to Ancestors’ Handwriting
For anyone working on similar projects, I recommend trying Transkribus. Whether you’re working through letters, diaries, or legal documents, it offers tools to simplify the process. Its user-friendly layout helps reduce errors and keeps you organized—valuable assets.
My family archive, a stuffed closet in my office, contains many handwritten items I feel ready to tackle. Transkribus also offers public models that could work for you without training. I enjoy being part of positive crowdsourcing!
Ultimately, this project was more than just transcription—it was about connecting with my family’s history. The words my great-grandfather wrote decades ago now exist in digital form, ready to be shared with family. Thanks to Transkribus, what once seemed impossible has become one of my most rewarding experiences in genealogy.
You can read more about the project in these earlier posts, “Genealogy Research: Like A Dog With A Bone” & The Forgotten Manuscript: Bringing Family Stories to Life