AutomatedGenealogy.com

lpatten · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:02 pm Post subject: Rights to the transcribed data.

After going through the whole process with the 1901 census I would like to explicitly state that the data that is entered on the AutomatedGenealogy.com site is owned by the site. The commitment that we make to our users is to ensure that the data will be available at no cost on the internet for private family research purposes. We are currently finalizing an agreement with Library and Archives Canada whereby they will keep a backup copy that they can use to provide no cost access in the event that I am unable to maintain the site for some reason (yes, I will be careful about crossing the street if I see a LAC truck speeding my way Shocked

). LAC would like me to hold off on starting 1911 transcription until we have an agreement for the 1911 Census. Rather than do that I want to make it clear to transcribers that we maintain the right to enter into such agreements with third parties and to use the data as we see fit, including data entered during the testing phase. Transcribers do not maintain any rights to data they enter on the site as a condition of using the site. That said, I am open to allowing transcribers non-exclusive rights to use the data they personally transcribe, just not to restrict how we use the data.

I know that the above will turn off some people and stir suspicions, and believe me I would rather ignore the whole issue but it is important that ownership be clear so that we can enter agreements such as the one with LAC to ensure the data is not lost if something happens such that the site can not be maintained. It is also important that third parties understand that they cannot download the data from the site and sell it on their own website.

I hope that our efforts and track record are enough to buy us the benefit of the doubt as to our good intentions and to prevent the spate of accusations and general hate mail I received when I started the 1901 project.

gordhaddow · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 1591 Location: London, On

Damn the lawyers! Full speed ahead.
(apologies to the admiral)
Gord
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Slan Go Foill!

ggoldsb · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Winnipeg, MB

I have no objection whatever at providing my transcriptions gratis, and waiving any rights. You are doing a profound service to the global genealogical community in proving the service, and I am glad to know that the dataset will be available even if that LAC truck gets you. Whatever you may or may not be paid for providing the data to LAC is, in my view, well deserved.

That said, I wonder what can be done to reduce needless duplication with the folks at the Alberta Family History Society (www.afhs.ab.ca) who seem to be preparing to start their own 1911 census transcription? There are too few transcribers already to "waste" them on duplicate transcriptions. Personally, I would prefer to have everyone work at Automated Genealogy, as I find it a more flexible system.

My $0.02.
Gord

lpatten · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:29 pm Post subject:

I have to run to the airport but I just wanted to say the deal with the LAC does not involve any money, it is just a way to ensure the work is not lost under any circumstances.

The site has generated forty some dollars from the google ads so far, other than that I pretty much gave up on generating revenue in favour of just providing the best genealogical resource I could. With luck the google ads will make a dent in my monthly ISP bills! Wink

I still think my old search technology was great stuff, but it just wasn't worth the overhead involved in charging for it. I killed it because it was slowing down transcription, which I felt was a higher impact project.

CRAFTY · Guest

3 CHEERS FOR AUTOMATED GENEALOGY !!!! Laughing

Your site has been extremely helpful to me with your 1901 census index and I am looking forward to seeing the 1911 census indexed online.

Unfortunately, physical limitations prevent me from volunteering to transcribe etc., however, I would like to pass on my congrats for a job well done.

Keep it up <g>

Sean Delaney · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 772 Location: Ontario, Canada

Lindsay

I was wondering if the back up copy that they would then possess would also include all the linking projects that have been done and are currently being worked on Question

Sean

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lpatten · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:43 pm Post subject:

Louis Edward Boulanger · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Lindsay,,,Keep up the great job,,& email me for trancribing I would like Notre Dame des Bois, Qc census. Thanks Louis Edward Boulanger Very Happy

lpatten · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

I have registered Compton district. So you can try out transcription.
I am having trouble sending email while I am away from home. Hope you see this!

christiewilliamson · Guest

As I'm struggling through the images for the 1911 census I was just thinking how much fun it would be to be transcribing as I'm searching. I hope you can reach an agreement soon!

Hamilton, here I come!!

Christie

Louis Edward Boulanger · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Sorry to email you again. It seem that I can't open the trancribes of Compton. Or my pass word & name doesn't work. Can you help? Thanks Louis Edward Boulanger Sad

lpatten · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject:

What happens when you try? You don't need to be signed on to transcribe.

Louis Edward Boulanger · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Atlanta, Georgia

lpatten · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: Gung Ho!!

Guest · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:23 pm Post subject:

All sounds perfect to me and I have no quarrel with your making a few $$ on the transactions.

What I am worried about it that everyone will stop proofing the 1901 census and just go on to the 1911 transcribing. Will the serious folks try to do 2 to 1......2 transcribed pages of 1911 and 1 proofing of 1901? Just a wish on my part. The proofing is so important.