Transcribe-a-Thon

10am-12pm and 1-3pm

Explore the history of Sandy Spring through transcription! Transcribe original archival documents to help make these fascinating and important artifacts searchable and accessible to all.

To celebrate the warmer weather and the beginning of Spring and Summer travel season, for this Transcribe-A-Thon we will be transcribing travel diaries! These diaries contain the itineraries of Sandy Spring residents as they traveled to various destinations around the world, such as the American West, Mexico, and Europe. Each traveler’s recorded personal experiences provides researchers with information on historical traveling practices, the historical environments of their destinations, and cultural exchanges. With the oldest diary going all the way back to 1792, these diaries also demonstrate the stress and dangers of traveling in the past that we take for granted today. Come join us as we travel to the past and transcribe these fascinating diaries!

There will be two sessions over zoom from 10:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-3:00pm. There will be a brief instructional demo on transcription at the start of each session. SSM staff will be on the call to help answer questions. Volunteers can sign up for one or both sessions.

This opportunity is appropriate for ages 13 and up. Many documents require the ability to read cursive in order to transcribe. SSL hours are available. Because this is a virtual opportunity, a parent or guardian must submit a permission slip to the museum. The permission slip will be emailed to you after registering for this opportunity.

For accommodation requests, please email hmichael@sandyspringmuseum.org or call 301-774-0022.

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:
• A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.
• Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.
• Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.
• The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.
• Virtual sessions will not be recorded.
• Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.
• Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.