Standardizing the Data Entry
Is there a guide to running a Shtetl CO-OP project ?
What are the JRI-Poland guidelines for Photocopying Index Pages ?
What software should my town’s data be typed in ?
What tips can you give me about reading Polish Jewish surnames ?
Q: Is there a guide to running a Shtetl CO-OP project ?
A: Yes! The Jewish Records Indexing – Poland Project has a "Shtetl CO-OP Coordinator’s Step-by-Step Guide." It is in MS WORD 5 format.
Q: What are the JRI-Poland guidelines for Photocopying Index Pages ?
A: The basic rule for photocopying index pages is to make the largest and best quality copy possible. Since other people’s handwriting is always a challenge, using the best quality copy possible will make the job easier.
Shtetl CO-OP Coordinators are urged to make and retain good quality photocopies prior to mailing pages to volunteers to enter. It will make it easier to proofread the volunteers’ work later, and will save you a step (and money) in the event that a volunteer doesn’t complete the assigned work.
If you are willing to photocopy the indexes for a town, but are not able to transliterate them yourself and do not wish to organize the volunteer effort to transliterate them… JRI-Poland will attempt to find volunteers after you send us the photocopies. In this case, we ask that you send us only FIRST GENERATION copies of the index pages. A first generation copy is one copied directly from the source, not a copy of a copy… for with each generation, the quality deteriorates.
Index pages may also be purchased from the JRI-Poland Copy Center in Toronto, Canada. This is a non-profit service operated by volunteers. Orders for pages are coordinated by Hadassah Lipsius. Read about the full details of the Toronto Copy Center.
Q: What software should my town’s data be typed in ?
A: Data is accepted from volunteers in one of the following formats:
- Spreadsheet (i.e. Microsoft Excel, Lotus 123, etc.)
- Database (i.e.: dBase, Microsoft Access, Lotus Approach, etc.)
- comma delimited (CSV) format
If you have a question regarding the use of these or other software applications, please contact Hadassah Lipsius.
Q: What tips can you give me about reading Polish Jewish surnames ?
A: The key to reading Polish Jewish surnames is to familiarize yourself with the names commonly found in the area around the town of interest. There are lists available for your town retrieved from business directories, Yizkor Books and other sources. Surname lists from nearby towns often contain very similar names and are available from JRI-Poland. Please contact Hadassah Lipsius for more information.
It is also important to learn to pronounce the letters in the Polish alphabet. It will help with both your personal research and the data entry process. E.g., the surname "KAC" is pronounced "katz" which explains the source of the Anglicized spelling. A pronunciation guide is available at:
Appendix 3 of the Shtetl CO-OP Coordinator’s Step-by-Step Guide, entitled "Tips/Hints for Reading Polish" gives good examples of how to decipher Polish Jewish first names.