How to Submit your Document on ViewMate

(1) Prepare your documents

• Prepare your documents (using scanner or image editing software) and save them in the appropriate format - JPEG, TIFF, PNG or GIF. Please be sure to include the correct extension (.jpg, .jpeg, .tif, .tiff, .png or .gif) in the filename.
• Please do not use a number as the first character in your filename.
• Crop your document if necessary to display only the area of interest - this will reduce the document's file size.
• Remember, ViewMate will accept a maximum file size of 3 MB per file.

Tips and recommendations on scanning and preparing your documents can be found in the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section.

NOTE - A maximum of five (5) files per user per viewing cycle (7 days). If you have additional files, please DO NOT SUBMIT them until your current files have been removed.

(2) Log in to JewishGen

Log in to JewishGen or register as a new user to upload files and access your "My ViewMate."

(3) Submit your document to ViewMate

Use the Upload Your Image page to upload your document to ViewMate. After you confirm that the image is acceptable, you add the information about your file on another form.

To make your submission more effective, please provide the following information when possible:

• Source of the photo/document: Did you find it through a link from a [name of organization) search? Be sure to mention that -- it helps other researchers know where to look for their own documents. Did you order a document directly from an archive? Let us know which one.
• List towns and surnames when you know them: This clarifies matters for people responding to your query, but it may also specifically attract other researchers with connections to particular towns.
• Describe what you know about a photograph: What organization, if you know it, date/place it was taken, etc.
• Be as clear as possible about what you seek from a translation: Are you looking for specific facts (i.e., bride's mother's maiden name?) or do you need to have everything translated?

You will then see all your submissions listed on a single page with the ability to edit any file, if necessary. You complete the submission process on the Listing page and receive a confirmation message after you submit each file. An email notification that your file has been submitted is sent automatically to the ViewMate Administrator.

(4) ViewMate Administrator prepares your document for display on ViewMate

Upon receiving notification that your file has been submitted to ViewMate, the ViewMate Admin will post your document to the ViewMate Viewing Gallery. Your file will NOT be displayed immediately. Under most circumstances, this will be done within 2-3 days.

(5) ViewMate Admin contacts you when the document is ready

When your file has been placed on the ViewMate site, the ViewMate Administrator will contact you via e-mail to notify you that the file is available for viewing.

(6) You announce the availability of your ViewMate document

Once your document is made available on ViewMate, you can publicly announce its availability in the most appropriate forum (such as JewishGen SIG lists).

(7) Managing Your Submissions

For instructions on managing your submissions after they've been posted, please see the "Managing Your Images" questions on the FAQ page.