National Archives, Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, Series: Letters Received, File Unit 1873 – File No. 5111 (Mood, Chas – Texas), NAID 142879425, Textual Records, 4 Images.
Thanks to a unique volunteer opportunity, your cursive skills could help uncover those treasures.
As part of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the National Archives and National Park Service have teamed up for a special project to transcribe thousands of documents related to the Revolutionary War.
These aren’t just any old papers, these are original pension and bounty-land warrant applications from the time, filled with stories of soldiers, families, and events that shaped the country. But here’s the catch: these documents are written in cursive, a handwriting style that’s becoming more and more foreign to modern eyes.
The National Archives is looking for volunteers to help transcribe and tag these important documents. The goal is to make these handwritten records more accessible to researchers, genealogists, and history enthusiasts alike.
Transcribing these old records is not an easy task. Sure, the National Archives uses AI and optical character recognition technology to digitize millions of records, but these tools often struggle with the nuances of cursive.
So, what’s the solution? People like you who can read cursive.
Now, before you think, “I barely remember how to write cursive, let alone read it,” hear me out. Getting started is easier than you think. All you need is an internet connection and a little bit of time. The Citizen Archivist program is open to anyone, no applications necessary. Once you sign up, you can pick a record that hasn’t been transcribed yet and get to work.
It doesn’t even take a ton of time, just half an hour a day or a couple of sessions a week. You can transcribe military records, letters, diaries, family trees, and so much more. You might even find yourself reading about Revolutionary War veterans, their families, and the events that shaped the nation. There’s a good chance you’ll uncover something new that hasn’t been seen in decades, maybe even centuries.
But it’s not just about transcribing; you can also tag the documents. This is the part where you can add helpful keywords to make these records easier to find online. This way, when someone is researching their family history or studying the Revolutionary War, they’ll be able to find these documents quickly and easily.
Since 2023, thousands of volunteers have contributed to the Revolutionary War transcriptions, but there are still thousands more waiting to be unlocked. And with the 250th anniversary around the corner, the National Archives is eager to finish transcribing as much as possible in time for the celebrations.
National Archives, M619 – Letters Received by the Office of the Adjutant General (Main Series), 1861-1870, National Archives Identifier 85656894, Search Identifier Fold3 2018, Roll 182.
So, why should you care? Beyond the history buffs and genealogists, this is a chance to do something important for your country. Plus, it’s kind of like being a part of a living history book. You’re contributing to something that will outlast your generation and possibly many after.
And, if Revolutionary War records aren’t your thing, don’t worry, there are tons of other historical periods to dive into. The National Archives constantly updates the list of transcriptions and tagging opportunities, so there’s always something new to explore.
Ready to give it a try? Head over to archives.org/citizen-archivist, sign up, and start unlocking history with your cursive skills today.
It’s simple, it’s impactful, and it’s a little piece of history that’s waiting for someone just like you to bring it back to life.