Swem Library recently recognized volunteers who have helped in the online transcription of Civil War era documents from the library’s Special Collections. Over 300 people have volunteered to transcribe thousands of manuscripts and make them available online as part of Swem Library’s “From Fights to Rights: The Long Road to a More Perfect Union” project.
"Online transcriptions make the materials in our Special Collections more accessible to students, faculty and other users. We could not undertake a project of this scope without the help of our volunteers," said Dean of University Libraries Carrie Cooper.
The library's second annual volunteer appreciation event included a lecture by Sean and Lisa Heuvel on their upcoming book about William & Mary and the Civil War. Attendees were also able to view new Civil War acquisitions on display only for the event.
Cathy Swormstedt began volunteering for the transcription project last summer. The opportunity to work with original Civil War documents drew her to the project.
"The transcription project provides me with a unique opportunity for 'up-close' contact with an important part of our nation's history," Swormstedt said. "The diaries, letters and other documents we work on are direct links to the Civil War experiences of people in all walks of life. Their stories are fascinating!"
"From Fights to Rights” commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement through public programs, exhibits, digitization of topic-related theses and dissertations, and the volunteer transcription project. The transcription project plays a vital role in making Civil War era manuscripts, including diaries and letters from Swem’s Special Collections, accessible to the public. The first phase of the project focuses on Civil War era materials; documents from the Civil Rights Movement will be transcribed in the next phase.
More information on the “From Fights To Rights” project and details on the transcription project are available on Swem's website.