File Header Example

This file header was produced using WinBMD. The header produced by SpeedBMD is identical except for the 'Y,Y,N,,0' sequence at the end of the second line.

The associated scan was 40D4-L-Z-0591.gif and the transcribed file 40D42591.SCA. This example shows the effect of adjusting the numbers that complete the filename when the header information is entered correctly before the data is added.

+INFO,brian.smart@blueyonder.co.uk,Password,SEQUENCED,DEATHS
#,XX,Brian Smart,Brian's Scan Syndicate,40D42591.SCA,18-Jul-2002,Y,Y,N,,0
#,
+S,1840,Dec,UKD-01,18-Jul-2002
+PAGE,2591

The first line shows the email address of the transcriber, and the fact that the transcription is of sequenced deaths. DEATHS will be replaced by BIRTHS or MARRIAGES as appropriate.

The second line is used by WinBMD or SpeedBMD to detail the options selected. The first item is 'XX' which is the Volume Number Format. If this is entered incorrectly Roman numerals will be replaced by Arabic or visa versa. Your name and the name of the syndicate and the name of the transcribed file follow. If the rules regarding adjustment of the last four digits are not followed the filename on this line will be incorrect. The last Item on the line is the date the file was started.

Line three would include any comments you added to the header.

Line four starts +S, this shows the transcription is a scan. The Year,Quarter and Source/Scan Ref follow, and last comes the date the file was last modified.

Line 5 has the initial +PAGE,nnnn entry. Note that the number associated with the +PAGE,nnnn entry is the same as the last four digits of the filename shown in line 2

The information contained in the header may be corrected using Windows Notepad or any other ASCII text editor. Do not use editors that add formatting information to the file.

If you edit the file header directly rather than by using WindBMD or SpeedBMD please let me know when you send me the files, so that I can check for errors more carefully.

MacBMD file headers do not include lines two and three, but are otherwise the same.

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