National Archives Needs Your Help Deciphering Historical Handwriting
2025-01-18
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The US National Archives holds a vast collection of historical documents written in cursive, many of which are difficult to read. To increase accessibility of its digital catalog, the Archives launched the 'Citizen Archivist' program, recruiting volunteers to transcribe and organize these handwritten records. Volunteers can use simple online tools to transcribe or tag already transcribed documents, contributing even small amounts of time. This project not only aids historical research but also gives more people access to American history and even reignites interest in cursive writing, as more states mandate its teaching in schools.