The Transcription Place

It has been a few days since my latest post, but I am Back!! 

First of all I would like to thank everyone that has posted a comment to my posts and tell you all what I have been up to.

I would like to brag a little if I may and share some personal news about four of our grandchildren.

It has been a busy few weeks for us. We have four grandchildren graduating from various universites and high schools.

One granddaughter graduated from The College of Notre Dame of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, Prelaw, History and Philosophy.

One granddaughter  graduated from Patrick Henry College in Virginia  with a degree in Government: Strategic Intelligence

One granddaughter  graduated from a Community  College with an Associates Degree in Music, and has been awarded scholoarships to Towson University, in Maryland. She gave her piano recital playing a very impressive program.

One grandson graduating from high school and who will be attending Towson University in Maryland.

We are so very blessed and very proud.

Thanks for listening.

Next: What Would You Like to Include as You Tell Your Story

Why is transcriptiion more complicated than just typing what you hear?

When a transcriptionist types it is not just a matter of putting down the words verbatim. It is about:

• Typing the right words.

• Inserting the appropriate punctuation and conveying the sense of the text as a whole.

• It is listening to what is being said.

• It is understanding that the flow of the words is important and that the wrong punctuation can completely alter the meaning of a sentence.

At The Transcription Place , we make every effort to render a transcript intelligible. We will not type any gibberish but neither will we make up dialogue to fill gaps. We type exactly what we hear and no more, while keeping in mind the four statments stated above.

I am deeply interested in what it is I am transcribing and believe that I have a valuable, worthwhile service to offer my clients. I am very proud of my skills and my dedication to each and every client I serve.

Next What Determines the length of time it takes to transcribe an audio?

What is General Transcription?

The art of high quality transcription is comprehension, not just putting words on paper, but putting the right words on paper. I do more than just type the words. I am deeply interested in whatever it is I am transcribing. There is a creative, collaborative give and take between my clients and me that seems to be of benefit to both of us, beyond the action of me just transcribing their audio recordings.  I do enjoy what I do.

There are so many wonderful rewards that come with my business. First of all I meet so many extraordinary people. The topics that I have been privileged to transcribe cover many areas:

• From informational to inspirational and everything in between.
• From interviews of people in far off islands in the pacific, to radio personalities.
• From NASA software engineers to global warming.
• From history to astronomy.
• From spirituality to human interest stories; and many more.

Is it any wonder I love what I do!

Some examples of transcription works that fall under the general transcription cagegory are:

• Interviews – Students, writers, researchers, and broadcasters are always conducting and recording interviews.
• PhD Candidates – have interviews transcribed for their dissertation or thesis.
• Podcasts - Many pod casters want their podcasts transcribed in order to post them on their website and send out to newsletter subscribers.
• Speakers - Convert recordings of your speeches into material for a book or an e-book to help establish your reputaiton as a credible expert in your field. Also a certain percentage of your audience my have hearing challenges and not be able to understand you  clearly, give them a transcript of your speech.
• Talk Radio  Shows – Talk radio show hosts have their talk shows transcribed for delivery through email, and post them on their websites.
• Writers – Free up your time to make your  fiction or non-fiction book a success. Do you want more time to come up with new ideas? Dictate your thoughts and have them transcribed as notes or a detailed outline. Dictate your first draft and have  it transcribed into a text file, then work with it on your computer.

Be creative and add your own ideas to this list!

Ten Reasons Why You Would Want to Record Your Story (And none of them have to do with grammer!)

“Knowledge is the memory of the brain; Wisdom is memory of the soul” (Author unknown)

• Give your families a written picture of your life and the times you have seen. We have all lived through event packed periods of history and we need to record our own time and place so that our familiers will remember.

• Pass down your memories to your children and grandchildren so that you can enrich their lives and deepen family connections.

• Let your descendants know that you were a real person and not just a name on a tree.

• No one else knows the stories of your life quite like you do.

• Keep the stories alive that you heard from your grandparents so those stories will not die out with you.

• The things you did when you were young are as remote from children today as Earth is from  Mars.

• Reflect on the things you value most and what you stand for. These reflections are the voice of your heart.

• Pass down your memories to your children and grandchildren so you can enrich their lives and deepen family connections.

• Each and everyone of us is the connecting link between generations. Tell your story to be sure you keep that connection going.

• Leave a legacy of love by providing youir family with the richness of your life through telling your story so that your children can tell their children that you stood for something wonderful!

Your memories are more valuable than gold, because your memories are you! Once you begin mining those golden memories you will be amazed at the treasures you find.

Next:  What would you like to include in your story?

How Do You Determine Your Age?

Do you look at the calendar or your paper work [your birth certificate] and say well, I’m 60 something, or 70 something or 80 something or perhaps even 90 something and then decide how old you are. Has anyone ever said this to you, “Why don’t you act your age!” What on earth does that mean!

Do you typically go to the stereotypical picture of someone in their 80s, or 90s as being wrinkled or shriveled in body and mind? Someone who has lost that sparkle in their eyes or interest in life. I have to ask, where did that picture come from anyway? I have seen people in their 50s or 60s who believe they are old and I have seen people in their 80s and even 90s who are perhaps challenged by some physical limitations but who have a beautiful smile, a wonderful sense of humor and a heart filled with love.

My grandmother was one such person. Grandmother W. was born in 1867 and died in 1962 at the age of 95 and was still young at heart. She had 5 children and outlived all of them. She became a widow at the age of 52, had a victory garden during World War II at the age of 77, was hearing impaired and wore a hearing aid for most of her life. Now this was not the kind of hearing aid one wears today. She maintained her home and some of her children and their families came back home to live with her at some time or another and my family was one of them. She always had a smile on her face an incredible sense of humor and a heart filled with love.

There was an article in the newspaper in July 1944, titled “77 Year –Old Lady raises Model Victory Garden at Kenwood. One day a neighbor said to my grandmother, “Why there is not a weed in your garden”, and my grandmother replied, “Of course not, I don’t raise weeds, I raise vegetables!”

I remember my grandmother had an old time pipe organ, and I used to play on it hour on end when I was just a little girl. During the war when heating fuel was scarce, my grandmother chopped up that organ for fire wood. One might say what a terrible thing to do, but I can hear Grandmother now saying, “We have to do what we have to do.”

Grandmother W. obviously did not check her ‘paperwork’ because she did not believe she was supposed to act old!

I can imagine if anyone ever said to her, act your age, she would probably have said, “Oh, I am!”

I met a gentleman a number of years ago who was in his 80s and was writing a book. He needed someone to type the manuscript for him. Phil had a number of health issues that could have kept him from doing many things if he allowed them to. I worked with Phil for several years and when he was finished his book he had a number of copies printed just to give to family and friends. His book is titled, “Building America: From 13 Colonies to 50 States. This is truly a wonderful little book and I have to say I learned more from that little book than from any history text book I have ever read. However, my biggest reward was meeting this extraordinary man. He had so many wonderful stories to tell and was so willing to share those stories with my husband and with me. He also wrote a collection of Essays for his family, which I also had the pleasure  of typing for him.

So, I say to you – Act Your Age, whatever you perceive that age to be, not by calendar years but by spirit!

Next: Ten Reasons Why You Want to Record Your Story

Let’s Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane

 Do you remember -

• What it was like before frozen foods, fast foods, touch tone phones and cell phones? 
• Watching Saturday morning cartoons, the Mickey Mouse Club, and Captain Kangaroo.
• When a ride to the country was a real trip and going downtown seemed like going somewhere.
• When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked and gas pumped without asking, FOR FREE, every time and you didn’t have to pay for air.
• Do you remember P.F. flyers, penny loafers, drive in movies, 45 rpm records, hoola hoops and Cabbage Patch dolls?

 Going back a little further, do you remember –

• Those oh so wonderful party lines, that is if you were fortunate enough to have a telephone.
• The five and dime stores where you could actually buy things for a nickel or a dime. When your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces.
• How about penny candy in a brown paper bag, hop scotch, jump rope, jacks and dodge ball?
• The roller skate keys and home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers.
• When movies only cost 25 cents and you could spend the entire afternoon watching the newsreels, the cartoons, the Travel Talks, the weekly serials and of course the main feature.

 Then on December 7, 1941 came the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor. It was noon on December 8, 1941 that a record sixty million Americans stared in disbelief at their radios as President Roosevelt spoke these grave words – “Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” We were at war!

 Now almost 69 years later, on September 11, 2001 the whole world stared at their televisions in absolute horror watching the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D. C.

 As Charles Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities – “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.”

How quickly things can disappear from sight. Think about how valuable it is to capture and record our treasured memories while we can – before it is too late.

 How often do we reminisce with family and friends and take that stroll down “Memory Lane?” Think about what a valuable gift you can give to your family and to yourself by recoding your time and place in history. If you don’t tell your story, no one will. Your memories are more valuable than gold because your memories are you. Once you begin mining those golden memories you will be amazed at what treasures you will find.

 Give your family a written picture of your lives and the times you have seen. We have all lived through event packed periods of history and we need to record our own time and place so that our children will remember.

 Leave a legacy of love by providing your family with the richness of your life through your Memory Keepsake. Record your story so that your children can tell their children that you stood for something wonderful!

Next: How Do You Determine Your Age?

Do You Know About the Veterans History Project At the Library of Congress?

 The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project (VHP) in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

 The Veterans History Project (VHP) collects and preserves the remembrances of American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them. These collections of first-hand accounts are archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for use by researchers and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come. The Project collects remembrances of veterans who served in:

• World War I –                                   1914-1920
• World War II –                                 1939-1946
• Korean War -                                     1950–1955
• Vietnam War -                                  1961- 1975
• Persian Gulf War –                          1990- 1995
• Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts –   2001 to present.
• Civilian supporters: war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.

 The Veterans History Project relies on volunteers throughout the nation to collect veterans’ stories on behalf of the Library of Congress.

 VHP archives its collections at the Library of Congress and makes them available to researchers and to the public. In addition to compiling a unique archive for scholars, the Veterans History Project hopes to inspire future generations with these stories of service to our country. These stories are made available to researchers and the general public, both at the Library in Washington, D.C., and via the VHP website.

 What Veterans are saying about the Veterans History Project:

• “ I am profoundly proud and honored that my story will be permanently archived in the Veterans History Project with the stories of tens of thousands of fellow American Veterans who, as a matter of honor and duty, served their country in time of war.”

                               Warren Tsuneishi, WWI Veteran

•  I would encourage every veteran to participate in the Veterans History Project. I know personally that I’d never discussed my experiences with my wife and children. They were very surprised when they viewed my video, and it led us to communicate more.”                           

                                            Jacob Younginer, Vietnam War Veteran

•  Brian and I were honored to tell our Vietnam story for the Veterans History Project. Our reflections of our war stories, mine as an Army nurse in Vietnam and his two tours in Vietnam plus his service in the Gulf War, have made it possible to preserve our living history voices for our children and all future generations.

          Jeane Urbin Markle, Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War and wife of Brian Cody Markle, Vietnam and Persian Gulf War Veterans.

 These quotes were taken directly from a Brochure of The Veterans History Project.

 To learn more about this project go to the website of The Veterans History Project or www.loc.gov/vets

Next:  Let’s Take a Walk Down Memory Lane

Veterans Stories

 With Memorial Day just around the corner I would like to focus on Veterans Stories as a theme.  All Veterans deserve to have their stories permanently recorded as a way of honoring their invaluable contributions to protecting us and preserving our way of life.

Be it a:

World War II veteran – many of whom we are losing at 1800 a day. Telling stories of individual men and women – stories of a generation now known as The Greatest Generation.   

“America’s citizen heroes and heroines who came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America.  This generation was united not only by a common purpose but also by common values – duty, honor, courage, and service, love of family and  country and above all, responsibility for oneself. They have so many stories to  tell, stories that in many cases they have never told before, because in a deep  sense they didn’t think that what they were doing was that special, because  everyone else was doing it too.” [From the book, The Greatest Generation,  by Tom Brokow.]

•  The Korean War veterans who unfortunately have been largely forgotten.

• The Vietnam War veterans who went off to an unpopular war and came home to a welcome they did not deserve.

• Veterans of the Persian Gulf War or veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.

Then there are the men and women who served in World War I. On a personal note, I knew that my father enlisted in the Army in 1917 at the height of this war, married my mother on April 28, 1917 and two days later returned to his base and then in July left for France, where he served his country and was wounded. He did not return home until June 1919, only to learn that his father had passed away in April of that year. This is all I know. Recently one of my sons, who is of the Baby Boomer generation, told me he was reading a book that was written by the grandson of a World War I veteran and my son was asking what I knew about his grandfather who was a veteran of that war. Sadly enough there is very little I can tell him other than a few facts and dates. I do have several pictures but I would love to have some stories to go along with those facts and pictures.

Next:  Learn about the Veterans History Project and how you can participate.

What type of Memory Keepsake would you like to create?

 The possibilities for preserving personal histories are as diverse as the individuals involved. Listed below are some of the types to consider:

•  A Life Story   Simply put a life story is a personal history that tells the story of ones life. It does not need to be a full blown biography but rather a Memoir choosing only those parts of your story you want to tell. Be creative and remember this is your own special, unique Memoir so let it reflect your personality. 

•  Memories of Parents and Grandparents  Encourage your parent, parents, grandparents or any much loved relative to record their memories.  Ask them questions about the things you would like to know about their lives – their experiences and their wisdom!

•  A Love Story  An account of how you and your spouse met, your courtship, your love for each other and your hopes for the future. This can be the centerpiece of your Life Story combined with pictures and other memorabilia to create a beautiful keepsake. This Keepsake makes a touching gift for friends and family attending a wedding anniversary celebration.

• In Memory of a Loved One   A Keepsake in memory of a loved one who has passed away, to celebrate their life, complete with photos and other memorabilia

• Veterans Stories - Veterans stories are their accounts as told in their own words and adds the human experience to the facts behind those stories. All veterans deserve to have their stories permanently recorded as a way of honoring the invaluable contributions to protecting us and preserving our way of life. Be it the World War II veterans, The Korean War veterans, the Vietnam War veterans, the veterans of the Gulf War or of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.

• A Collection of Stories Give a collection of stories as gifts. Whenever you are looking for a unique gift, one of the wonderful gifts you can give is a collection of family stories!!!

• A Pet Tribute For Pet Lovers Remember the stories of that much loved pet complete with pictures made into a book or a slide show with background music, to share with other family members.

There are so many possibilities. Be creative and think about what type appeals to you most.

Have fun with it and begin telling those wonderful stories.

When we record our memories on paper, we are not only finding a way to make that connection with our families that came before us but we are also finding a way to connect to our own spirit.

I have heard so many people say, “I’ll write my story when I have time.” That phrase is the burial ground for memories.  NOW IS THE TIME!  For the sake of yourself and your family don’t lose that story! If you don’t tell your family about the world you lived in, who will?

Happy writing!

Next: Veterans Stories

Welcome everyone!

I am so excited to share a  new service with you that is offered by The Transcription Place ! 

Create a Memories In Time Keepsake!

Everyone has  a story to tell. Have you told yours?  What is the first thing you think about when asked that question? 

 Writing your story as an Autobiography is very different than writing your Memoir!

An autobiography is:

• A  history requirng research, dates, and facts double checked.
• Is  a chronological telling of ones experiences which should  include phases such as childhood, adolescence, adulthood, etc.
• Is chronological and follows a certain timeline.

A Memoir on the other hand:

•  Is more personal and can be written by anyone.
• Can move back and forth in time through a person’s life only highlighting the periods that relate to the specific theme of the work.
• Is a narrative that reveals experiences within the author’s  lifetime.
• Refers to a self written account of random events, feelings, phases in one’s life that stand out in the memories  of that person because of the impact it created in that persons life.

Give yourself permission to write about yourself and have fun doing it!

A memoir is a work of love and a wonderful gift that your family will cherish always!

“There was never an uninteresting life, such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy and a tragedy.”  Mark Twain

 Next: Learn about the many kinds of Keepsakes you can create!!