Despachos Project
This is a request for help. I need a lot of help in transcribing years of data from the Amsterdam archives.
The Portuguese Jewish Community of Amsterdam had to deal with a vast problem: poverty. Poor Sephardim from all over Europe flocked to Amsterdam, because rumour had it that no one was turned away without receiving at least something; something to eat, a bed, information and advice. And so it was. Some stayed in Amsterdam, others were sent away with a subsidy for travel, or to set up a new life elsewhere. Tirtsah Levie Bernfeld counted 6000 Despachos in the years from 1615 to 1759. Of more than 4000 of them the destination is known.
My project is to transcribe the lists from 1676-1729, because
a) they are clearly recognisable as lists of despachos
b) they are richer in information than later lists, and
c) from my point of view it looks manageable.
You have to have at least an intermediate level with old script. Some affinity with Portuguese will come in handy. If you are good at both, I might burden you with the task of correcting other peoples work.
If you sign up - which I hope many of you will do - you will receive one or two scans concerning one list for one year, and a format in excel to work with. I must insist on the use of one format only, or the results cannot be combined.
Send an email to [email protected] - and tell me if you are good or intermediate with old script.
Is there a reward for this? Yes! For one my eternal gratitude for a few years! Fame, for being part of a most promising project! And I will send the results to all and everyone that participates! Until the data are published you will have unique access to unique data.
A helpful guide for reading records in Portuguese is:Basic Portuguese Paleography. Series H, no. 20. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, Genealogical Department, 1978. (FHL book 467.17 B292, fiche 6001480.) This guide includes many examples of Portuguese records, handwriting, abbreviations, given names, and spelling variations. A PDF of this booklet is available in four sections:
The Portuguese Jewish Community of Amsterdam had to deal with a vast problem: poverty. Poor Sephardim from all over Europe flocked to Amsterdam, because rumour had it that no one was turned away without receiving at least something; something to eat, a bed, information and advice. And so it was. Some stayed in Amsterdam, others were sent away with a subsidy for travel, or to set up a new life elsewhere. Tirtsah Levie Bernfeld counted 6000 Despachos in the years from 1615 to 1759. Of more than 4000 of them the destination is known.
My project is to transcribe the lists from 1676-1729, because
a) they are clearly recognisable as lists of despachos
b) they are richer in information than later lists, and
c) from my point of view it looks manageable.
You have to have at least an intermediate level with old script. Some affinity with Portuguese will come in handy. If you are good at both, I might burden you with the task of correcting other peoples work.
If you sign up - which I hope many of you will do - you will receive one or two scans concerning one list for one year, and a format in excel to work with. I must insist on the use of one format only, or the results cannot be combined.
Send an email to [email protected] - and tell me if you are good or intermediate with old script.
Is there a reward for this? Yes! For one my eternal gratitude for a few years! Fame, for being part of a most promising project! And I will send the results to all and everyone that participates! Until the data are published you will have unique access to unique data.
A helpful guide for reading records in Portuguese is:Basic Portuguese Paleography. Series H, no. 20. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, Genealogical Department, 1978. (FHL book 467.17 B292, fiche 6001480.) This guide includes many examples of Portuguese records, handwriting, abbreviations, given names, and spelling variations. A PDF of this booklet is available in four sections:
- Basic Portuguese Paleography Part 1
- Basic-Portuguese Paleography Part 2
- Basic Portuguese Paleography Part 3
- Basic Portuguese Paleography Part 4