Volunteers are needed by the East Hampton Library to help transcribe old, scanned East Hampton Town records and other documents, its director, Dennis Fabiszak, asked us to announce.
A link on the library homepage leads to From the Page, an online system in which participants can read original, handwritten material from as early as the 17th century and enter the text as they go. The initiative helps scholars, land-title researchers, and people working on their own family genealogies find what they are looking for.
Mr. Fabiszak said that a recently added collection of papers from the Proprietors of Montauk is a priority. The documents focus on the ownership history of Montauk, going back to Colonial records and continuing through Arthur Benson's efforts to purchase and control land in the area.
Transcribers are also needed for work on whaling logs, account books, deeds, and church records.
The library's phone number is 631-324-0222 for more information.