A student club founded during the pandemic is working with the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress to transcribe and digitize original source historical documents while gaining volunteer service hours.
Since starting the Transcribing Club at Youngstown State University, biology major Julie Centofanti of the YSU Honors College and her cohorts have transcribed almost 7,000 historical documents in cooperation with the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress. Centofanti discovered the opportunity when searching the internet for volunteer opportunities that would satisfy the university's requirement that every student complete 60 hours of voluntary service. Centofanti even transcribed letters written between her grandparents during World War II.
Centofanti, like many other students during the COVID-19 era, struggled to find volunteer opportunities due to pandemic restrictions. While she is a biology major, Centofanti has a passion for history, so the opportunity to transcribe historical documents piqued her interest. In a news release from Youngstown, Centofanti explains, "I know I'm a Biology major, but I love learning about the past. I found the historical aspect of these documents so interesting, and eventually I couldn't stop typing and reading."
This enthusiasm led Centofanti to establish the YSU Transcribing Club, which has now completed over 800 hours of work transcribing historical documents and letters, which are often difficult to read. The group has transcribed a wide variety of materials, including research notes from 1914 written about bird species in the Galapagos Islands and notes from astronomer Annie Jump Cannon. Centofanti noted the significance of Cannon's work measuring the temperature and location of stars: "It was revolutionary at the time for a female scientist to conduct such detailed experiments."
The YSU Transcribing Club also worked on a number of letters to Teddy Roosevelt, including a ten-page letter from a childhood friend asking Roosevelt for a cabinet position after Roosevelt was elected president. On a more personal note, Centofanti transcribed letters sent between her grandparents during World War II, about which she said, "They wrote letters about the war and discussed their life when he returned. Sadly, I never met them, but I feel like I truly know them by reading those letters."
The group plans to continue its efforts through the summer, using prizes to incentivize group members to keep going. Mollie Hartup, associate director of the Honors College, praised the work of the group. "The work that Julie accomplished in bringing this project together is remarkable. Just as remarkable is the lasting contribution to the nation's historical record that these students continue to provide."
Dean of the Honors College, Amy Cossentino, stressed the importance of both the work being done and the social connections being established by the YSU Transcribing Club. She said, "It is absolutely incredible how these students have made the most of the challenges presented this year. They came together online to serve but also made real connections, built friendships, and created community."
Both the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress continue to look for volunteers to transcribe historical documents.