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About this project This collection contains employment records from the railroad companies operating in California. They contain pay lists, and various employment records for persons working on the railroad. Many of these workers were Asian immigrants who came to build the railroad across America. This collection also contains a "Black List" volume which contain the names and reasons employees were fired or dismissed from employment.

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Project Instructions This collection contains employment information from California railroad workers. Many of these workers were immigrants.

For this project we will be keying name, occupation, and record dates.

There are three form types for this project. A "Date and Names" form type where all the information is on the same image (We are not expecting any "Date with Names" form types in this iteration). The "Page 1" form type and "Page 2" form type are for documents which are split across two images. The first image will contain names, the second image will contain dates.

For further keying instructions and ongoing community discussion regarding this project, please review the project page on the wiki and the accompanying discussion tab.

Project-specific sample images and form field help:
Choose a sample image from below to see the corresponding form field examples.
Date with Names
Page 1
Page 2
Microfilm
Cover page, Section header, etc
Image with no data

Date with Names

Choose the "Date with Names" form type for images with a full left and right page. These images will contain name, occupation and date fields.

Prefix

Key any titles before the given name, such as "Dr," "Mr," or "Mrs," of the primary person as seen on the record using the dictionary provided for assistance. Only prefix values should be keyed into the prefix field.

Given

Key the first name or initial and any middle names of the primary person as seen on the record using the dictionary provided for assistance. Initials should be keyed with a space between them and without entering periods.

Surname

Key the surname as seen on the record using the dictionary provided for assistance.

Suffix

Key all titles, such as "Jr" or "III", following the surname of the primary person as seen on the record using the dictionary provided for assistance.

Record Date Day

Key the day from the record date as seen on the record. Date may be found on the "Page 2" form type or on the right side of a "Date with Names" form type.

Record Date Month

Key the month in its three-letter abbreviation from the record date using the dictionary provided to assist you. If the month appears as a number, key as seen. Date may be found on the "Page 2" form type or on the right side of a "Date with Names" form type.

Record Date Year

Key the year from the record date as seen on the record. Date may be found on the "Page 2" form type or on the right side of a "Date with Names" form type.

Occupation

Key the occupation as seen on the record using the dictionary provided for assistance. Occupation may be found in the column labeled "Class of Work."

Keying Image Sample

Page 1

This form type is to be used for the first image for records that span two images. Page 1 includes the names of railroad employees, but no date. Most of these pages will also have occupations listed on the record page.

Additional Image Sample