Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about our transcription services. If you can't find what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us.

General Questions

What is Legacy Scribes?

Legacy Scribes is a professional transcription service specializing in converting handwritten journals, letters, diaries, and other historical documents into digital text. We help families preserve their written heritage and make it accessible for future generations.

Why should I have my family documents transcribed?

Transcription makes your family history more accessible, searchable, and preserves the content even if the original documents deteriorate. Digital text can be easily shared with family members, incorporated into family history projects, and passed down to future generations.

How does the process work?

Our process is simple: Ship your documents to us, and we'll scan and upload them to our secure platform. If you've already scanned them, you can easily upload them yourself. Once uploaded, our skilled typists carefully transcribe the content. Each transcription undergoes quality review before being delivered to you as a downloadable digital file in your preferred format, and as a cloud hosted shareable link.

Can you scan my documents for me?

Yes, we can walk you through shipping (or dropping off) your documents. We carefully scan each page and ensure high-quality results, and then return the originals to you once we've finished the transcriptions.

Will my documents be damaged in the scanning process?

Most documents can be scanned without any damage. However books with fragile bindings may receive some damage. The process of book scanning requires opening every single page individually, and pressing the page flat while taking a scan. This can be hard on bindings.

What types of documents can you transcribe?

We can transcribe virtually any handwritten document, including journals, diaries, letters, postcards, recipes, memoirs, family histories, meeting minutes, and more. We also handle typewritten documents that may be difficult to digitize through OCR due to age or quality issues.

Pricing and Services

How much does the transcription service cost?

We charge per page and it will generally land somewhere between $0.75 to $1.30. The final cost depends on various factors including handwriting legibility, document condition, and additional services requested. Please contact us for a custom quote.

Do you offer discounts for large projects?

Yes, we offer volume discounts for large projects. The discount percentage increases with the number of pages submitted. Please contact us for a customized quote for your specific project size.

How do I pay for your services?

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers. For larger projects, we typically request a 50% deposit to begin work, with the remaining balance due upon completion before final files are delivered.

Process and Timelines

How long does the scanning/transcription process take?

Turnaround time can range from a few week to several months depending on the size of the project. Expedited services are available for an additional fee.

Can I request rush service?

Yes, we offer expedited services for urgent projects. Rush orders typically incur an additional fee of 25-50% depending on the timeline requested and our current capacity. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs and timeline.

How will I receive my completed transcriptions?

Completed transcriptions are delivered digitally through our secure platform. You receive a shareable link for each journal, and can always access them through your account here on legacyscribes. You can also download your files in various formats including PDF, Microsoft Word, plain text, or other formats upon request.

Can I make revisions to a completed transcription?

Through your Legacyscribes.com account you can make revisions any time. Just log in and click 'make changes' on the pages you want to modify.

Technical and Privacy Concerns

Is my personal content safe and private?

Absolutely. We take data privacy very seriously. All our typists sign confidentiality agreements, and your documents are encrypted during transmission and storage. We never share your content with third parties without your explicit permission.

What file formats can I upload?

We accept images in JPEG formats for now. If you have PDF versions, you can send them to us, and we can convert them for you. For best results, we recommend clear, high-resolution images where the writing is as legible as possible. We can provide guidance on how to best photograph or scan your documents if needed.

What happens if my handwriting is difficult to read?

Our typists are trained to handle difficult handwriting, but when words are truly illegible, we use [illegible] notations in the text. If you can provide context or help decipher particularly challenging sections, we're happy to collaborate with you to ensure the most accurate transcription possible.

Can you handle documents in languages other than English?

Yes, we support transcription services for multiple languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more. Please specify your language requirements when submitting your project. Additional fees may apply for certain languages depending on complexity and availability of qualified transcribers.

Still have questions?

We're here to help with any questions you may have about preserving your family's legacy. Feel free to reach out