“US National Archives Launches Search for Experts in Reading Cursive Writing”
**Unlocking History: How Volunteers are Helping Preserve Handwritten Documents**
In an era dominated by keyboards and touchscreens, the art of cursive writing has become increasingly rare. Yet, its significance remains monumental, particularly when it comes to deciphering the past. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is calling on those with cursive literacy — or a willingness to learn — to volunteer as citizen archivists. This initiative plays a crucial role in preserving and making accessible pivotal moments of history, including documents from the Revolutionary War era and beyond.
### A Mission for the Nation’s 250th Anniversary
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, NARA, in collaboration with the National Parks Service, is ramping up efforts to make millions of historical documents easily accessible to the public. These records, many handwritten in cursive, include veterans’ pension applications, land warrants, personal letters, and even poems from America’s earliest days.
Nancy Sullivan and Suzanne Isaacs, who manage the National Archives Catalog, emphasize the importance of these documents: “We really hope to shed light on the stories of America’s first veterans, who left their lives to fight in the Revolutionary War. Their stories deserve to be digitized and accessible around the globe.”
With over 300 million digitized documents in NARA’s catalog, Isaacs and Sullivan coordinate the efforts of more than 5,000 active citizen archivists who help transcribe these pieces of history into searchable, digital text.
### Becoming a Citizen Archivist
The beauty of the initiative is its simplicity — no formal application or prerequisite skills are required. To participate, volunteers need only create a free account on the National Archives website and select from available projects. Whether you’re skilled in cursive or a complete beginner, there are opportunities for everyone to contribute. Many volunteers even learn to read cursive as they work.
Tasks include more than just transcription. Volunteers may classify, annotate, and organize digitized files. Current projects range from Revolutionary War pension applications to documents from the 1950 U.S. Census. Each transcription unlocks a piece of history that might otherwise remain obscure.
For instance, one volunteer recently uncovered a charming poem written in a Revolutionary War pension application file for North Carolina veteran William Elmore:
*”I thank you for the cherries Madam,
They ‘r the best in all the town;
I’d thank you more for your daughter though,
Whose name is Catherine Brown.”*
This small piece of Americana might have gone unnoticed without the dedication of citizen archivists.
### Why Human Volunteers Are Irreplaceable
With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), one might assume that technology could easily take over the task of transcribing historical documents. However, Sullivan notes that AI still struggles when it comes to deciphering faded ink, smudged pages, or aged cursive script. Programs like those developed by FamilySearch, a genealogical nonprofit, offer draft transcriptions but often require human verification to ensure accuracy.
“There are usually mistakes,” Sullivan explains. “Our volunteers have to compare the extracted text to the original document.”
Ultimately, while AI can assist, human eyes remain the gold standard for preserving historical accuracy in complex, handwritten texts.
### A Growing Need for Accessibility
Why does this effort matter? Transcription makes historical documents more accessible to scholars, historians, students, and the general public. These texts are rich with stories of everyday life, personal struggles, and decisions that shaped the nation.
The Revolutionary War pension records, for example, hold stories of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience from soldiers who never imagined their lives would someday be studied. Their experiences, chronicled in cursive handwriting, offer valuable insights into America’s founding and early development.
Moreover, accessibility extends to modern records. Documents from the mid-20th century, such as the 1950 U.S. Census, provide genealogists and historians with crucial data to reconstruct family histories and societal trends.
### Learn While You Volunteer
Even if you feel under-qualified to read cursive, the program invites you to jump in. Many participants discover a passion for history and find joy in learning cursive from the documents themselves. It’s a unique hands-on experience that builds skills while contributing to an essential project.
Isaacs and Sullivan reiterate that the ability to read cursive isn’t a requirement — only curiosity, patience, and a desire to uncover the past.
### How to Get Started
Becoming a volunteer citizen archivist is straightforward. Here’s how to join the mission to preserve America’s history:
1. Visit the National Archives’ [Citizen Archivist webpage](https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/register-and-get-started) and create a free account.
2. Browse through ongoing transcription or classification projects.
3. Start working at your own pace. You can devote as much or as little time as you like.
Every document