Subj : Copying my family history
To   : TOM WALKER
From : JAY EMRIE
Date : Sat Sep 24 2005 10:00 pm

TW>JE>For some time now I have been contemplating somehow copying the book I
TW>JE>have of my family history. My ancestor came to Newbury, Mass. in
TW>JE>1635. This book was published in 1890. It is just shy of 2" thick and
TW>JE>6"w x 9"h, some 610 pages plus about 15 preface pages. I would like to
TW>JE>make CDs of this book for the rest of my family. As far as I know this is
TW>JE>the only copy still extant. As such it can't really be shared with the
TW>JE>younger members of my family. Other than a first cousin (about 5 years my
TW>JE>elder) I am the oldest surviving member of the Emrie family.

TW>JE>I have not been able to open it up and scan the pages - it just will not
TW>JE>open up enough to lay the pages flat enough to scan with my flat bed
TW>JE>scanner. The book was rebound sometime in the early 1900s - maybe about
TW>JE>1930. The pages are easily torn. Tis a good thing the paper was of
TW>JE>excellent quality when printed. I would like to make CDs of the book,
TW>JE>thus being able to share it with my entire family.

TW>JE>Does anybody have any idea how I might accomplish this?

TW> I would suggest a good Quality Digital Camera, 6 Megapixel or more. to
TW> take a picture of each page. That should be easier then flat bed
TW> scaning as you will not have to lay the Book Flat. With soem
TW> experiementation you nshould be able to get a good picture with the
TW> book opened a litle more then 89 Degrees .You would have to build soem
TW> sort of a Fixture to hold the book open with the page reasonably flat.
TW> And shoot the pictures i nRAW of Uncompressed JPG.
TW> Raw mode shots of course would eventuly need to be converted to jpg.

If worst comes to worst, I'll try using my 8.0 Mp Nikon digital.
Jean Parrot has offered his hand held scanner. This probably will be the
best choice as they usually come with stitching and text reading
capabilities.

Jay

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