You may have a number of questions for us before you take part in the project. We hope that the following will give you the answers you need.
More detailed information is given in our Notes on the Parish Boundaries project pdf. Please get in touch if you have any further questions.
1. How can you get involved?
Get in touch with us via our contact page.
Tell us which parish you wish to survey.
Tell us your group name (Local history or archaeological society for example)
We will send you login details so that you can enter the results of your survey into our database. The database is accessed from this website.
2. What is involved in taking part?
Choose a parish that you wish to survey.
Download our Feature record sheet, Summary sheet and Guidance notes.
Record details of features, such as hedges, bridges, rivers, roads etc, along your chosen parish boundary.
Enter your record into our Parish Boundaries database. This is accessed from this website and you can do this once we have sent you your login details.
3. Must you belong to a group?
It is not necessary to belong to a group. However it is probably easier for such a survey to be done by a group of people rather than by individuals. We will issue you with a group identifier if you do not give us a group name.
4. What are you being asked to record?
The Feature record sheet outlines the items we would like you to record for each feature that you note along the boundary. This data is that which should be entered into the database. These items are:
- Parish
- Adjacent parish
- The type of feature being described – there is a list to choose from.
- The boundary type – there is a list to choose from.
- Grid references – Use the full twelve-figure numeric reference NOT the alphanumeric version. For example write 440920. 343610, not SK40920.43610. Keep eastings and northings separate.
- Altitude
- Species per 30m when recording hedges.
- Feature age – there is a list to choose from.
- Flora
- Description of the feature
- Historical notes
5. What maps do you need?
You will need a suitable map for your survey. A 1:25,000 scale map is available free to download from the O.S. site, but you may also need to see a large-scale map, say at 1:10,000 or 1:2,500 scale.
There are three types of parish boundary – ancient, modern civil and modern ecclesiastical. Your parish boundary may be one or more of these. Only the modern civil parish is registered against the national grid and we suggest you use this as your reference map.
6. Do you need to know all the information that is asked for a feature?
The information that must be recorded for a feature is:
- Parish
- Adjacent parish
- The type of feature being described
- The type of boundary
- Grid references
- Description of the feature
All the other information on the record sheet will be useful for the project if you are able to provide it. Please make every attempt to give this information where possible.
7. Do you have to record the whole parish?
Survey as much of the parish as you are able. If you can provide only a limited survey then this will be useful. All information provided by those doing the survey will add to the picture of parishes in the East Midlands.
8. Is there a time limit?
There is no time limit. This is a long term project. You may conduct your survey in stages and at a pace that suits you.
9. How do you enter data into the database?
You will be issued with a username and password that will enable your group to login to the ‘Feature’ page. You can then enter your features into the database.
The Feature page is designed so that it has the same items as the Feature record sheet to allow you to transfer the information to the database. If you have a suitable device with web access when you are out in the field, then you can record your features straight into the database via the ‘Feature’ page.
10. Once you have entered a feature into the database can you make changes to it later?
Yes, you can do this from the ‘Edit Feature’ page. You can select the feature and then edit it. This means that you can add information or make changes.
You cannot delete a feature. Please contact us if you require a feature to be removed from the database.
11. Can you view the database entries?
Yes, you can do this from the ‘View Features’ page. This allows you to select a parish and view the data entered so far.
12. What are the reference codes for parishes and features?
You will see codes on the website referring to parishes and adjacent parishes (3 letter codes), group names ( 3 letter codes) and feature reference numbers.
You are not expected to know what these codes are. When you enter your data into the database the codes are allocated automatically and are displayed for you.
13. What is the Summary sheet for?
The Summary sheet is provided to record general information about the parish and the survey that may be of use when the project is finished. We ask that you complete this when you have completed your parish survey.
14. Can images be entered into the database?
If you find features that are of particular interest, then please take photographs. We are constantly adding facilities to the web site to enhance the project and expect to add the means to store photos in the database in due course.
Finally, if you have any problems relating to the project then please contact us and we will do our best to help.