Volunteer highlights from 2021-2022 include 7,524 hours and an incredible 29,101 entries added to our Online Indexes and 7,411 new catalogue items!
About the Volunteers Program
Become a NSW State Archives Volunteer
If you have a love of history and working with historical documents then becoming a NSW State Archives volunteer may interest you.
In 2001 NSW State Archives established a Volunteers Program to help make the State archives collection more accessible. With an initial intake of 10 people, there are now nearly 60 volunteers working on a variety of important projects which could not otherwise have been undertaken.
Most of the projects involve working with original and digital copies of records. Indexing and listing requires data entry in an Access database, Word or Excel document. Training and supervision is provided.
For a broader experience in working with the records volunteers can be rotated around the various projects including work within the conservation lab.
We have a variety of volunteer projects at present including:
- conservation
- indexing, and
- catalogue listing.
Projects
Conservation
Volunteers working in the conservation section perform a range of tasks which include cleaning, flattening and re-boxing records. This is a very popular program.
Deceased Estate Files (arranged by Duty paid date)
A deceased estate file is created for every individual who dies leaving property or other assets and on whose estate therefore death duties have to be paid. Our volunteers are currently cleaning and rehousing the Deceased Estate Files that are arranged by Duty Paid Date. Once the files have been cleaned and rehoused our Volunteer listing teams list and barcode the files to be added to Collection Search.
Indexing
The volunteer indexing teams are helping to make the archival collection more accessible through our online indexes. The volunteers are currently working on a variety of indexes from Convicts to Soldier Settlers.
Convicts Applications to Marry
This index is to the parties applying for permission to marry including: their names; their ages; the date of permission or refusal; ship of arrival; sentence (for the party who was the convict); whether free or bond and the name of the clergyman. Six of the seven registers have been indexed so far, covering December 1825 to March 1841; August 1837 to February 1851 [4/4508-4511; 4/4513-4/4514].
Dependent Children's Registers
Now complete! This indexing project was undertaken by our remote volunteers. These records relate to children who were admitted to State care. They record where the dependent children were placed (whether with foster parents or guardians). Some of the children were eventually adopted.
Soldier Settlement, Department of Lands
This is quite an involved project as the Soldier Settlement files have not been previously indexed. Volunteers working on this project have produced a guide to the records (available at the WSRC reading room) and are now indexing the records.
Salary Registers, Public Works
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our remote volunteers using digitised copies of the records. These registers cover the period 1854 to 1895. Volunteers working on this project are recording the name, date of appointment, position, date of birth, page number and any remarks, of the Public Works employees listed.
Registers of Officers, Public Works
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our remote volunteers using digitised copies of the records. These registers cover the period 1871 to 1934. Volunteers working on this project are recording the name, date of appointment, position, date of birth, page number and any remarks, of the Public Works officers listed.
Large Stock Brand Cards, Department of Agriculture
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our remote volunteers using digitised copies of the records. These Large stock brand cards cover the period 1923 to 1963. The cards cover New South Wales brands, and are arranged alphabetically, according to name of owner of brand. Volunteers working on this project are recording the name, holding, town, application number and any additional names provided.
Registers of criminal cases tried at Sydney Quarter Sessions (Sydney Deposition books), Clerk of the Peace
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our remote volunteers using digital copies made from microfilm copies of the volumes. These registers cover the period 1839 to 1921. Volunteers working on this project are recording the name of the defendant, where the offence was committed, date of committal, offence, day of trial, verdict, page number, as well as other reference details such as volume and reel number.
Employees' History Cards, Public Service Commission
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our remote volunteers using digitised copies of the records. These Employees' history cards cover the period 1911 to 1968. Volunteers working on this project are recording the name, date of birth and any remarks.
Surviving inquest papers, Coroner
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our onsite volunteers using the physical records. Surviving Inquest Papers covering the period 1916-1939 are listed by inquest number only, with no other information such as name of deceased, date of inquest, where the inquest was held or by whom. This listing project seeks to fill this gap for this period to increase access to and discoverability of these inquest papers.
Apprenticeship Registers, Industrial Relations
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our onsite volunteers using the physical records. These registers cover the period 1924 to 1970. Volunteers working on this project are recording the registration number, date of commencement, name of the apprentice, employers name and trade.
Special bundles: Married Women Teachers Declarations, Public Service Board
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our onsite volunteers using the physical records. These records cover the period 1871 to 1931. Volunteers working on this project are recording the teacher's name, school, husband's name and occupation, address, certificate issue date(s), remarks, as well as reference details.
Articles of Agreement and Accounts for Crews, Shipping Master’s Office
This indexing project is currently being undertaken by our onsite volunteers using the physical records. These records cover the period 1875 to 1922 of crew aboard each vessel arriving in Newcastle. Volunteers working on this project are recording the page number, entry number, names, surname, age or year of birth, where born, occupation, ship, date of agreement place of agreement, date joining, and place of arrival.
Catalogue listing
We are constantly asking ourselves how we can improve public knowledge and use of archival resources.
The catalogue volunteers are helping to answer this question by making archival collections available in our online catalogue. NSW State Archives has an online searching facility allowing users throughout New South Wales, Australia and the world to identify relevant archival resources, often by means of a simple keyword search. The catalogue volunteers create inventories of items that assist the public in finding archives using the keyword search facility. The work of the volunteers further assists NSW State Archives by preserving and allowing greater control over these archives.
Projects are constantly changing and there will always be a story that will be of interest to you and the greater public. Current listing projects include: Deceased Estate Files.
How to become a Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering for NSW State Archives simply fill out the Volunteer Program Expression of Interest form. Please note we have a long waiting list. Vacancies in the program may not arise for some time after you apply as our dedicated team of volunteers remain with us for many years.
Enquiries
For all enquiries about volunteering at NSW State Archives contact the Assistant Officer, Volunteer Program on (02) 9673 1788 or email volunteers@records.nsw.gov.au.
Current volunteers' login
Current volunteers can log into Volgistics here to access VicNet and to view their personal information and shifts.