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Volunteering

We welcome volunteers and really value the contribution they make to our work.

By joining one of our volunteer projects you'll:

  • Help preserve Norfolk’s archives and improve access to our collections
  • Get hands-on experience of working with Norfolk’s archive heritage
  • Improve your skills and knowledge
  • Do something worthwhile
  • Meet other people interested in history

You must be aged 18 or over to volunteer with us.

Volunteers work at the Record Office Tuesdays to Thursdays, generally for half a day per week. We don't usually offer full-time or short-term placements.

We have about 20 regular volunteers. Sometimes you may have to wait for a place to become available.

We cannot currently accept new volunteers or volunteer applications because of the coronavirus pandemic. When circumstances change we will review the situation and update this notice.

In the meantime, why not try our online transcription project?  See details below under Volunteering at King's Lynn Borough Archives.

Current volunteering opportunities

Indexing Norwich building control plans, 1895-1945

Indexing poor law settlement papers

Indexing post 1857 wills

Indexing Norwich birth indexes 1837-1895

Cleaning and repackaging the Hornor Collection of maps, 18th century-20th century

Assisting at education and outreach events

There are also occasional opportunities to help our education and outreach team with events.

Other volunteering opportunities

Other volunteers meet about every six weeks on Wednesday mornings to sew ‘seal socks’ - foam sleeves which protect document seals.

Now and then we recruit people to research and write posts for the NRO blog.

If you're interested in joining the seal sock or research bloggers groups email norfrec@norfolk.gov.uk. You don't need to submit a volunteer application form for these roles.

You can also volunteer with the Unlocking our Sound Heritage project.

Placements and Work Experience

Find out more about our Introduction to Archive Research days and blogging placements.

Volunteering at King’s Lynn Borough Archives

Volunteers based at the King’s Lynn Borough Archives are currently transcribing documents from the Borough’s records, including the hall books, quarter sessions books and medieval charters.

They are also beginning a project to index building control plans for the town, dating from 1883 to c1959.

You can help transcribe the King's Lynn Hall books from home, using our Zooniverse transcription webpage. To find out more, see our blog post about this project.

Our Lynn volunteers also research and write posts for the NRO blog.

Volunteering slots are available on afternoons from Tuesday to Friday.

For information about volunteering at Lynn, email norfrec@norfolk.gov.uk.

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