Give Back!
As passionate genealogists, we know the incredible joy of uncovering family stories. The thrill of finding a new document or connecting a previously unknown ancestor is deeply satisfying and brings immense fulfillment. We can spend hours engrossed in records, piecing together lives that came before us. And while this can be a wonderfully rewarding experience, it's also often a solitary pursuit, with much of our research happening alone.
But what if there was a way to enhance your genealogy journey, connect with others who share your enthusiasm, and make a tangible difference in the community? That’s where volunteering within the world of genealogy, archives, and historical societies comes in! Far more than just lending a hand, volunteering offers a wealth of benefits that can truly enrich your life.
One of the most significant advantages is the opportunity to connect with like-minded people. Genealogy society volunteers are a diverse group united by a shared passion. Working alongside them fosters a great sense of camaraderie and mutual support. You'll make new friends and find common interests that extend beyond just history, helping you feel part of your local community.
Volunteering also offers fantastic opportunities for personal growth and skill development. You can learn new skills and techniques that can directly enhance your own research. This includes gaining or improving archival and conservation skills. Perhaps surprisingly, many volunteers also learn or improve IT or other work-related skills and gain confidence in the workplace. You might even develop skills like leadership, event planning, or public speaking. For those looking for work, it provides varied work experience and can be a pathway to employment or education. Some volunteers have even pursued advanced degrees based on research opportunities found while volunteering.
Beyond the personal benefits, volunteering allows you to make a meaningful contribution to your community. By supporting genealogy societies, historical societies, and archives, you're actively involved in the preservation and sharing of local history and culture. For many, this is a way of honouring ancestors and ensuring their stories remain accessible. There is a deep sense of satisfaction knowing your work is of value and is helping future family historians. It provides a sense of purpose or confidence and an amazing sense of being part of history itself.
And let's not forget a practical benefit for us researchers: volunteering can directly further your own research interests. You might gain useful access to material needed for your personal research or a much broader perspective of what's contained within an archive or collection.
Getting involved often starts with identifying a local society, archive, or museum that interests you. Research them online, perhaps attend a few meetings to see if it feels like a good fit. When you're ready, simply let their leadership or volunteer coordinator know you're interested. They can tell you about current needs and opportunities. Roles can range from helping with events, membership, and outreach to crucial work like library/archive management, cataloguing, indexing, transcription, and even digitisation. Many organisations now offer remote volunteering opportunities, allowing you to contribute from home.
Volunteering in the genealogy community offers a truly rewarding experience. It's a chance to give back, connect with passionate people, learn valuable skills, and feel the satisfaction of contributing to something deeply meaningful.