Volunteer Opportunities

From processing Missouri's state and local records to facilitating access to those same records, volunteers are essential to the work of the Missouri State Archives, allowing the Archives to fulfill its mission of preserving and making available the state's permanent records. Volunteers are a valuable resource to the Missouri State Archives and we work with volunteers to provide opportunities that suit their interests and skills.

Areas of Interest

eVolunteers

The Missouri State Archives has operated a successful eVolunteer program since 1999. eVolunteers work from home indexing and/or transcribing records which are then made available online. Some eVolunteer projects, including the current Death Certificate Project, are completed through a web-based portal.

eVolunteers Login (Death Certificate Indexing)

From The Page Projects

The Missouri State Archives is utilizing From The page Indexing software to index ledger style records. For questions about how to use From The Page email [email protected]. Current projects:

County Tax Lists

St. Louis Criminal Court Index Cards

Research

Each month the Missouri State Archives welcomes hundreds of visitors to the Reference Room and receives more than six hundred requests for genealogical information by mail and e-mail. Volunteers assist researchers with general reference questions, use of finding aids, materials and microfilm viewers; reshelf and straighten books; make photocopies for researchers; answer telephone when necessary; research microfilm records and printed material in response to inquiries; and other miscellaneous tasks.

Projects

Volunteers assist Missouri State Archives staff with the arrangement and description of state records of permanent and historical value in order to provide better access to the records of the State of Missouri. Projects may include both paper records and visual materials, such as photographs, negatives, or slides. Volunteers may flat-fold materials; remove foreign objects (staples, papers clips, etc.); label folders; create lists of folders; and other tasks.

Current projects that require processing and preparation before they are imaged and indexed:
The Death Certificate Project (begins every January)

Tours

Every spring Missouri students attend Archives Alive! performances and tours at the Missouri State Archives. Docents assist staff by leading tours of the lobby, the stacks, the reference room, and famous Missourians.

These projects require many different talents and skills and are integral to the operation of the Missouri State Archives. Volunteers ensure a higher quality of service for all our researchers. In addition, volunteers meet new people, gain proficiency in history and research, and take part in preserving Missouri's fascinating history. The Missouri State Archives provides orientation, training, and supervision to all volunteers.

Internships

The Missouri State Archives accepts for-credit internships for undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in history and archives. Please check with your academic institution to determine their internship requirements.

If you are interested in these or any opportunities, please contact the Missouri State Archives.

Missouri State Archives
600 West Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102
P. O. Box 1747
Telephone: (573) 751-3280
Fax: (573) 526-7333
E-Mail:[email protected]