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Thank you for your interest in the challenge. We've already filled all our volunteer spaces for this challenge but please take a look at our other challenges.

Archive Transcriber

This is part of the Royal Small Arms Factory (Enfield) Roll of Honour Project supported by HLF to commemorate the work of the staff at the Royal Small Arms Factory (Enfield) during the Great War.

This project will result in:

(1) a database of staff who worked at the Royal Small Arms Factory during the First World War;

(2) a Roll of Honour of those staff who joined the armed forces, and lost their lives whilst on active service; and

(3) the publication online of interesting stories about individual members of staff.


The record of service of Harry William Carter, from one of three surviving volumes containing details for 1500 staff

Royal Small Arms Factory (Enfield) employed 8,500 men, women and boys during the First World War 

What's involved?

  • You will be part of a small team working with the Archives and Records Manager  
  • Transcribe the surviving records of service of approximately 1500 staff 
  • Research the names of staff using resources such as Ancestry and Find My Past to discover any interesting stories

This challenge can be undertaken on your PC at home, you will be asked to submit work on a regular basis, so that the Archives and Records Manager can monitor progress, and provide and help and assistance.Copies of the staff registers will be provided through Dropbox, together with a blank excel spreadsheet and instructions on how to proceed

You will be invited to attend an induction day at the museum at the beginning of the project.

Why get involved?

  • You will have the opportunity to learn new skills in transcribing original documents, carrying out historical research, and writing entries for the project blog.
  • You will also be offered the opportunity to attend and support other events related to the wider project in Enfield and Leeds.

How to get involved?

You need to be 16 or over to accept this challenge.

Step 1: Sign up or log in to www.royalarmouries.volunteermakers.org/login/

Step 2: Accept the challenge

Step 3: You will be contacted by the Archives and Records Manager and be invited to an induction session (this can be done in person at Leeds, over the phone, or email) ​​

Step 5: Wait to receive your first pages to transcribe, blank excel spreadsheet, and instructions

Step 6: Once you have transcribed some names we shall send you login details to either Find My Past or Ancestry so you can start researching the names off staff

The initial numbers for this project will be limited to six people, with another six to follow - so look out for further challenges soon!

Ideal Skills

  • Archiving
  • Copywriting
  • Research
  • Working independently
  • Test skill

Ideal Interests

  • Archiving
  • Testing interest
  • Local history

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