FreeREG Coordinator Vacancies

Can you help FreeREG grow as a County Coordinator? We have several counties with images and transcribers and a caretaker coordinator following retirements. If you’re familiar with transcribing, organised, supportive and confident with digital tools, this flexible home-based volunteer position is ideal for stepping into the role for the first time.

About the opportunity

FreeREG is part of Free UK Genealogy, a charity providing free online access to millions of family history records so people can discover and share their family and community stories. Our work depends on dedicated volunteers who transcribe and publish historic parish and register records for public benefit.

We are looking for committed volunteers from within the FreeREG/Free UK Genealogy community to take on the role of County Coordinator.

County Coordinators play an important part in helping FreeREG run smoothly. You will support transcribers working on records for your county, help manage the flow of images and data, and act as a key point of contact for both volunteers and researchers.

The role includes:

  • Supporting transcribers who have completed training and helping them with questions or issues
  • Working with archives and photographers to obtain register images
  • Uploading and organising images on the FreeREG Image Server where permitted
  • Recruiting and supporting volunteer transcribers as needed
  • Assigning transcription work and reviewing submissions to help maintain high standards
  • Responding to enquiries and correction requests from researchers and volunteers
  • Making updates or corrections to records where necessary

The role is remote (from anywhere in the world) and flexible, with an estimated commitment starting from 4 to 6 hours per week. Most communication takes place online through email and occasional Google Meet video calls.

At present we have a number of counties where the coordinator has retired and the county is being temporarily managed by a caretaker coordinator. These counties have existing images and transcribers so are a great opportunity for someone to step into the role as a County Coordinator for the first time.

You will be supported by the wider FreeREG and Free UK Genealogy volunteer community, including our training volunteers, existing FreeREG coordinators and the project leadership team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone already familiar with FreeREG who would like to take a more active role in supporting the project and helping preserve accessible family history records for future generations.

How Coordinators help FreeREG

FreeREG relies entirely on volunteers to create and maintain high-quality transcriptions of historic parish and register records. County Coordinators are central to making that work possible.

By supporting transcribers and helping organise the flow of records and images, you will help ensure that valuable historical information becomes freely available online for researchers, historians, and families around the world.

The role also helps maintain the accuracy and consistency of our records. Your support and oversight will help volunteers feel confident and connected, improving both volunteer retention and the quality of published transcriptions.
County Coordinators also help strengthen relationships with archives and photographers, making it possible for FreeREG to continue expanding the range of records available to the public.

Every new set of records published can help someone uncover a family connection, understand their local history, or break through a long-standing research problem. Your contribution will directly support that work and help preserve historical information that might otherwise remain difficult to access.

As Free UK Genealogy continues developing its projects and volunteer community, County Coordinators play an essential role in sustaining and growing FreeREG for the future.

What qualities and experience are required for the role?

We are looking for someone who is organised, approachable, and comfortable supporting other volunteers.

You should have:

  • An interest in family history and experience as a FreeREG/Free UK Genealogy transcriber
  • Familiarity with parish registers, bishops’ transcripts, or nonconformist records
  • An appreciation for the scholarly nature of FreeREG’s work and understanding of the importance of producing, accurate, and authoritative transcriptions. We place greater importance on quality and reliability than on volume.
  • Good computer skills, particularly using internet browsers and spreadsheets
  • Confidence communicating by email and through online meetings
  • Good organisational skills and attention to detail
  • The ability to respond to enquiries in a timely and supportive way

It would be beneficial if you have the ability to attend Google Meet video calls using a computer with a camera and microphone.

To find out more and apply, please email dale.braden@freeukgenealogy.org.uk