2026 North Carolina Genealogical Society Paid Internship - NC Cemetery Survey Archival Processing Internship 

Section: Records Description Unit and Public Services Unit
Description: The Summer 2026 NC Cemetery Survey Archival Processing Internship will work with both the Records Description Unit and the Public Services Unit to process and catalog records pertaining to the North Carolina Cemetery Survey. This collection includes legacy materials that require rehousing and improved description and indexing. The collection also includes recent accruals that needs to be processed with the older materials. Materials in this collection include survey forms (some with attached lists of tombstone inscriptions) and United State Geological Survey quadrangle maps. The maps were used by local survey project committees to plot the locations of cemeteries as the data was collected and recorded. The survey data includes specific information on name and location of cemetery, landowner, classification and type of cemetery, number of marked and unmarked graves, and physical condition and characteristics of the cemetery. The survey forms contain information sent in by individuals as well as the local volunteer committees. This collection includes paper and photographic materials.  

The North Carolina Cemetery Survey Project was founded out of the 1978 Abandoned Cemeteries Study Committee, a minimal study operating under the Division of Archives and History to review the state of abandoned cemeteries in the state. In 1984, the study expanded the goal of the project to record vital statistics information from pre-1913 gravesites, including photographs, maps and epitaphs when possible. The project took its new name, NCCS, and was a joint effort between the state and participating counties. County coordinators handled the organization of volunteers filling out survey forms and plotting maps and they tracked the overall progress. The county was meant to keep one copy of the surveys and maps and send one copy to the Archives upon completion.  

As of 2001, ninety-eight of the one hundred counties participated in the NCCS in some way, and most sent material to the State Archives. NCCS progress eventually slowed, though we still accept donation of material from county officials and individuals. This survey material continues to be helpful to patrons, as historic cemeteries are under continuous threat and the information could otherwise have been lost.  

In 2022, Archives staff worked with the Office of Archaeology to scan and organize the survey forms in an effort to map out the gravesites with GIS. The scanning was complete, but further work is expected, especially with new material having been donated to the project. Some of the tentative plans include developing a potential crowd-sourcing project in conjunction with the Office of Archaeology to identify locations of the gravesites in the surveys and their current status. The intern may participate in discussions and meetings regarding this potential intra-departmental crowd-sourcing project and potentially develop content for SANC/DNCR social media platforms that promotes the project.  

The Summer 2026 NC Cemetery Survey Archival Processing Internship is funded thanks to the North Carolina Genealogical Society.

Major Tasks Involved:

• Process (rebox and arrange) the North Carolina Cemetery Survey File (SR.58.53)
• Create and index collection data to AXAEM, SANC’s content management system, and update data that will be reflected in the public catalog
• Develop social media and blog post(s) publicizing the collection and tentative crowd-sourcing project  

Qualifications: Graduate student pursuing MLS, MLIS, MA in Public History, or equivalent 
Estimated hours: 300 hrs total. 30 hrs./week for 10 weeks, May to August 
Able to work remotely? Hybrid

2026 Friends of the Archives Paid Internship - Preventative Conservation

Section: Conservation Unit, Collections Management Branch
Description: The Conservation Unit at the State Archives consists of the Collections Management Branch Head, the Conservator, and the Conservation Technician. The Conservation Unit develops and implements a division preservation program, and liaises with archivists to realize conservation needs, recommending a course of action, and carrying out treatments and creating custom housing as needed. In addition to the treatment of collection material, the Conservation Unit also assesses the condition of collection material for loans and prepares said materials for display and/or transport. The Conservator also responds to inquiries from agencies and the public to offer preservation advice for records and personal or family belongings. The Conservation Unit maintains and operates within the Archives’ Conservation Lab.  

The Conservation Unit is seeking a Summer 2026 Preventive Conservation Intern to assist with collections housing and other preservation and collections care tasks. Our Summer 2026 Intern’s primary project will be to participate in our collections housing workflow, housing incoming conservation requests and contributing to collections surveys that center enclosure creation, such as our ongoing survey of Private Collections scrapbooks. The Intern will learn from the Archives Conservator how to build the following: archival folders, polyester encapsulation, archival 4-flap wrappers, cradles (for conservation purposes and for our Search Room patrons), telescoping corrugated board boxes, corrugated board clamshells, cloth clamshells, and other specialty storage and/or display structures, to the specifications of collection material. The intern will also learn basic conservation techniques with the opportunity to work on a treatment (time permitting) through the Lab and under the direct supervision of the Archives Conservator. Our Summer intern will shadow the Archives Conservator as they engage in preservation and conservation practices, such as collection examination, condition documentation, and treatment. The Preventive Conservation intern will assist with data collection for integrated pest management and environmental monitoring of the Archives, State Record Center, and offsite stacks. The 2026 Preventive Conservation intern will assist with preparation for travelling exhibits.  

The Summer 2026 Preventative Conservation Internship is funded thanks to the Friends of the Archives. 

Major Tasks Involved:

• Intern will be engaged in the construction of custom housing for the Archives’ collections.
• Intern will participate in ongoing condition surveys, as well as supply surveys that center preventive care.
• Intern may elect to learn a basic conservation treatment and/or stabilization and work on collection material selected by the Archives Conservator, walking through condition and treatment, documentation, and contextual research.
• Intern is encouraged to contribute to the Archives’ social media by completing a blog post for the Archives’ blog, History For All the People, and accompanying content for Twitter/ X, Facebook.
• Intern is encouraged to compose and give a presentation about their work at the conclusion of their internship.
   

Qualifications: Seeking an advanced undergraduate, or pre-graduate program, or graduate student with coursework and/or course focus in Library/Information Sciences, Book Arts/Bookbinding, Conservation, Preservation, or a combination thereof. This internship would be suitable for those seeking experience in cultural heritage preservation and conservation. Candidates will be expected to articulate how this internship would contribute to prospective ventures. Previous experience in and/or a strong, demonstrated interest in the handling, care, treatment, or housing of museum, archive, and/or library materials is highly encouraged, as is hand skills from experience or interest in those or related institutions. A meticulous and thoughtful craftsperson who creates work attentive to the details would thrive in this internship, as it necessitates prolonged-period fine motor skills and independent work. This internship also necessitates strong written and oral communication, professionalism, a willingness to request assistance, and openness and initiative to accept and enact advice. The 2026 Summer Preventive Conservation Intern is expected to have and exercise good judgment and adhere to the code of ethics of the American Institute for Conservation: Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice - American Institute for Conservation. 
Estimated hours: 30 hours/week for 10 weeks or 40 hours/week for 7.5 weeks.
Able to work remotely? No.