The Practical Archival Skills Training (PAST) programme offers students a unique opportunity to obtain the skills and knowledge needed to undertake academic research using original records at The National Archives (TNA).
*Please note that this is a one-day workshop on site at The National Archives*
This Modern Legal Records workshop will trace the changes in the criminal justice system in England within the modern period and explore the records created by the superior courts in the administration of criminal justice, from circa 1775 to circa 2000. It will introduce you to the broad sweep of the records held at The National Archives, including Assize records, the records of the Central Criminal Court, records created in the pre-trial and post-trial stages of the criminal justice journey, and the records of the crown courts from 1972 onwards. It will show you how to navigate an archival trail through these collections, and consider some of the methodological, archival, ethical and access issues which can arise in their use. During each session you will receive guidance on a range of archival research skills from our legal records specialists, undertake practical exercises involving hands-on document work, and have plenty of time to examine the records for yourself. At the end of the workshop, you will have increased awareness of the breadth of TNA’s criminal justice holdings for the modern period, as well as improved confidence in your ability to find and use these collections.
This event is aimed primarily at students undertaking postgraduate research, early career researchers, and other researchers who are new to using these records, but other researchers and archivists are also very welcome. This workshop will be investigating complex and demanding archival collections, but you will be supported by expert staff throughout. There are no pre-requisites for attendance.
