This workshop is designed to develop the knowledge and experience of students undertaking research on modern Britain (1782-present). The main focus will be on learning how to use registers and indexes to correspondence generated and received by some of the major departments of state, which are crucial to making best use of nineteenth and twentieth century records.

Day one will focus on developing expertise in finding records in The National Archives and elsewhere. You will learn how best to use the advanced search functionality in Discovery, our catalogue, and what to do when online searches do not return you the results you expect. Other web resources, such as the Cabinet Papers website, will also be introduced.During the afternoon, students will go on to learn about the organisation of registers and correspondence for the Home Office and the Ministry of Health, before an optional practical session in the reading rooms.

The second day will introduce registers and indexes for the Treasury, and the records of the Cabinet and Prime Minister's Office, sets of documents that are of interest not only to economic and political historians, but all researchers due to the influential role of the Treasury in government, defined by its power over public spending, and the importance of the Cabinet and Prime Minister's Office in the mechanics of government. The workshop will end with further practical exercises and an opportunity to present and discuss findings with members of staff and other attendees.

At the end of the course you will have an understanding of how some of the registry systems of the great departments of state work, and how to apply this knowledge to make the most of research using original documents held at The National Archives, and beyond.

This event is aimed at current taught postgraduate and PhD students. The workshop is held over two days on site at The National Archives. Tea and coffee at registration and lunch on both days are provided.

For more information about the PAST programme please see The National Archives' website or email past@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

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Programme

Day 1 (Tuesday 20 February)

09:00 Registration and coffee (provided)

09:30 Welcome and introductions

09:45 Discovery: how to use our online catalogue

10:30 Online resources, databases and catalogues

11:00 Break

11:30 Practical exercises

12:30 Lunch (provided)

13:15 Home Office correspondence and registers

14:45 Break

15:00 Ministry of Health registry systems

16:30 Document ordering for evening session

16:45 Wrap up and feedback

17:00 Optional practical evening session

19:00 End of day one

Day 2 (Wednesday 21 February)

09:00 Treasury registers

10:30 Break

11:00 Records of the Cabinet and Prime Minister's Office

12:30 Lunch (provided)

13:30 Reading room practical I

15:00 Break

15:30 Reading room practical II

16:30 Questions and round-up discussion

17:00 Close