- Access Directions
- Archives Resources Kit
- Citing records
- Moving the Concise Guide into Archives Investigator
- Publishing State archives
- Reader's Ticket
- Viewing original records
Access Directions
The State Records Act 1998 establishes a general entitlement to access to State records that are at least 30 years old. Not all such records, however, are open for public access. Some contain information, such as sensitive personal information, that require a longer period of closure. Government agencies assess the records for which they are responsible, including those held as State archives for continuing sensitivity. They are required to make an 'access direction' to open or close the records to public access.
More information on Access Directions
Archives Resources Kit
The ARK is held by 40 community access points across NSW. The majority of access points are libraries. The ARK consists of microfilm copies of our most popular and heavily used colonial records. Included are records to do with convict arrivals, assisted immigrants, births, deaths and marriages, publicans' licences, electoral rolls, naturalisation, returns of the colony ('Blue Books'), land grants, and the wide range of functions of the Colonial Secretary (1788-1825).
Where are the community access points?
Citing records
It is very important to ensure that archives are cited correctly when referring to them in written works and when requesting them from State Records.
See Archives in Brief No. 10 for information on citing records
Moving the Concise Guide into Archives Investigator
The usefulness of Archives Investigator has, until now, been constrained by the fact that the vast amount of information on the 14,000+ series recorded in the Concise Guide is not accessible using the powerful search functionality associated with the new system.
The Concise Guide transfer project will change that. We have decided to add all of the record series from the Concise Guide to Archives Investigator. As this involves a very large number of series, it will take some time, but the results will be worth it. Moving the information into Archives Investigator will allow searching over a much greater percentage of the State archives collection.
The record series entries will have the same level of detail in Archives Investigator as they do in the Concise Guide. They will be linked to the agencies that created them and other entities as appropriate. NRS 2716 and NRS 466 are examples of how these entries appear.
Publishing State archives
If you are considering publishing State archives, either entire documents or extracts from them, you must apply in writing, to State Records to obtain written permission and you must acknowledge State Records as the source of any documents, extracts or quotations.
See Archives in Brief No. 11 for more information on publishing State archives
Reader's Ticket
Before viewing original State archives at WSRC or at one of our regional repositories you will need to be issued with a Reader's Ticket. Any person over the age of 15 years may apply for a ticket.
Apply online for a reader's ticket
Viewing original records
Original State archives are stored at the Western Sydney Records Centre (WSRC), Kingswood. They are available to view in the reading room at the WSRC. We do not transfer State archives between offices.
See information on planning a visit