Past in Practice: NSW Records Masterclass is an immersive three-day program offered by Family History Academy in collaboration with Museums of History New South Wales. Designed for intermediate to advanced family historians, professional genealogists, heritage professionals, librarians and archivists, it combines expert teaching with hands-on use of original records and dedicated research time at NSW State Archives.

The relevance of these collections extends well beyond present-day New South Wales. In the early colonial period, the administration centred in Sydney covered areas that later became separate colonies. Researchers with early connections to Victoria, Queensland and other parts of Australia may therefore find important evidence in NSW records, particularly for the period before separate colonial administrations were established.

Sessions focus on colonial administration, land, court, criminal and other records, particularly material that is not readily available online. The program combines structured sessions with substantial research time, giving participants the opportunity to apply what they learn directly to their own research.