Archival Records, Correspondence Files - Public Record Office Victoria

Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is the archive of the State Government of Victoria, preserving records of local and state significance. PROV engaged Punchy Studio to create an educational video to address the communication challenge of explaining how to navigate complex archival systems from the 19th and 20th centuries. The brief was to define correspondence files and guide researchers through the process of using historical registers and indexes to locate specific documents. We produced an informative animated explainer video that uses historical aesthetics and clear visual demonstrations of record-keeping books to demystify the archival search process. Our approach focused on practical research skills, explaining how to use unique sequential numbers and subject indexes to find insights into government decision-making. The video is deployed on the PROV website and within their digital catalogue as part of a series designed to assist historians and genealogists. By combining professional scripting, custom animation, and a clear voiceover, we provided a vital resource for accessing Victoria’s rich public history. Detailed motion graphics reinforce the importance of reading the catalogue about sections, providing a clear starting point for any successful archival search.