HOW DO I SEARCH ?

There are currently 3 ways to search the on-line database. To search the main archives catalogue you must click on the 'Archives Search' button. To find information about a person or company you can click on the 'Name Search' button to search the Authorities records, and to find information about a particular place use the 'Place Search' button.

Name & Place searching - These files identify people (individuals, families, companies and other organisations) by name and places (by site, building, street, parish / town and county). Each authority record contains “potted” information on the person, firm or place in question, AND link to records indexed to these authorities. The authority files therefore serve both as a database of historical and other information, and as a search route for indexed references to specific people, firms and places.

Use combination searches (using several fields in the dialogue box) to interrogate the database for information.

The use of wildcards (especially ' * ' ) is recommended.

You can enter your search terms in either upper or lower case. This will not have any effect on your search.

Sorting the carpet design papers

ARCHIVES SEARCH

The search page for 'Archives Search' contains one field with the title 'Any Text'. You may enter any combination of words in this field to make your search. The 'Combine words in fields' options should be used carefully to construct the most helpful search.

Combine words in fields 'and / or / phrase'

The 'Combine words in fields' option is set to 'phrase'. This will search for text in the exact order that you have entered it into the field. For example a search for 'Brintons factory map' will find records that contain that exact phrase. This option is helpful for searching for personal names where an exact combination of christian and surname is being sought.

When the 'Combine words in fields' option is set to 'and' you will find all entries in the database, which include all of the words that you have entered into the field. For example, a search for 'Brintons factory map' will find all records that include the words 'Brintons' and 'factory' and 'map' in them. This will help you to narrow your search.

When the 'Combine words in fields' option is set to 'or' you will find all entries in the database for any word entered into the field. For example, a search for 'Brintons factory map' will find all occurrences of the words 'Brintons' or 'factory' or 'map'. This will help you to widen your search.

NAME SEARCH

AuthorityEntry field - The authority entries consist of several elements – surname, forenames, dates (birth/death or “floruit”), and epithet (e.g. Worth; William Henry (1831-1848); Carpet manufacturer in Kidderminster) – and any word or term in this string will be picked up by a search in the “authority entries” field (i.e. not just names, but epithet words like architect, designer can be searched too). It’s best to enter only one word (unless you can be sure that more than one word will appear in exactly the same form and order as a phrase).

AnyText field – use this field if you’re unsure whether the word or name you want will occur in the “authority entry” string – the search will locate it in any text field. Again, best to enter one word only.

Dates field – offers sophisticated date searching and recognizes a range of date formats (e.g. c.1850, 1829-1832, 29 January 1876, 1960s).

As with the other search pages, you many enter any combination of words in this fields to make your search. The 'Combine words in fields' options should be used carefully to construct the most helpful search (see 'Archives Search' for a detailed description of how these features work).

PLACE SEARCH

PlaceName field - is the specific identifier (e.g. Piano Building, Slingfield Mill).

AnyText field - use this field if you’re unsure whether the word or place you want will occur in the “authority entry” string – the search will locate it in any text field. Again, best to enter one word only.

Notes field - this is helpful for finding references in the “database” part of the authority file, i.e. historical information on people and companies associated with a site of building, key dates and so on.

As with the other search pages, you many enter any combination of words in this field to make your search. The 'Combine words in fields' options should be used carefully to construct the most helpful search (see 'Archives Search' for a detailed description of how these features work).

SEARCH RESULTS

The results of your search will appear as a hit list displaying 25 results to the page. The hit list shows the catalogue's title, but does not contain the full description of each record. Use the [First], [Previous], [Next] and [Last] tags at the bottom of the page to move backward and forward through pages in the hit list.

The search results also can be sorted into alpha-numeric order by clicking on a column heading.

To view the full description of any item just click on the 'hit' number to the left of the required item. This will take you to a detailed description of the item at its appropriate level.

You can 'specialize' a search by searching within a specific collection. Using some of the company or book reference numbers, examples of which are detailed on the Search page, you can aim your search to the correct area of the archive catalogue and hence narrow down the results.
i.e. If you enter 'GTW' in the 'RefNo' field - AND - 'Clensmore' in the 'AnyText' field, the search would be aimed at results with 'Clensmore' mill in the Greatwich (GWT) collection.

WILDCARD SEARCHING

Using the asterisk symbol ( * ) acts as a wildcard and will search for any word containing the characters entered before the ( * ). For example a search for ' catholic* ' will find catholic, catholics and catholicism.

RECORDS ON RESTRICTED ACCESS

The Online Catalogue will not display records that are on restricted access. A 'Closed Until' notice or an 'Access Conditions' field that defines the reason for the restriction may sometimes accompany these records.

Records that are displayed with the term 'Closed' in the 'Access Status' field are on restricted access and may not be available for viewing in the Archives Centre's reading room. They may be closed because of statutory restrictions, data protection legislation or specific closure periods made at the request of a depositor of records.

ORDERING DOCUMENTS

Finally, if you have found documents that you would like to view, make sure that you note their reference numbers, which are their unique identifying number that we need to locate them.

Use the 'Contact Information' button on the navigation bars at the top of the screen for information on how to contact us.
Please note that it is necessary to make an appointment to visit the Archives Centre.

© The Museum of Carpet