MemoryBC Organization
MemoryBC is split into five main areas of information:
- Archival Descriptions
- Names of Creators and Very Important Entities
- Repositories
- Subjects
- Places
Browse MemoryBC
If you want to browse all the descriptions of archival materials, start at the Archival Descriptions page, https://www.memorybc.ca/informationobject/browse?topLod=0. If you only want to browse top level descriptions only, you can do that at the Archival Descriptions page as well, https://www.memorybc.ca/informationobject/browse.
You can also browse the names of creators, and very important entities associated with the creators or materials, on the Names page, https://www.memorybc.ca/actor/browse.
Finally, you can also browse Subjects at https://www.memorybc.ca/taxonomy/index/id/35 and Places as well, at https://www.memorybc.ca/taxonomy/index/id/42.
Once you find something you want to know about, look for the repository, which is the institutional member, who holds that material. Contact them directly on their Institutional profile page. You can see all the Institutional members who use MemoryBC, and view their profile at https://www.memorybc.ca/repository/browse.
Search MemoryBC
There are many ways to search MemoryBC.
Overall Search Tips
- Make sure you have spelled the terms correctly, as MemoryBC doesn't work like Google, where it will fix spelling, etc.
- If you can't find your word or term, put it in quotes and try again. For example, "dog" or "Prince Rupert".
- You can also use an asterisks, *, for a wild card. For example, miner* will also find miners and any other word with 'miner' in it.
Top Search Bar
- You can do a global search of all five categories on MemoryBC, by using the top search bar that is at the top of every web page.
- Once you put in the words or phrase, a drop down menu will appear, if your word or phrase is found. This drop down will show the categories where the word or phrase was found, such as Archival Descriptions, Names, Subjects, Places and Repositories. Click on the item that interests you.
- An Advanced Search for Archival Descriptions is available in the top search bar. Many will access this, by activating the wheel icon and arrow and choosing Advanced Search.
Specialized Search Areas
- On all five of the category pages, there are simple or advanced search areas.
- On the Archival Description page, there is an Advanced Search option drop down search interface. Here one can search for words or phrases, specify dates, etc.
- On the Names page, there is a simple search area, and an Advanced Search option drop down search interface. Here one can search for words or phrases, specify dates, etc.
- On the Repositories page, there is a simple search area, and an Advanced Search option drop down search interface.
- On the Subjects page, there is a simple search area.
- On the Places page, there is a simple search area.