Using the eCatalogue
Searching
Text search
The text search defaults to ‘description and title’ which searches for the text you have entered within both of these fields. You can change this if you wish to search in description only or title only.Match ALL words
The search also defaults to match ALL words which will find entries containing all the words entered in any order. For example, an ALL words search using ‘housing executive’ would find PRONI reference D2704/A/5/11:
The search also defaults to match ALL words which will find entries containing all the words entered in any order. For example, an ALL words search using ‘housing executive’ would find PRONI reference D2704/A/5/11:
This policy statement, authorized by the Executive Committee, set out Northern Ireland Labour Party's aims and policies, on agriculture, land, fisheries, minerals, water, industry, transport, housing, education, health, legal aid, and recreation facilities.
You can change this to match any word or match phrase.
Match ANY word
Match any word will find entries containing any of the words entered.
Match any word will find entries containing any of the words entered.
Match phrase
Match phrase will find entries containing words in the exact order entered. For example, a Match phrase search using‘ housing executive’ would NOT find PRONI reference D2704/A/5/11 (see above) but would find PRONI reference HLGP/4/2:
Match phrase will find entries containing words in the exact order entered. For example, a Match phrase search using‘ housing executive’ would NOT find PRONI reference D2704/A/5/11 (see above) but would find PRONI reference HLGP/4/2:
Northern Ireland Housing Executive meetings: Ministry and Executive, 1971-1974.
Wildcard
* is a wildcard. You can use this at the end of text if you are unsure of the spelling. For example, Tand* would find results for Tanderagee, Tandragee, etc. Please note that * must be the last character in a word.
* is a wildcard. You can use this at the end of text if you are unsure of the spelling. For example, Tand* would find results for Tanderagee, Tandragee, etc. Please note that * must be the last character in a word.
Date search
You can search using a single date or a date range. When using the date search, the minimum requirement is a 4 digit year. This can be made more specific by selecting a month or a month and day.PRONI Reference search
You can search using a PRONI reference number. You can either input a full PRONI reference number or part of the reference plus the wildcard (*).Search Results and display
The fields in the search results include PRONI reference, date(s), title/description, item indicator and a view option. If the item indicator is ‘Y’, the entry describes an individual document or volume which is orderable in the PRONI Search Room. Item indicator 'N' is not an orderable level.The search results displayed default to sort by PRONI Reference number. You can change this to sort by ascending date.
The number of results per page defaults to 10 but you can choose to display up to 50 results per page.
How the results are displayed
Each catalogue entry is made up of seven fields:
Each catalogue entry is made up of seven fields:
| Repository | Name of institution (e.g. PRONI) |
| PRONI Reference | Unique to a particular item or level |
| Level | Archives can be sub-divided into related areas or topics which in turn can be further sub-divided. These divisions are classified using international cataloguing terms such as Fonds, Series, File or Item. Items are the lowest level of an archive, e.g. usually an individual document or volume. Please note that only items can be ordered on-site. |
| Access | Indicates whether the actual record is open or closed to the public on-site |
| Title | The title of the catalogue entry (which may be a shortened version of the description) |
| Dates | Either a single date or date range |
Navigating the results
You can see the full catalogue description for any search result by selecting ‘view’. You can navigate search results via the search results overview and the search results detailed view.
You can see the full catalogue description for any search result by selecting ‘view’. You can navigate search results via the search results overview and the search results detailed view.
PRONI reference numbers are grouped together in alphabetical order. To look for a particular archive select the appropriate initial letter of the PRONI reference number from the A – Z menu. You can navigate from page to page of the browse results to find the archive you are looking for using the first, previous, next and last buttons. For example, to browse the Board of Guardians archive, select B from the A – Z menu, then select BG from the browse results.
If a reference number is blue and underlined, this indicates there are further levels of the catalogue below. When you open an underlined PRONI reference, the catalogue tree for this archive is displayed above the browse results. You can navigate through an archive using the catalogue tree and/or the browse results.
If a reference number is grey and not underlined, this is the lowest part of the tree currently available. If the item indicator is ‘Y’, the entry describes an individual document or volume which is orderable in the PRONI Search Room. Item indicator 'N' is not an orderable level.
