ARCHIVEGRID

How do I get more search results?

To expand your search, put an upper-case OR between your keywords. For example, dust OR bowl retrieves records containing either dust or bowl.

How do I make my search more specific?

Put quotes around your keywords to find records with an exact phrase. For example, "dust bowl" retrieves records with the words dust and bowl together).

What is a proximity search?

That is when you decide how close together you want your keywords to be in search results. Simply put a ~ and a number between 1 and 4 at the end of your exact phrase to tell ArchiveGrid how many other words are allowed to separate your keywords. For example, "dust bowl"~4 retrieves records where dust and bowl appear within four words of each other.

What are finding aids?

Finding aids are records that describe collections and what they contain. People who work at an institution that owns collections write the finding aids, and the institution contributes finding aids to ArchiveGrid. We provide links to websites for the departments which manage their institution's finding aids, so you can contact them when you read a finding aid and want more information about something inside the collection that interests you.

What is the difference between archives, manuscripts and special collections?

An archive typically stores and preserves material created by its parent institution, while manuscripts and special collections typically store and preserve rare materials and donated collections. Please explore our website to learn more about the world of archives!