Search Tips

The following are some useful tips that will help you search BT Archives more effectively:

Terminology

FindingNumber: this denotes the physical location of the records. Records of series level and above do not have finding numbers as they are theoretical groupings of records. This is the number to be used when referencing or locating a document.
CEObjectNumber: this is a reference number applying only to objects.
ContextRef: this denotes the context of the record. It is a theoretical construct and may bear no relation to the finding number. The contextref is used to build the context diagram (see below for an explanation).
Context Diagram: the diagram is often also known as a tree or hierarchy structure . The aim is to give the records a context. It often reflects the provenance of a record and how it fits into the creator organisation.
Name and place authorities: authorities are a form of indexing. All catalogued records are linked to relevant name and place authorities. A name authority may be an individual or a corporate. A place authority will only be nations or dependent states outside of the United Kingdom.
Record type: can only be collection, component, book, photograph (which includes film) or object.

Catalogue Search

The catalogue search will allow you to search through the descriptions of many of the records held at BT Archives. Cataloguing is an ongoing process, meaning that the catalogue is continually being added to. Please contact us if you cannot find what you are looking for.

You can search the catalogue by anytext, finding number, title, date or by record type. Record type can be collection, component, book, photograph (which includes film) or object.

Enter a search term in one of the boxes. If you have more than one term in the same field use the word options. Choose "phrase" to search for records with the terms as a phrase; "and" for records containing both words; or "or" for records with either one or the other of your search terms. If you have more than one term in different fields use "and" or "or" as with the field options.

To extend your search term you can use a wildcard search. To do this use the asterisk symbol (*). If you type the term "tele*" the search will bring up anything with the terms "telephone", "telegraph", "telecommunications" etc.

Once you have entered your search term(s) click the search button to start the search process.

People/Organisations Search

The people/organisations search allows to you to search individuals and organisations associated with the records. They are linked to the records within the catalogue.

You can search for people or organisations by anytext.

Countries Search

The countries search allows you to search for nations and dependent states outside of the United Kingdom associated with the records. They are linked to the records within the catalogue.

You can search for countries by anytext.

Results List

For a catalogue search the results list will be displayed listing the finding number, CEobject number, title, date and context reference for each of the records containing your chosen search term. For a people/organisations search the code and authority entry will be shown and for a countries search the code, placename and area.

To sort by another field click on the field title link above the list.

The number of pages of results is shown. You can move along the pages of results by clicking Next or last page etc.

To view the details of an individual record click the record details link to the right of the record.

Catalogue Entry

The record view shows you the catalogue entry for individual records.

For a catalogue search the findingnumber/CEobjectnumber is the reference number that should be quoted when requesting or referencing a record. It denotes its physical location. Record entries at series level and above do not have finding numbers as they are not physical records, rather a thoretical grouping of connected records.

For a catalogue search the hierarchical context is shown above the record. The highest level for a record is fonds, followed by sub-fonds, series, sub-series, file and item. Not all fonds will contain all levels.

For a catalogue search the contextref is the reference number alloted to a record to expain where it fits in the hierarchy of a collection of records. To see the other records within the hierarchical context for your chosen record click the contextref link. The results of a people/corporate or countries search will not have contextref and therefore it is not possible to create a context diagram for these records.

Context Diagram

The context diagram shows you the hierarchical context for your chosen record, i.e. where your record sits within its family. You can move to other associated records by clicking on the context reference. The context diagram or tree can be expanded or reduced to show the other layers.

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If you require any further help with searching the catalogue or would like to comment on the catalogue search itself please contact us.