How To/FAQ
Here are some tips for how to find items and navigate the Virtual Archive.
How to search and navigate:
You can use the search bar at the top right to type in a name or word that you want to find. Any words that match the items on the website will be in the results page. You can also use the Advanced Search option by clicked the three dots next to the search bar.
You can look at all of the items through the Browse Items tab and sort them by Title, Creator, or Date Added. To move from one item to the next, click on the Next or Previous links above the title of the item. When using the Next or Previous links, items appear in the order that the Archives uploads them, which means that not all items in a Collection will show up sequentially.
For a more focused look, you can also browse by Collections through the Browse Collections tab. Browsing by Collection can help you find a subject, location, or person who interests you and explore further.
What are Collections?
Collections are groups of related items connected by a shared subject, location, person, or other characteristic. Photos and documents related to the Mother House, for instance, would fall under the "Namur" Collection. The Collections are ongoing and unfinished due to the newness of the Virtual Archives program, but we will update them as more content is digitized.
What are Tags?
Tags are a kind of keyword that are assigned to an item to help organize, describe, and find similar items across Collections. You can click on a Tag and all the items that are assigned that Tag will show up in the results, regardless of Collection.
What is Item Type Metadata?
The Item Type Metadata is further information related to specific characteristics that are unique to the particular type that describes an item. A type, for instance, can be a still image, a moving image, a text, or a sound. Item Type Metadata for a text can be a transcription, for a sound can be duration of the recording, while for a still image can be physical dimensions.
Why are some items in French?
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur made their home in Namur, Belgium in 1809. French was the dominant language there, and therefore many of the early documents and correspondence were written in French. Some of the items on the Virtual Archive are uploaded our archivist in Namur, and will have information written about it in French.
What if I find a mistake on the website?
If you find an error in our information, please let us know! Many times our information is incomplete or we are doing some guesswork and we would like to get the records straight. If you also have a story you want to share, we’re happy to hear it! Visit the Contact Us page to find who you should talk to.