Using the catalogue

Catalogue search

The Collection is split into photographic images and documents. To quickly look for something in the catalogue

1. select 'Catalogue Search'
2. select the box if you only want to receive information about items where a digital copy exists that you can see on screen
3. type the name of something you are looking for in the blank box
4. click 'search'

If something matches your search, a list of results will be returned describing items relevant to your search.

The results list gives a short description of the items, the date when they were created, whether items are images or documents, and the reference code that you will need to quote in order to consult them. Further information about items can be viewed by clicking on the underlined title.

Browse search

If you are not sure what you are looking for or if you have something very specific in mind, you can select 'Browse Search' where item descriptions have been assigned index terms. This means that you can look through lists of subjects covered in the collection or narrow down your search to a particular marque where there may be more than one subject with the same name, such as 'Daimler'.

Search tips

The Browse Search for the marques series shows what particular vehicle manufacturers made, their dates of existence, and place of operation. This helps to define which marque is being described, particularly when there is more than one with the same name, and provides useful historical context.

Particular terms have been consistently used in the catalogue. When searching, you should type 'trucks' not 'lorries', 'motorcycles' not 'motorbikes', and 'bicycles' not 'bikes'.

Some items have been catalogued as plurals such as 'trams' and 'Austin Allegros'. Searching is very specific so you should therefore use the singular and plural form of a term to ensure that every relevant result is returned.