By default, a sitewide search will return all results containing the desired term or phrase within either the metadata or a full-text transcript. To further refine results, use the filters on the left-hand sidebar.

Image of the items page with search filters listed to the left.

Applying Filters

Click the down-facing arrow on the right of each filter to view the list of options for each. The number next to the arrow represents the number of options. Make your selections using the checkboxes on the left of each option. Multiple selections can be made. The number in the blue circle next to each filter indicates the number of options selected. Click the blue "Apply" button at the top or bottom of the sidebar when you are ready to refine your search. 

Image of the search filters column with the right hand arrows highlighted

 

Removing Filters

Filters may be removed by manually deselecting the checkbox for each selections. A filter value may also be removed by clicking the small "x" displayed next to each filter value within the "Current Search Criteria" box at the top of the search results page. You can remove all selections within a specific filter by clicking "Clear [filter name]".

Image of the search criteria box with the clear filter button highlighted.

Search Type

This filter allows you to choose whether you would like to search the metadata of items in the catalog and/or full text transcripts of items in the catalog. By default, both metadata and full text are searched.

Date and Date Range

The date filter allows you to filter results based on a date. It must include a year. To add a date range, click the "Add Range" button. This will filter results to include items with dates within that date range.

Collections

This allows you to filter results by collection. See our Collections page for more information.

Document Type

This allows you to filter results by the type of document. For example, you may only want to search only within church registers and exclude all other document types. Selecting "parish or church register" will run this search. See our Document Type page for explanations about each document type.

Diocese

This allows you to filter your search by the Diocese holding the item or that the item is associated with. See our Diocese page for more information.

Churches and Parishes

This filter allows you to filter results by the church or parish that the item belongs to or is associated with. See our  Church or Parish page for more information.

Subject: Person

This allows you to filter results by the person associated with an item. Persons listed here are significant people within their church or parish community. A person is associated with an item when they are the creator or they are mentioned significantly within the materials. See our Subject: Person page for more information.

Subject: Era

This allows you to filter results by era. Eras are significant periods of American history. See our Subject: Era page for more information about eras.

Subject: Theme

This allows you to filter results by theme. Themes are significant topics that have appeared across multiple items in the digital catalog. See our Subject: Theme page for more information.

The Current Search Criteria box tells you what filters you have selected and are applied to your current search. You can use this box to remove filters as detailed above in the "Removing Filters" section. In the top-right of this box there are a series of useful links:

Share Search allows you to copy a URL for your current search. The URL can be shared with others who have access to the catalog.

Save Search will save your current search to your account. See our  My Account page for more information about registering and using a free account.

Clear All will clear all of the filters currently selected.