Descriptor search
The descriptor search allows you to search all the collections in the archives for standardised terms. The standardised keywords fall into the following categories («thesauri»): Personen (persons), Orte (places) and Sachen (objects). The Sachen category consists of content-related keywords that are only assigned during the detailed cataloguing of image content.
The descriptor search is suitable for obtaining precise results from any of the collections, e.g. when searching for a specific person. You can also begin with a full text search and then click on a descriptor in a unit of description (such as a dossier or individual document) in order to obtain all further search results for this person.
When searching for a specific person, ideally you should already know their exact name and their dates of birth and death. Searching for a specific person only works if you enter the name according to the exact procedure explained below. For the other searches, you can simply enter the place (Ort) or the keyword you are looking for.
Searching with descriptors for persons
- Select «Descriptor search» on the «Search» menu in the archives catalogue.
- In the drop-down menu «Thesaurus», select the entry «Personen».
- Enter the name in the following order in the field «Name».
- Order: «Surname, given name(s) (year of birth-year of death)» à example: Haller, Albrecht von (1708-1777).
- Some of the details can be replaced by a percentage sign. This is recommended if you are unsure of the precise details such as the exact order or spelling of given names or exact dates of birth and death.
- For example: Haller%1777.
- Click on «Search».
From a unit of description to the other results for the person
- In the detail view of the unit of description, scroll down to the «Weitere Angaben» (other details) section.
- Click on the small symbol with the document and magnifying glass on the left next to the name.
- You will obtain all the units of description that are linked to this descriptor.
From a unit of description to a person’s biography
- In the detail view of the unit of description, scroll down to the «Weitere Angaben» (other details) section.
- Click on the small symbol with the document and exclamation mark on the left next to the name. A window will open with the person’s biographical details.