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Our Collections / Photograph Collection

How to Search the Photo Collection

Basic Search

basic search of our photo collection is available. In order to conduct advanced searches as described below, please enter our catalog system.

To begin a search, type one or more words into a search box. Two search options are available: Literal, which returns results that exactly match the entered search terms, and Fuzzy, which returns a broader range of results that includes misspellings, alternative spellings, and partial words. Keep in mind that your search is limited to only those items for which information is available. Not all items contain data in all fields so vary your search fields for best results.

Search results appear in two options:

  1. Record View a list of thumbnail images with Title, Reference Code, City/Town and Decade visible;
  2. Album View with thumbnail images and titles visible.

Click on a thumbnail to zoom in on the image. Click on the title of the item for more information and larger images.

Advanced Search

This video tutorial shows how to search the JDC photo collection using our catalog system. It is followed by additional search tips.

Search all fields
Enter your search term into this field to search all available data in the record including: Title, Description, Dates, Subjects, Locations, Photographer, Reference Code, and other fields. Using this field will provide the largest results. For best results use Boolean logic terms OR, NOT, AND. The search defaults to AND between search terms. Results are returned in numerical order by reference code. To expand your results try using keywords and not whole phrases.

     Examples:
     Passover OR Germany
     Children AND Sports

Keyword
Entering your search term in this field will search all descriptive data available in the record.

Subjects
Click on the magnifying glass to the right of the search field to browse an alphabetic list of our subject index, including topics such as: Children at Play, Health Services, Religious Ceremonies and Holidays. A full list of all available terms can be found here.

Location
Enter a city, a town, a country, a region, or a province. Historic names, alternate spellings, and modern names can be used interchangeably.

Date
Browse by year (yyyy).

Decade
Browse an entire decade of photographs. Example: 1940 [NOT 1940’s or 1940s]

Creator (Photographer)/Agency
Enter the photographer’s (or photo agency’s) name in the search box to browse by photographer. A full list of creators included in the JDC Archives is available here.