How to use Collections Online for All

Searching the collections

We have to date over 266,000 records online for you to search. If we were to print them all out they would stretch from Norwich to Newmarket in Suffolk. This is unprecedented access to collections.

The simplest way to start exploring the collections is to use pre-selected searches. You will find links on the navigation bar (left) to search for people and organisations, objects and 'things', place names and localities, date and period terms. With these shortcuts you can search by the simple concepts of Who? What? Where? and When? There is one caveat though: because we have so much data these searches can fail (time-out)at busy periods. We suggest you try the advanced search, where you can reduce the scope of your search.

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Search Norfolk Museums collections
Search Norfolk Museums databases with indexes What? Where? Who? When? You can also search for a record by accession number.
Advanced search

Warning: this form of searching may take a little getting used to. When you get to the 'Searching the Collections' page, select the scope of your search - either 'All files' or one collection at a time. Then click the Go! button.

Then select an index and type in a letter (or the start of a keyword, or a keyword) and click the Go! button again. We will then tell you what keyword terms start with your request. You can then choose which of them you wish to use and click the Go! button yet again to actually see the records.

Search all of Cultural Services collections with NOAH
Using NOAH (Norfolk Online Access to Heritage) you can search the combined on-line collections of the whole Cultural Services Department at Norfolk County Council. That is, libraries, museums and record office. NOAH uses a different search strategy, requiring you to type in a keyword to start your search. We will then return records that match your request.
Click here

If you find that we have items in our collections that interest you, you can contact the museum or department responsible for curating them and ask to see them. You can find contact details of museums and study centres by following links from the Home page.

If you are experiencing difficulties using these search facilities, or wish to make a comment, please email us at museums@norfolk.gov.uk

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