How to Search the Database

How to Search


Image Search: allows searches across a number of image-specific fields. Fields such as ID, collection and medium can be combined.


Collection Search: Select the collection ID and name from the drop-down menus to view related image IDs.


Document Search: Select document type or correspondence, with optional date filtering. Document ID list will be shown.


Search Cheat Sheet (RARI)

Search QueryDescription
CODESA AND constitutionFinds records mentioning both CODESA and constitution.
Interim OR DraftFinds records with either "Interim" or "Draft".
Negotiation NOT CODESAFinds results about Negotiation that exclude CODESA.
"Multi-Party Negotiation Process"Exact phrase search.
symbol*Wildcard for symbol, symbols, symbolic, etc.
ZA CHT CODRecords with Reference Code ZA CHT COD (Convention for a Democratic South Africa).
ZA CHT MPNRecords with Reference Code ZA CHT MPN (Multi-Party Negotiation Process).
"Commission on National Symbols"Phrase search for National Symbols records.
Negative AND "Benjamin Smith"Finds negatives related to Benjamin Smith.
"Phuthiatsana River III"Site entity search (Lesotho example).
"NARSSA"Finds documents and records by the NARSSA.
zebra*Wildcard for zebra, zebras, zebra-like, etc.
frog AND tranceFinds images related to frogs and trance together.
quiver NOT arrowsFinds records about quivers but not arrows.


Tip: Use capital letters for Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) in NARSSA's global search bar.