Searching Indexes and Databases on Our Web Site
This guide has been developed to assist researchers in locating records, images and other resources related to Emily Carr held by the BC Archives.
• Fonds Descriptions
A fonds consists of the whole of the records created and/or accumulated by a single records creator. It can include records in all media and from all catalogues at the BC Archives. A search of this index is a useful starting point for determining the major collections of original records relating to Carr.
To Search: Step 1: Click on Fonds Descriptions. Step 2: Type “emily carr”. Enter or click on Start Search. A list of at least five items will be displayed. Click on the page icon or number on the left-hand side to view the full display. Note the numbers at the top of the display. Archives staff can explain what these numbers mean and how to use them.
• Textual Records
Contains records organized by accession, some of which have been described at the fonds level (see above).
To Search: Step 1: Click on Textual Records. Step 2: Type “carr emily”. Enter or click on Start Search.
Click on Next to advance to the rest of the results. To view the full display of any item click on the page icon or number on the left-hand side. Collections with more than one box of material will have a detailed finding aid allowing you to identify boxes or microfilm reels are of interest. Microfilm is available on a self serve basis in the Reference Room. Other material must be requested by using call slips at the Retrievals Desk, one per box (maximum of four at a time).
• Visual Records
These can be divided into two groups: photographs of and art works by.
To Search for Photographs: Step 1: Click on Visual Records. Step 2: Type “emily carr” and hp? Enter or click on Start Search. As with the Textual Records search, only ten items at a time will be displayed. Click on Next to advance to the rest of the results. To view the full description as well as a thumbnail image click on the page icon or number on the left-hand side. Double-clicking on the thumbnail image will produce a larger version. To retrieve only portraits of Carr (rather than group photos or photos of her animals) search on “emily carr” and portraits. To limit your search to only those photograph descriptions with images attached, use the “Only Match with Images On-Line” option in the "Change Search Method?" box.
To Search for Images of Paintings and Drawings: Follow the same instructions as above for photographs but enter carr and pdp? in Step 2. There are in excess of 1,100 works described with almost 1,000 online images.
• Library
The library consists of published material and includes descriptions (catalogue entries) of books, pamphlets and journal articles.
To Search for Published Material: Step 1: Click on Library. Step 2: Type “carr emily”. Enter or click on Start Search. Ten results at a time will display. As explained above, click on Next to view more results. Clicking on a number or page icon on the left will provide a full display of the selected item.
Reference Material
In the Photo Reference Room can be found three boxes of photocopied material relating to Emily Carr. Also located in this room are portrait files and binders with slides and black and white photographs of many of Carr’s works.
Use the Vertical Files microfilm in the Reference Room for copies of newspaper clippings about Carr (reel 25; frames 1568-2373).
Internet Sources
In addition to the records at the BC Archives the following web sites may also be of interest. Access is not available at the Archives.
Emily Carr House