HomeSearch Guide

Search Guide

The Canadian Vichy Intercepts collection offers multiple ways to search and explore 13,847 intercepted diplomatic telegrams. Choose the search method that best fits your research needs.

Quick Search

Use the search box at the top of any page for fast keyword searches across all documents.

Best for: Finding specific names, places, events, or terms

Searches: Full-text OCR content, metadata fields, and tags

Example searches:

  • "Washington" – Find all telegrams mentioning Washington
  • "Pétain" – Locate communications referencing Marshal Pétain
  • "1942" – Find documents from 1942
  • "SECRET" – Find telegrams with SECRET classification

Try it now: Use the search box in the header above ↑

Advanced Search

Use multiple criteria to narrow your search with precision.

Best for: Complex queries combining multiple criteria

Search by:

  • Keywords in specific fields (Title, Description, Subject)
  • Date ranges
  • Item type
  • Collection (by microfilm reel)
  • Tags (locations, classifications, years)
  • Multiple criteria combined

Example combinations:

  • Telegrams from 1942 + tagged "Washington" + containing "armistice"
  • Documents from Reel 17429 + date range 1941-1942
  • Items tagged "Vichy" + containing "diplomatic"

Mor information about the site's advanced search syntax is available on this documentation.

Go to Advanced Search →

Browse by Tags

Explore documents organized by location, classification, year, and topic.

Best for: Exploring thematic groups and discovering related documents

Available tags include:

  • Locations: Washington, Vichy, Ottawa, Algiers, New York, Boston, etc.
  • Years: 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945
  • Classifications: Text, Phonetics (if applicable)
  • Other themes: Diplomatic routes, specific events, personnel

How to search multiple tags: In the Advanced Search page, type tags separated by commas in the "Search By Tags" text field. For example: 1943,washington will find all documents tagged with both 1943 AND Washington.

Browse All Items with Tags →

Browse by Collection (Microfilm Reel)

Explore documents organized by their original microfilm reel.

Best for: Systematic exploration of archival organization

Collections available:

  • Reel 17425
  • Reel 17426
  • Reel 17427
  • Reel 17428
  • Reel 17429

Note: Documents are organized chronologically within each reel, making this useful for studying temporal patterns.

Browse Collections →

Search Tips & Best Practices

Searching with Multiple Tags

To find documents with multiple tags (e.g., both "1942" AND "Washington"):

Method 1: Advanced Search (Recommended)

  1. Go to Advanced Search
  2. Scroll to the "Search By Tags" text field
  3. Type multiple tags separated by commas (and no space), for example: 1942,washington
  4. Click "Search" to see results matching ALL the tags you entered

Method 2: Manual URL Construction

You can create direct links with multiple tags by adding them to the URL separated by commas:

  • https://omeka.uottawa.ca/examination-unit/items/browse?tags=1942,Washington
  • https://omeka.uottawa.ca/examination-unit/items/browse?tags=Vichy,1943
  • https://omeka.uottawa.ca/examination-unit/items/browse?tags=washington,alger,1944

Note: Clicking a single tag in the browse interface will only show documents with that one tag. For multiple tags, use Advanced Search or construct the URL manually.

Understanding OCR Limitations

Documents were processed using OCR technology. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Use wildcards: Search "diploma*" to find "diplomatic," "diplomacy," "diplomat"
  • Check similar terms: "vichy" might also appear as "vlchy"

Effective Search Strategies

For broad exploration:

  • Start with tag browsing to discover document clusters
  • Browse collections to understand archival organization
  • Use simple searches for well-known names and places

For specific research:

  • Use Advanced Search to combine multiple criteria
  • Search by date ranges for temporal analysis
  • Filter by collection (reel) for systematic coverage

For data analysis:

  • Retrieve the raw data from the data repository
  • Use tags to create thematic datasets

Language Considerations

  • Documents are primarily in French
  • Search using French terms for best results
  • Some documents include English translations or summaries
  • Place names may appear in French or English
  • Names of location tags are in French (Algérie and not Algeria, Alger and not Algiers, etc.)