Access to Orkney’s rich heritage easier than ever as Museum and Archive Services launch online catalogue

Date: 6 August 2024

Time: 10:00

Museums Online Local Authority Old Books 640

Access to Orkney’s rich cultural heritage is now available at the touch of a button thanks to the launch of a new online portal by the Council’s Museum and Archive Services.

This portal enables access to search both Orkney Museum and the Archive’s catalogues, including records relating to objects from the archaeology and social history collections, historic texts, local printed materials, historic photographs and sound archives.

This joint catalogue contains more than 100,000 records and is a window into the history and culture of Orkney from the Mesolithic to the present day and illustrates Orkney’s evolving place in a wider narrative through the ages.

The Council’s Islands Digital Collections and Heritage Officer, Chris Andrews, said: “One thing we can never do as a museum is guarantee an object will be displayed but this is an important step in ensuring that it is accessible to all.

“We are delighted to be able to launch the portal making the OIC Museums collection catalogue fully accessible online and significantly enhancing public access to Orkney’s rich cultural heritage.

“This development allows residents and visitors alike to explore the extensive collection from the comfort of their homes.

“To make this all possible, the Museum and Archive Services had to upgrade their collection management system, a time-consuming and complicated process but we are proud of the end result and the catalogue continues to be updated with more images and record descriptions added weekly. Our thanks go to the developers who built the portal, Context Marketing Consultancy.”

The online catalogue features records relating to documents and artefacts from the archaeology and social history collection, historic texts, local printed materials, historic photographs and sound archives.

Key highlights of the collection include:

Archaeological finds: discoveries from various excavation sites across Orkney, showcasing its ancient past.

Social history: everyday objects, clothing, and tools that provide insight into the daily lives of Orkney’s inhabitants over the centuries.

Art and photography: works by local artists and photographers capturing the landscapes, people, and events of Orkney.

Sound Archive: descriptions of recordings of many locals talking about their lives at work and at home, telling stories, playing music and reciting poetry.

Archival collection descriptions dating from the 15th Century to the present day, including local authority, estate, church, legal and business records as well as personal papers relating to Orcadian individuals.

The Council’s Digital Archivist, Sarah Maclean, explained: “The online catalogue will open up access to many more people around the world who are interested in exploring the archival and heritage collections preserved by both service areas here in Orkney.

“Users of the portal will be able to search the catalogue for images, documents and sound archives, and this will meet the needs of researchers who historically have had to get in touch with the Archive and Museum Services to ask what collections are held.

“When people find records they are interested in, they will be able to get in touch with the Archive to request to view the records in our public search room, or to enquire about digital copies.

“We really hope people find the new portal a huge help in terms of interest and research.”

This project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Scottish Government’s National Islands Team, the European Regional Development Fund programme, managed by NatureScot and Museums Galleries Scotland, as well as the Orkney Family History Society.

To explore the online collection portal, please visit https://www.orkneymuseums.co.uk/collections-portal/ and https://orkneylibrary.org.uk/archive-catalogue/

Category:
- Arts, Museums and Heritage
- Community
- Education
- Museums

Go Back