• When keyword / keywords are entered in the query field, PICAS will search in the following fields: Caption and Subject.
  
• PICAS allows for two basic operations or combination of both :
  i) The space between the two words will denote the 'or' operation.
  ii) Two or more words within inverted commas (" ") / (' ') will denote the 'exact word' search or the 'and' operation.
  

e.g. Enter Query: river
Returns records which contain 'river' in any of the fields.

e.g. Enter Query: shipyard harbour
Returns records which contain either 'shipyard' or 'harbour' in any of the fields.

e.g. Enter Query: "Singapore river"
Returns records which contain 'Singapore river'.

e.g. Enter Query: "Singapore river" "Kallang river"
Returns records which contain 'Singapore river' or records which contain 'Kallang river'.

Users may sort the result list by the availability of images (Records With Images / Records Without Images / All)

Sort 'Records With Images'
Returns records with images, which contain the keyword entered.

Sort 'Records Without Images'
Returns records without images, which contain the keyword entered.

Sort Records 'All'
Returns all the records, which contain the keyword entered.

2. HOW TO USE: Advanced Search

2.1 Accession Number

To search for records with the specified accession numbers. PICAS allows to search for records via range of accession numbers (the second number has to be greater than the first).

E.g. From: 2451 To: 2451
E.g. From: 1120 To: 1130

2.2 Caption

To search for records with certain keywords in the caption.

E.g. hawker
Returns records with 'hawker' in the caption.
E.g. hawker food
Returns records with 'hawker' or 'food' in the caption.
E.g. "hawker centre"
Returns records with 'hawker centre' in the caption (exact word search).

2.3 Subject

To search for records with a specific subject.

E.g. "local crafts"
E.g. "government buildings"
E.g. "trades"

2.4 Source

To search for records with a specific source or owner.

E.g. "Ministry of Information & the Arts"
E.g. "National Archives of Singapore"
E.g. "Lee Kip Lin"

2.5 PhotoCD Number

To search for records with a specific photoCD number (applicable for records with digitised images only). To be keyed in with Image Number field.

E.g. 19980005814-8106-3181-7904

2.6 Image Number

To search for records with a specific image number that is corresponding to the photoCD number (applicable for records with digitised images only). To be keyed in with PhotoCD Number field.

E.g. 0081

2.7 Negative Number

To search for records with a specific negative number.

E.g. 94,227/10
E.g. LKC53/01

2.8 Record Date

To search for records from a specific date / year to another specific date / year.
E.g. From: 1960 To: 1969

2.9 Max Display

To search for records with a specific image number that is corresponding to the photoCD number (applicable for records with digitised images only). To be keyed in with PhotoCD Number field.

E.g. 0081

2.10 Thesaurus Flag

To determine whether to enable or disable the thesaurus function.

2.11 Sort By Availability of Images Flag

Sort 'Records With Images'
Returns records with images, which contain the keyword entered.

Sort 'Records Without Images'
Returns records without images, which contain the keyword entered.

Sort Records 'All'
Returns all the records, which contain the keyword entered.

3. MORE HELP ON: Record Details and Record Image

Retrieving of record details

1. To retrieve a record detail from the result list.

Click on the record caption hyperlink to view the record details and a larger image. To return to the result list click on the back icon.

2. To retrieve two or more record details.

Click on the check boxes to select the record details to be viewed. After the selection have been made click the "Details" button at the top or bottom of the page. The record details and the larger images of the selected records will be displayed one after the other. To return to the result list click on the back icon.

Retrieving record image

Click on the picture image hyperlink next to the record caption to view a larger image with its details. To return to the result list click on the back icon.

4. TROUBLESHOOTING: Why some records have no images

NAS' collection of images is being digitised in phases and this is an on-going project. If you are not able to see a thumbnail image next to the caption among the complete photographic records, it means the digitised image has yet to be uploaded.

Should users wish to view the images, they can visit the Archives Reference Room at NAS, which is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. NAS is located at 1 Canning Rise (next to Registries of Marriages).