Old Salem Museums & Gardens

 
MESDA Craftsman Database
Old Salem Museums & Gardens Library
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Craftsman records are there?
As of February 2009 there were  close to 78,000 records covering artisans from across the Southeast from as early as 1585 to as late as 1860.
What do I need to know about artisans' names?
Names appear last name first. Names of apprentices are accompanied by the names of their masters (in capital letters) and “apprentice” will appear after the trade in the occupation field. If artisans have been found working in two or more locations, they are listed in each, with separate MESDA identification numbers. Caution must, however, be used when identifying migrating craftsmen. When names appear twice, they may or may not represent the same person; to conclude that two listings of the same name do indeed refer to the same person in different regions is a judgment to be made by the researcher based on all the information available.
What do I need to know about dates?
The dates included represent the range of dates found in documents pertaining to the artisans in those locations. As MESDA research continues, the date ranges change frequently as new information is added to an artisan's files.
What do I need to know about trades?
The trades listed may contain several occupations that the artisan appears to have followed, based on the documented evidence examined. Normally, the trades artisans worked in are related in some way.
How many Titles does the Library Database contain?
As of February 2009 there were over 18,000 tiles including books, manuscripts, videos, microforms, serials and maps.
Can I check out books from the Library? 
Books may not be taken from the library center; however, all are available for inspection during normal business hours.
What's the difference between Search and Browse?
Search produces results sorted by their relevance to your parameters.  A browse displays the results sorted alphabetically.
What do I need to know about searching?
Here are some searching tips:
Use * to truncate and search forms of a word: Fish* = fish, fisheries, fishing, etc.
Enter words or phrases followed by AND, NOT, TO or OR grouped logically by parentheses: (A OR B) AND (C TO D) NOT E
A blank field will not be searched.
To search for a phrase, enter the word inside quotes: "Old Salem".
If you place a word or phrase in more than one field, the search will return all records whose contents match the first entered field, and the second entered field, etc.