Documenting Your Collections
Info-Muse Network Documentation Guide

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Use Continent (Origin)

Definition:

Observations:

1. N.B.: Do not confuse the Use Continent field with the Originating Continent field. The Use Continent field indicates the name of the continent where the object was used, whereas the Originating Continent field indicates the name of the continent where it was produced.
   Example

   A hat manufactured in North America and used in Oceania

   	Object Name	hat
   	Originating Continent	North America
   	Use Continent	Oceania

2. For better search results in your database, avoid a large variety of terms; draw up an authority list. You may use the following authority list:¹
   
   Africa
   Antarctica
   Asia
   Europe
   North America
   Oceania
   South America

Entry rules:

1. Enter the full name of the continent; do not use abbreviations.
   Example

   	Use Continent	South America

2. If you are unsure whether your information is correct, enter a space and a question mark after the name of the continent.
   Example

   A clock probably used in Europe

   	Object Name	clock
   	Use Continent	Europe ?

3. This field may contain several entries, since an object may have been used in more than one continent over the years—for instance if it belonged to an immigrant. The names of the continents should then be entered in chronological order, beginning with the most recent. Entries should be separated by a semicolon followed by a space.
   Example

   A table used in Europe and then in North America.

   	Object Name	table
   	Use Continent	North America; Europe