Documenting Your Collections
Info-Muse Network Documentation Guide

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Originating Continent (Origin)

Field to be used with an authority listField used for ethnology and history collectionsField used for fine and decorative arts collectionsField used for science and technology collectionsField used for archaeology collections (object data and site data)Field used for natural science collectionsSociété des musées québécois Info-Muse database field

Definition:

  • This field contains the name of the continent where the object originated.

Observations:

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

    A hat manufactured in North America and used in Oceania

     Object Name hat
    Originating ContinentNorth 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

    Originating 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 teapot, probably from Asia

     Object Nameteapot
    Originating Continent Asia ?
  3. This field may not contain more than one entry.

 
  1. NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA. The World - Continents, The Atlas of Canada Website, (http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/reference/international/world/referencemap_view) [Information up to date on June 20, 2006].
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