Welcome to the AOSHS Digital Collections Database

This database gives you the ability to search the records within a selection of our digital collections that we have made available online.

You can begin your search by using the buttons above. If you are viewing this on a small screen, you may need to click the menu button to see the available options.

Tips for Searching

Keyword Search

This allows you to perform a general search across multiple fields for any catalog records.

Keyword searches use “OR” as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Bitburg High School returns results with Bitburg OR High OR School).
If you want to find only records that contain all the keywords, use “AND” (e.g. Bitburg AND High AND School).
To search a specific phrase, put within quotes (e.g. “Bitburg American High School”). This is the best option to search for a specific school with a keyword search.
You can also use the asterisk (*) as a type of wildcard search (e.g. a search for histor* will access records containing history, histories, historical, etc.).
Searches are not case sensitive.

Browse by Term

This search starts with the first letter of the subject being searched. Click on the letter that is related to your search to display a list of available terms, then click on the term to see a list of results.

Advanced Search

This allows you to be more specific with your search. You can focus your search terms on specific fields and avoid matching the terms over the entire record.

Choose the catalog that you want to search (archives, photos and/or objects). By default, all catalogs are selected.
Below those catalogs, enter a word or phrase in whatever categories are necessary to refine your search. You can enter information in as many fields as you like; you do not need to enter information in every field. Only enter information you may know and that is helpful for refining your search.
Phrase searching with quotes (“) and use of wildcards (*) are available.

Random Images

The Random Images button is a great way to browse the collection. Each Random page displays an image from the online records along with an assortment of other images to view. You can view the images on the page by cycling through them using the left or right arrow buttons, or by clicking on the thumbnail for a particular image.

Catalog Searches – Archives / Photos / Objects

These catalog buttons can help narrow down your search by allowing you to restrict it to one of the three overall catalogs.

For instance, if you only want to search the Photos catalog, click the Photos button and type in your keyword(s) or phrase in the available search box.
Use the same sequence with the other two categories.
Phrase searching, wildcards (*) as well as AND/OR statements are available when performing catalog searches. For more information on how to use these statements see Keyword Search above.
You can also browse records within each catalog without performing a search.