We certainly had this problem after a conversion into TMS from over 50
individual databases.  I would recommend selecting one number for each
object, entering all the duplicate numbers into that record as alternate
numbers, merging all the information from the multiple records into the one
record, and finally deleting the duplicates.  This is a slow and arduous
task, but I don't think that you would want more than one record for the
same object.  At least we don't.

Jenny Wilker
Philadelphia Museum of Art

-----Original Message-----
From: Sparacino, Eliza [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 12:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Duplicate numbers


Hello,

We are trying to develop a system of clearly identifying duplicate object
numbers in TMS. Previously many of the curatorial departments maintained
their own numbering lists for study collection works, since they were not
full collection works.  We are now entering these into TMS and discovering
duplicate numbers.  Most of these duplicates share a "root" number, but due
to an addition of parts or components in the number, TMS does not recognize
them as duplicates: SC194.2002, SC194.2002.1-3.

During our conversion, Gallery gave duplicate numbers a "Dupl" suffix to
distinguish them, but we are looking for another way to denote these records
in our system.  If you have any suggestions or examples of how you've
resolved this problem in your own collection, I would greatly appreciate it!

Many thanks,

Eliza Sparacino
Manager, Collection and Exhibition Technologies
(212) 708.9599
[log in to unmask]

MoMAQNS
The Museum of Modern Art, Queens
http://www.moma.org