We set our Nationality field to be a pick-list for searching (configuration setting on the field to ‘display as distinct list in queries’. This makes searching easy for most users.

We also plan to add a secondary nationality entry under Constituent Attributes, to allow for easier searches on geographic regions (South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, etc.).

Jeri

From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ryan Donahue
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 4:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: dual-nationality

You can create the [American and French] nationality, I suppose.  Arguments can be made both for and against this, but without serious table-mangling, it would be hard to make a 1:n relationship where 1:1 exists (as is the case, I believe, in constituent : nationality).  It is semantically different enough in my opinion to justify the creation of an additional entry into nationalities.  

It makes searching a little more difficult, but I suppose the crux of the argument really is whether or not a search for 'American' should turn up 'American and French'. 

Hope that helps.

Ryan Donahue

Manager of Information Systems

George Eastman House

International Museum of Photography and Film

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585.271.3361 ex386

On Aug 31, 2009, at 4:24 PM, Milby, Jessica wrote:

Hi folks…apologies if we’ve covered this recently…

Has anyone determined a standard for recording the nationality for artists who are citizens of two countries and need to be noted as such?  We usually say for instance “American (born France)” but I have an inquiry from a curator wanting the artist’s display name to include a dual nationality without the pesky past tense.

Thanks,

Jessica

______________________
Jessica Milby
TMS Systems Manager
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Phone: 215-684-7283
Fax: 215-235-0035
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