• By SUBJECT HEADING: Each reference in the database has been placed under a subject heading. The simplest way to search for a reference is to browse the drop-down list of SUBJECT HEADINGS to find the one most relevant to your search. Subject headings are grouped in four sections -Community Life, Personal Life, Domestic & Family Life and Working Life.
  
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• By SHIC (Social History & Industrial Classification) CODE NUMBER: If you know the numerical SHIC code for the subject you are interested in, type this in the relevant box. This will take you to the firstBASE subject heading which covers your area of interest. firstBASE subject headings are broader than individual SHIC codes, so you will find references to allied subjects as well as the one you are researching. To find out more about the SHIC classification system, Contact the Collections Trust at www.collectionstrust.org.uk
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• By using the FREE TEXT search facility: Enter the main word or words describing the subject you are interested in. FirstBASE will list the subject headings where this word appears. Then choose the subject heading most relevant to your search.
  

Once you have found the subject heading most relevant to your search, firstBASE will show you the bibliographic references for that subject. From this you can move to listings of other relevant types of material by following the links menu displayed on the top right-hand corner of the screen.

References to all types of material are grouped in batches and the total number of entries is given, as in a conventional search engine. By clicking on the "print results" button, you have the option to print each group of references. More detailed information for many of the references may be displayed by clicking on the "More..." prompt.

On each page there is the option to move back to the search facility and begin a new search, or move to another subject heading.