Searching WorldCat
Off to WorldCat to search, I entered her name as author. I quickly discovered that a library not far away had a copy in the reference department. My librarian arranged an inter-library loan! I photographed key pages that are not in good condition in my personal copy, and returned the book with a thank-you to my library and another thank-you to the other library.
However, if I had searched using the title of the book, as well as the author, WorldCat would have shown me the above results. Notice the arrow, pointing to the ebook available with a single click?!
Yes, WorldCat included HathiTrust Digital Library in its search results, and there, for all the world to read (and/or download), is my aunt's History of the WAC Detachment, 9th Air Division, Sept 1942-Sept 1945. Professionally digitized and in great condition. Here's a link to the book.
Today's Search Tip
So today's tip is: remember to search WorldCat by author and title. Even if you know the author, as I did, be sure to search by title to see slightly different search results, including ebooks that may not pop up in an author-only search.
* These WAC histories were written and privately printed, paid for by members of the WAC detachments who chose to order a copy--in advance. My aunt purchased several copies, for family and for her good friend in the British intelligence service, a woman she met during her harrowing trans-Atlantic crossing in the midst of German sub threats.
What a cool thing to have! My aunt was in the RCAF Women's Division during WWII. I wonder if there is a book about their branch? I'll have to do a search. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese detailed, illustrated histories were privately printed and paid for by the WAC members of each detachment. Not sure if the same was true for RCAF but I wish you luck doing a search!
DeleteGood tip - sometimes more information in a search engine is better. What a neat piece of family history to own.
ReplyDelete