iMuseum FAQs
What collections are on iMuseum?
iMuseum gives you free and growing online access to parts of the Manx National Heritage Museum Collections, Manx National Heritage Library & Archives and the Isle of Man Sites & Monuments Record. Listed alphabetically, that’s search access to objects, items, sites and monuments from:
- Art Collection
- Archaeology Collection
- Furniture Collection
- Costume & Textiles Collection
- Isle of Man Newspapers (1792-1960) & Printed Publications
- Library
- Manuscript Archive
- Maps & Plans Archive
- Photographic Archive
- Print & Poster Archive
- Sites & Monuments Record
- Social History Collection
- Natural History (Botany, Geology, Zoology)
- TT & MGP Database
What family history resources are on iMuseum?
There are now many resources for discovering family histories on the Isle of Man on iMuseum, largely name indexes to archives held in the Manx National Heritage Library & Archives. More of these resources are added every year to iMuseum and advertised on the Collections Blog. To get you started, below is a simple list of the main Isle of Man family history name indexes now on iMuseum which you can search by clicking on People.
- Baptisms, 1600-1920
- Marriages, 1589-1920
- Burials, 1601-1920
- Census for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1891, 1901, 1911
- Registered Deeds, 1847-1910
- Castle Rushen Gaol Registers, 1825-1891
- First World War Internees
- Second World War Women Internees (women only born before 1 January 1921)
- War Memorials
There are also images of people from the Photographic Archive which is well worth exploring to see if there is a photograph of your family history member. And of course don’t forget to search the Isle of Man Newspapers (1792-1960) as they contain countless names. Having problems doing your family history? Genealogical Research Services on the Isle of Man and other helpful hints on doing family history on the Isle of Man, including other sources held in the Isle of Man Government’s Civil Registry and Public Record Office are listed in Sources for Family History. Birth, marriage or death certificates are only obtainable from the Isle of Man Government’s Civil Registry. Images of some of the Island’s parish registers in our archive collections are now accessible online at Family Search Search Tip: use a double apostrophe (just like a Google search) if you want to search on a specific name.
What Internment resources are available on iMuseum?
Unfortunately for researchers, many of the primary records were destroyed in the 1950s. Some survive in the Manx National Heritage archives, such as an indexed summary admissions list for the smaller Douglas camp of about 5,000 names, ref: MS 09310. The Constabulary archives include an admissions and discharge register for internees held at Douglas Alien Detention Camp; the equivalent registers for Knockaloe are no longer available.
A database of internee names can be searched at www.imuseum.im by selecting ‘People’ and entering the surname in the quick search bar and selecting First World War Internees in Advanced Search. This index is made up of information collated from various sources, including the administrations register (part of Constabulary archives ref MS 09310) and indexes compiled by the Anglo-German family History Society from German archives held at Koblenz (Archive ref MS 09395).
We hold a list of staff in both camps in July 1917. Reference copies are available at Archives ref: MS 11062.
We hold over 3,000 glass plate photographs of internees taken in both camps, only a few of these are named but are available to view here.
We have digital copies of the camp newspapers available on iMuseum’s Newspapers Online.
Some other useful resources:
- Knockaloe Visitors Centre, Patrick: http://www.knockaloe.im. Volunteers do not charge for providing research for off island enquirers seeking specific information regarding an internee, guard or camp staff member during the Great War, irrespective of which Manx camp is involved.
- For internees who died during either war and whose bodies were subsequently moved to the German Military cemetery at Cannock Chase, contact: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Broadhurst Green, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire. www.cwc.org and /or Imperial War Museum, London: www.iwm.org.uk/research/research-facilities.
- The National Archives at Kew, London has an online guide to its records (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk), see particularly FP 383 for the First World War. A list of researchers who act for enquirers is available at: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/irlist.
- The Anglo German Family History Society.
- International Committee of the Red Cross: https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/. Access to digitised ICRC records of First World War prisoners’ index files and lists.
How do I search for images on iMuseum?
If you want to just look through all the images on iMuseum then just click Explore Our Images on the homepage. For images from the Photographic Archive go to Archives and in Advanced Search select ‘Photographic Archive’ as Collection and then enter your search. For images from the Art Collection go to Museum and in Advanced Search select a Collection (e.g. Art Collection) and then enter your search.
Is iMuseum growing?
Yes, more and more collections are published to iMuseum every month and advertised on the Collections Blog. iMuseum FAQs would be far too long (and never complete) if we tried to talk about all the thousands of collections and indexes that are now either on or making their way to iMuseum. So, if you’ve a question about any aspect of iMuseum, big or small, then easiest and simplest thing is to email us with ‘iMuseum’ in the Subject to: enquiries@mnh.im We look forward to hearing from you.
How do I feedback or suggest improvements to iMuseum?
We really value all your feedback on iMuseum, especially how we can make it better. Maybe you’ve an idea for what collections you’d like to see next or you just want to know more about what’s coming next for iMuseum. It’s easy to feedback, just send an email with ‘iMuseum’ in the Subject to enquiries@mnh.im
Can I download images, text or newspaper articles for personal or social media use?
Yes, if its for your own, non-commercial personal use you’re welcome to copy and save images, text or articles you find on iMuseum. You can share what you find on iMuseum by using social media short-cuts at the top of each record or if you prefer to copy the image to Facebook then we ask you include the url to iMuseum or the words ‘Courtesy of Manx National Heritage’ so others can track where the image or article came from.
How do I license images on iMuseum for commercial use?
Images on iMuseum are available to license through Bridgeman Images. If you find an image on iMuseum that is not currently available to license through Bridgeman Images then email enquiries@mnh.im and we will find out if the image can be made available to license. Read our Collections Licensing & Reproduction Policy.
How is copyright & IPR (intellectual property rights) handled on iMuseum?
Reasonable due diligence is undertaken by Manx National Heritage to ensure copyright and intellectual property rights are respected in line with Isle of Man legislation (Isle of Man Copyright Act 1991 and the Copyright (Amendment) Regulations 2013). If you believe that you own the copyright in any of the content on iMuseum and we have not recognised you as the copyright owner and/ or you believe that we do not have permission to publish the content, please contact us and we will investigate within 30 days. While we are investigating, we may temporarily remove the content in question. If we agree that you are the copyright owner, we will work with you to find a solution agreeable to you, or we will take the relevant part of the content in question off-line permanently.