Search

Mar a chleachdas tu | How To Use

A guide to exploring the archive

A' rannsachadh | Searching

Using the search option, Gaelstream offers several options for finding recordings in the collection.

1
Search the collection

Use this keyword search to find titles, names, places, first lines, and other information.

2
Search transcriptions

Many recordings have Gaelic transcriptions. Use the transcription search to find specific words or phrases within the recorded text - a powerful tool for linguistic research.

3
Filter by place

Begin typing a place name (in Gaelic or English). Matching Scottish and Nova Scotia place names will appear if they are represented in the collection.

4
Filter by genre

Narrow results by genre: Song, Story, Belief, Custom, Biography, or Proverb. Combine with other filters, such as sub-genre, for more precise results.

5
Filter by subject

Type or select a subject keyword; matching topics will appear if they are represented in the collection.

6
Browse titles

Browse all 2,151 recordings listed under the search options. The “paper” icon indicates that a transcription is included. Items available with an English translation are marked with “EN.” Published transcriptions are referenced.

A' tuigsinn an dàta | Understanding Metadata

Each recording page displays detailed metadata in both Gaelic and English.

Beulaiche | Contributor The tradition bearer who performed the recording. Click their name to see their full profile and other recordings.
Àite tùsail | Place of origin The Cape Breton community associated with the informant.
Seòrsa | Genre The type of oral tradition: Song (Òran), Story (Sgeulachd), Belief (Creideamh), Custom (Cleachdadh), Biography (Eachdraidh-beatha), or Proverb (Seanfhacal).
Fo-sheòrsachan | Sub-genres More specific categories within the genre, such as waulking song, lullaby, or hero tale.
Cuspairean | Subjects Topics covered in the recording, such as emigration, fishing, or supernatural.
Àireamh an teip | Tape No The original tape reference number from the Cape Breton Gaelic Folklore Collection held at the Angus L. Macdonald Library at St. Francis Xavier University.

A' cleachdadh a' mhapa | Using the Map

The interactive map shows where tradition bearers lived across eastern Nova Scotia, with a secondary view showing their ancestral connections to communities in Scotland.

Use the three tabs - Places, People, and Traditions - to explore different dimensions of the collection geographically. Click any community dot to see the informants from that area and access their recordings directly.

Comhairlean | Tips

Use the 'Has transcription' filter to find recordings with searchable Gaelic text.

Click an informant's name on any recording page to discover all their other recordings.

The map's Traditions tab reveals which communities share heritage from the same region in Scotland.

Toggle between Gaelic (GD) and English (EN) labels on the map to see place names in both languages.

Many informants have biographical essays - read these for rich context about the tradition bearer's life and community.