Every entity record in the WhalingHistory.org databases has a unique Whaling Resource Identifier (WRI). Just as libraries assign each book a call number and museums refer to an object in their collection by an accession number, you can cite a whaling master, vessel, voyage, crew list, etc. from WhalingHistory.org by its WRI. Even better, the long form of that WRI can be used as a URL, enabling anyone anywhere on the Internet to link directly to that record.
- The short form of a WRI consists of two letters (which identify the database and record type) followed by a string of digits. For example, James F. Smith’s short WRI is “AM4504”
- The full form of that WRI adds “https://whalinghistory.org/wri/” before the short WRI to get https://whalinghistory.org/wri/AM4504
- You can find and copy the full WRI for an entity by going to its page in WhalingHistory.org and choosing “Click to copy this Whaling Resource.”
A WRI provides a unique permalink to any record in the databases. This allows us to:
- Refer to a record unambiguously when discussing it or making corrections
- Enrich catalog records with links to WhalingHistory.org
- Cite the information in the record
- Share in email, texts and social media
- Link from papers, presentations, exhibits, wall labels, and other databases
- Create QR codes and other gimmicky Internet stunts
