“ODIS is my guide: It directs me to the right physical sources”

ODIS: a Treasure Trove for Historical Research

ODIS, managed by KADOC, is a relational web database designed for historical research, especially within the Catholic world. It helps researchers understand the many ways in which religion has shaped modern society and culture. Maite explains: “ODIS contains an enormous amount of information on Catholic civil society in Belgium – on people, organizations, and archives. I first encountered the database during my history studies. It topped the list of recommended tools, and I never forgot it.” When she discovered that many of the women she studies were active in civil society, she immediately turned to ODIS. “And I found surprisingly much.”

From Digital to Physical Sources

Through ODIS, Maite frequently comes across archival documents and sources she didn’t know existed. The database acts as a guide, pointing her to archives, bibliographies, and other materials she can then consult physically. For Maite, this is essential: “You have to read the sources yourself. In my research, there is so much information between the lines.” It is precisely this combination – discovering new names and organizations and knowing where to look next – that makes ODIS so valuable.

An Unexpected Discovery in Rome

Sometimes ODIS even leads to remarkable breakthroughs. “The inventories of the Vatican Apostolic Archives are not available online. You have to travel to Rome hoping to find something in the physical inventories. That’s quite a risk.” But when Maite entered the name of an almost unknown yet important woman – someone without her own ODIS entry – she still got a hit in Rome. “So, I went. And I didn’t just find small puzzle pieces; I found a wealth of information. Without ODIS, I would never have travelled to Rome, and I would never have uncovered so much data.”

ODIS as part of RESILIENCE

Maite sees ODIS as an important component of the RESILIENCE services. Belgium is a key region for Catholic history, but many sources in Dutch and French are difficult for international scholars to access. “ODIS brings together a huge amount of scattered information. It would take an enormous amount of time to find all that separately.” For both well‑known and lesser‑known figures from Belgian Catholic history, Maite calls ODIS “a true goldmine.”

User‑Friendliness as a Strength

The platform’s user‑friendliness is another major advantage: “When I come across a foreign person or organization I don’t know, I often find very little online. But ODIS is an easily searchable database for me.”  And: “ODIS is my guide. It directs me to the right physical sources – and that makes it invaluable.”