Tips and Tricks in Using
FamilySearch
Internet
FamilySearch Internet is at www.familysearch.org. The site is divided into four major sections as shown on the chart. A few things are not found through the navigation structure. The major missing piece relating to British research is English probate jurisdictions at www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHL/english_probate_jurisdictions.asp. While this section is being redesigned with a better, more complete set of data, you can use what is there for now.
This article focuses on the tips and tricks rather than explaining each section. For explanation, see my article at FamilySearch Basics. However, the remainder of these tips and tricks are arranged by site sections.
Home
1. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section is where you should look for answers to questions or just to learn more about using this web site—the questions are divided into topics according to the layout of the site.
2. The Order/Download section is where you download your free copy of PAF, but you must click on Order/Download, then select Download Software.
Search
This section has five subsections, which appear in bold in the following paragraphs.
Search for Ancestors. This screen requires you to input the first and last name of a person you would like to find. There are additional boxes into which you can enter father's name (first and/or last), mother's name (first and/or last), spouse's name (first and/or last), event type (birth/marriage/death), and place.
1. Fill out as little information as needed to make your search effective. If it is an unusual name, searching by surname without entering the first name may give you results you might have otherwise overlooked. Even if you know the birth year and parents’ full name, you may want to leave some or all of those fields blank so as not to miss an entry that varies only slightly from the information you think you know.
2. Only in rare cases would you use an exact year, even if you know it. Rather, use the “range of years” option. This is especially true when searching census records, since the birth year in census indexes is approximated from the age information. Even if the age was given correctly and you know the actual birth year, you may miss the needed entry unless you select a + or – 2 year range.
3. Look at the Sources Searched box, which tells you which databases (Ancestral File, IGI, etc.) had that name in it (and how many). You can click on any of the sources in that box to restrict your view of results to just that source.
4. The Sources Searched will tell you if there were more than 25 hits from that source. NOTE that only 25 are shown in the combined search results screen.
5. You may have additional search functions if you select an individual database rather than searching all at once. You also will see up to 200 hits from that database rather than be limited to just 25.
6. Understand what you are doing before using the exact spelling box. If there are alternate spellings of the surname, you may want to do an exact spelling search anyway—just do more than one search. For example, SAUMAREZ is spelled about eight different ways, but the IGI mixes it with SUMMERS, making it nearly impossible to find all SAUMAREZ names. In this case, search by each of the 8 alternative spellings one at a time to get what you need.
7. Use the batch number search in the IGI. This allows you to do a parish printout or even a limited search by town or parish. It also allows you to see all the names submitted in particular batch or on a specific sheet.
8. Note the search options available in the census search. After selecting a census year or census country, the screen may offer additional options, such as the ability to add a state, province, or county. It may also change the search parameters.
9. Think creatively about how to use options. For example, in census searching, use the full name of a child and first name of head of household when you know the name of the child, but only know that the child was raised by “Uncle Herbert.” Note that birth place and census place are separate fields and may also help to narrow your search.
10. Use the submission number search in Pedigree Resource File. This allows you to see every name submitted by that person in that single submission.
Research Guidance
asks you to select a place where the person you are trying to trace lived
(state or country), then guides you step by step through the process of finding
the desired information on that person. You tell the time period he or she
lived, and RG tells you what records exist for that time period in that place
and outlines how you can go about finding what you are looking for. Each
section ties to the Family History Library Catalog (to tell you what records
are available at the Family History Library System), a step by step guide,
related web sites, and other research helps. Give it a try!
1. See "How Do I Begin," and "Determining the Country Where Your Ancestor Lived."
2. This database contains help on "Organizing My Files," the contents of FHL registers, and much more.
3. The
key to using Research Guidance is to have a specific ancestor and goal in mind
before trying to use it.
Research Helps has all of the publications of the Family History Library, including Research Outlines, Research Guides, Forms, Word Lists, and more.
1. Use the option to sort by different criteria..
2. Check out the forms available.
3. Letter writing guides will give you prewritten paragraphs (shows English, then lets you copy that paragraph in the language of your choice).
Web Sites searches the list of other web sites that FamilySearch volunteers have categorized. You can search by place or subject (category). This section is no longer being maintained, but you can use what is there.
1. Note
that the default is BROWSE. This allows you to select a subject such census or
vital records, then a place such as
2. Search web sites allows you to restrict your search to sites that have certain features, such as pictures, coats-of-arms, or lineage-linked data. You can still specify a surname, category, place, and also language.
3. Once
you see results of a web site search, there is a link called Refine search. Unlike Refine search elsewhere on this site,
this refinement searches ONLY the results of the previous search. Thus, if you
get 127
4. If appropriate, leave the surname field blank. For example, if you are trying to find record repositories that have records from France and whose catalogs are online, search the place France, category Archives and Libraries, and check the feature online catalog.
Share – two separate areas, as follows:
Collaborate with others.
· Note that there are four types of lists--same ancestor, surname, place, or topic (the same topics used in Browse Web Sites).
· On the left hand side, click on Search E-mail lists to search. Input a word you want to find (surname, place, or topic) in the keyword box.
· When searching, you will usually get better results if you click the second radio button (The e-mail list name starts with the keyword). Thus a search for Mann will not get Ackermann or Hermann.
· When using the keyword search, consider entering a space after the name. Thus, a search for Mann with a space after it will exclude the names Manning and Manners.
· If your search doesn’t find anything, create a group.
· Join those groups that apply to your ancestry, but remember that you won’t get anything until someone sends another message. Past messages are not stored or available.
Share my Genealogy.
1. Check your notes and sources before submitting. Take out any derogatory comments or anything else you don’t want shared.
2. Remove details on living people before submitting.
3. You can check the status of your submission at any time.
4. Be sure to use the box to add a descriptive paragraph. Make the paragraph useful (the major surnames, places, and time period in the database being submitted).
Library
Check classes being taught at the Family History Library. Also notes on and links to major genealogy conferences.
©Copyright 1997-2007 by Alan E.
Mann. All rights reserved. Written
permission to reproduce all or part of this syllabus material in any format,
including photocopying, data retrieval, or the Internet, must be secured in
advance from the copyright holder.