Return-Path: Delivered-To: leibbran@mailhub1.vianetworks.nl Received: from anclsmtp02.myfamily.com (anclsmtp02.myfamily.com [63.92.90.191]) by mailhub1.vianetworks.nl (Postfix) with ESMTP id 3867D10326 for ; Mon, 12 Aug 2002 10:23:45 +0200 (CEST) Received: from ancnews01 (10.6.8.151) by anclsmtp02.myfamily.com (LSMTP for Windows NT v1.1b) with SMTP id <8.00047336@anclsmtp02.myfamily.com>; Mon, 12 Aug 2002 2:24:23 -0600 X-Sender: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=MyFaMiLyMiMeBoUnDaRy02292000 Reply-To: From: "Ancestry Special Offer" To: leibbran@iae.nl Subject: Hans, learn how to search Ancestry.com databases! Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 08:24:20 -0000 Message-Id: <20020812082345.3867D10326@mailhub1.vianetworks.nl> Content-Type: text/plain; Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit Search Everything at Once Sign up for our 14-day free trial and continue your discoveries! http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=3456&ATT=8taInLLNipvdraND_M1cZE*CvPA-gWBAhflIAE Our last email introduced you to the American Genealogical- Biographical Index (AGBI) and a family of databases that can help you find your ancestors who took part in the American Revolution and Civil War. Along the way, you've probably wondered if there is a way Ancestry.com can help you search all of the site's databases at one time. If the name you're working with is relatively unusual, all-in-one or global searching can be particularly quick and effective. Global search results will tell you exactly how common the name is and easily get you to databases containing the name you want to find. Sometimes, the broad range of the global search and the vastness of Ancestry.com databases will make it necessary for you to use some additional techniques in order to take advantage of all of the data here. Generally speaking, you will either find too much or too little when you work with Global Search. http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?sourceID=3456&targetID=3594 If there's too much... Try these techniques. Remember to approach your searches as a scientific investigator would. Try the techniques one at a time and keep notes about what you're doing in your research calendar. http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?sourceID=3456&targetID=3592 Include a middle name. This requires all the matches to have both the specified first and middle names. This will reduce the number of matches, but what you find could be closer to the person you're seeking. Specify location. Specifying a country and state or province is a great way to focus your search. Conduct separate searches using every location your ancestor is known to have lived. Specify year ranges. You can choose the date(s) of the records you want to view. A search of +/- 25 years will show results within a fifty-year range. If you are searching dates in combination with a location search, be sure the year range matches the years that ancestor lived in the location you are searching. If your ancestor lived their entire life in one location, you may have to search twice using different year ranges to cover their entire lifespan. Search specific record types. View the list of available database or record types (directories, census records, military records, court and land records, etc.) and make your selections based on the location and year range that is relevant to your search. If you are only searching one database, you should not have to narrow the location or year ranges you specify. If there's too little... Sometimes searches do not produce any results. There are many reasons why an ancestor might not be listed in a compiled index, including: --the ancestor is not in the record (for example, they did not perform military service or they did not live in the area you specified). --you have not spelled your ancestor's name correctly. --your ancestor (or the compiler, such as a census enumerator) didn't know how to spell his name. --your ancestor's record is illegible or nearly so. There are some things you can do to broaden your search results and improve your chances for finding your ancestors in the database you are searching, assuming, of course, that your ancestor is listed there. The name "sounds like"... Try Soundex. Some database search interfaces allow the use of a Soundex search. Checking this option will bring up results for names that "sound like" the name you enter in the search box. This approach is particularly effective with names that have variants based on English-language phonics. Try a Wildcard. Some databases let you perform wildcard searches. With these you can search for Ramp, Romp, Rump in one step by entering R?mp. A search for R*mp will bring Reamp, Raomp, Ramp, Rump, etc. Wildcard searches may take longer and they are best used with specific databases. Be careful to narrow your searches as much as you can because, for example, if you search for something such as broad as S*h you will wind up with an unmanageable number of hits. Don't Use Full Name. Try entering the first and middle name separately. Your John Frederick Tullman may appear as John Tullman or Frederick Tullman. Use Specific Databases. Frequently specific database search screens have a variety of different search functions and options -- more than the limited, one-size-fits-all set that you'll find with a global search. Using a specific database search may allow you to create broader based searches than you could conduct if you tried to search all of the Ancestry.com at once. Try Nicknames and Alternates. Soundex and wildcards will not always work. If your ancestor used a nickname, try searching for it separately. There is a reasonable chance that your ancestor used his nickname. There's also the chance that the name you have for your ancestor is really a nickname rather than the person's given name. How do I know I have the right person? Sometimes it will be fairly obvious. Sometimes not. Use common sense and do not jump to conclusions. If a database "hit" points to an original record, locate that document because it could offer additional clues to help you determine if the person you found is really "yours." Also, remember common methods of travel and lifestyle when you are trying to connect a person from point A to a person from point B. When it's possible, look for other records to see if your conjecture holds up under scrutiny. Remember, finding an entry in a database isn't an end. Like a good detective you need to build a body of evidence that leads to your absolute certainty. How do I track this? Clicking and searching without keeping track of databases you have already searched will wind up bringing you back to the same database over and over. Make it your practice to search a database, try the various options with that database and then move on to another database. Only in that way will you increase your odds of finding your ancestor in Ancestry.com's. As you work, make entries in your research calendar for each search you conduct on a specific database for a specific ancestor. Also, be sure to note your search methods (Soundex, wildcard, etc.). Organized searching is the basis for fruitful "finding". Family historians can face a daunting task as they set off in search of their ancestors. Certainly having all of the information at hand that Ancestry.com offers will make the search easier. But what if you could harness the power of a team of dedicated family historians to aid you in your ancestral searching? In the next e-mail, you'll meet the members of your A (for ancestry) Team. If you have not already signed up for our free trial, there is still time. Get a 14-day free trial today: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=3456&ATT=8taInLLNipvdraND_M1cZE*CvPA-gWBAhflIAE ------------------------------------------------------------- You received this e-mail because you registered on Ancestry.com, MyFamily.com, or Rootsweb.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------- If you want to unsubscribe from this newsletter or sign up for other newsletters, please visit our newsletter management center at: http://www.ancestry.com/today/main.htm?opt=news&ATT=8taInLLNipvdraND_M1cZE*CvPA-gWBAhflIAE You are currently subscribed as: leibbran@iae.nl Content-Type: text/html; Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit Lesson 5

Search Everything At Once!

Sign up for our 14-day free trial and continue your discoveries!

Our last email introduced you to the American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) and a family of databases that can help you find your ancestors who took part in the American Revolution and Civil War. Along the way, you've probably wondered if there is a way Ancestry.com can help you search all of the site's databases at one time.

If the name you're working with is relatively unusual, all-in-one or global searching can be particularly quick and effective. Global search results will tell you exactly how common the name is and easily get you to databases containing the name you want to find. Sometimes, the broad range of the global search and the vastness of Ancestry.com databases will make it necessary for you to use some additional techniques in order to take advantage of all of the data here.

Generally speaking, you will either find too much or too little when you work with Global Search.

If There's Too Much...
Try these techniques. Remember to approach your searches as a scientific investigator would. Try the techniques one at a time and keep notes about what you're doing in your research calendar.

Include a middle name. This requires all the matches to have both the specified first and middle names. This will reduce the number of matches, but what you find could be closer to the person you're seeking.

Specify location. Specifying a country and state or province is a great way to focus your search. Conduct separate searches using every location your ancestor is known to have lived.

Specify year ranges. You can choose the date(s) of the records you want to view. A search of +/- 25 years will show results within a fifty-year range. If you are searching dates in combination with a location search, be sure the year range matches the years that ancestor lived in the location you are searching. If your ancestor lived their entire life in one location, you may have to search twice using different year ranges to cover their entire lifespan.

Search specific record types. View the list of available database or record types (directories, census records, military records, court and land records, etc.) and make your selections based on the location and year range that is relevant to your search. If you are only searching one database, you should not have to narrow the location or year ranges you specify.

If There's Too Little...
Sometimes searches do not produce any results. There are many reasons why an ancestor might not be listed in a compiled index, including:

  • The ancestor is not in the record (for example, they did not perform military service or they did not live in the area you specified).
  • You have not spelled your ancestor's name correctly.
  • Your ancestor (or the compiler, such as a census enumerator) didn't know how to spell his name.
  • Your ancestor's record is illegible or nearly so.

There are some things you can do to broaden your search results and improve your chances for finding your ancestors in the database you are searching, assuming, of course, that your ancestor is listed there.

The Name "Sounds Like"...
Try Soundex. Some database search interfaces allow the use of a Soundex search. Checking this option will bring up results for names that "sound like" the name you enter in the search box. This approach is particularly effective with names that have variants based on English-language phonics.

Try a Wildcard. Some databases let you perform wildcard searches. With these you can search for Ramp, Romp, Rump in one step by entering R?mp. A search for R*mp will bring Reamp, Raomp, Ramp, Rump, etc. Wildcard searches may take longer and they are best used with specific databases. Be careful to narrow your searches as much as you can because, for example, if you search for something such as broad as S*h you will wind up with an unmanageable number of hits.

Don't Use Full Name. Try entering the first and middle name separately. Your John Frederick Tullman may appear as John Tullman or Frederick Tullman.

Use Specific Databases. Frequently specific database search screens have a variety of different search functions and options -- more than the limited, one-size-fits-all set that you'll find with a global search. Using a specific database search may allow you to create broader based searches than you could conduct if you tried to search all of the Ancestry.com at once.

Try Nicknames And Alternates. Soundex and wildcards will not always work. If your ancestor used a nickname, try searching for it separately. There is a reasonable chance that your ancestor used his nickname. There's also the chance that the name you have for your ancestor is really a nickname rather than the person's given name.


How Do I Know I Have The Right Person?
Sometimes it will be fairly obvious. Sometimes not. Use common sense and do not jump to conclusions. If a database "hit" points to an original record, locate that document because it could offer additional clues to help you determine if the person you found is really "yours." Also, remember common methods of travel and lifestyle when you are trying to connect a person from point A to a person from point B. When it's possible, look for other records to see if your conjecture holds up under scrutiny. Remember, finding an entry in a database isn't an end. Like a good detective you need to build a body of evidence that leads to your absolute certainty.

How Do I Track This?
Clicking and searching without keeping track of databases you have already searched will wind up bringing you back to the same database over and over. Make it your practice to search a database, try the various options with that database and then move on to another database. Only in that way will you increase your odds of finding your ancestor in Ancestry.com's. As you work, make entries in your research calendar for each search you conduct on a specific database for a specific ancestor. Also, be sure to note your search methods (Soundex, wildcard, etc.). Organized searching is the basis for fruitful "finding".

Family historians can face a daunting task as they set off in search of their ancestors. Certainly having all of the information at hand that Ancestry.com offers will make the search easier. But what if you could harness the power of a team of dedicated family historians to aid you in your ancestral searching? In the next e-mail, you'll meet the members of your A (for ancestry) Team.

If you have not already signed up for our free trial, there is still time.

Get a 14-day FREE trial today!

You received this e-mail because you registered on Ancestry.com, MyFamily.com, or RootsWeb.com. To manage your email communication (i.e., to unsubscribe from this newsletter or signup for others), visit our newsletter management center.
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