Difference between revisions of "Refine your search"

Latest revision as of 21:10, 29 June 2022

Why Refine Search Options?

You may need to refine your search if you have difficulties finding a relative in the census.
To refine a search is simplicity itself. There are several options available. The easiest way is to use a "less is more" approach. Just because you can enter information in every search criteria doesn't mean you have to.

Suggested search criteria

Experiment with leaving different boxes blank, include (or exclude) the name of a spouse or parent for example or perhaps the place of birth.

There is an illustrated guide below and also a case study with an illustrated search and results screens and an example of a wildcard search at Finding Martha

Wildcard Searches

To use a wildcard search there must be at least three characters before any wildcard.

Use more characters before the wildcard. For example, use Able* instead of Abl*.

Specify both a first and last name or a partial first and last name.

Try using the single-character wildcard "?" rather than the multiple-character wildcard "*".

(e.g., using "Hans?n" matches both "Hansen" and "Hanson" rather than using "Hans*").

Back to The Census

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Refining Search Options'''<br>
+__NOEDITSECTION__
+[[Category:Online Research]]
-To refine a search is simplicity itself. There are several options available. The easiest way is to use a "less is more" approach. Remember that if you enter information in all the search boxes then only results that match all the search criteria will be shown.<br>
+[[Category:Census Search]]
+'''Why Refine Search Options?'''
-One option is to leave the forename section blank (this will find all entries under the surname you have entered), or substitute William for Wm for example.
+<br>
-Another option is shown in the illustrated guide, in this example the surname is omitted (this example shows results for "Thomas", born in 1867 (+/- 1 year)  in Aylesbury).<br>
-By using different combinations of information you can find "missing" results, try experimenting by leaving different boxes blank or consider an alternative spelling of a forename/surname and see how the results list can change.<br>
-'''Wildcard Searches'''<br>
-To use a wildcard search you have to enter at least the first three letters of a name then an asterix in the search box.<br>
-For example entering Osb* (as a surname) will show matches to Osborn, Osborne, Osbourn, Osbourne etc.<br><br>
-<div align="center">[[Image:refine_search.jpg]]</div>
+You may need to refine your search if you have difficulties finding a relative in the census.
+<br>
+To refine a search is simplicity itself. There are several options available. The easiest way is to use a "less is more" approach. Just because you can enter information in every search criteria doesn't mean you have to.
+<br>
+'''Suggested search criteria'''<br>
+Experiment with leaving different boxes blank, include (or exclude) the name of a spouse or parent for example or perhaps the place of birth.
+There is an illustrated guide below and also a case study with an illustrated search and results screens and an example of a wildcard search at [http://reference.familytreeforum.com/index.php/Finding_Martha Finding Martha]
+'''Wildcard Searches'''
+<br>
+To use a wildcard search there must be at least three characters before any wildcard.
+<br>
+Use more characters before the wildcard. For example, use Able* instead of Abl*.
+<br>
+Specify both a first and last name or a partial first and last name.
+<br>
+Try using the single-character wildcard "?" rather than the multiple-character wildcard "*".
+<br>
+(e.g., using "Hans?n" matches both "Hansen" and "Hanson" rather than using "Hans*").
+<br><br>
+<div align="center">[[Image:refine_search.jpg]]</div>
+<br><br>
-Back to [[Census Search]]
+Back to [http://www.familytreeforum.com/content.php/97-The-Census The Census]