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]]
+[[Category:Census Search]]
+'''Why Refine Search Options?'''
+<br>
-You may need to refine your search if you have difficulties finding a relative in the census.<br>
+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.<br>
+<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.
-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>
+<br>
 '''Suggested search criteria'''<br>
-Using the following suggestions or some ideas of your own may help find a missing relative<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.
-Enter the following information;<br>
-''Forename, approximate year and place of birth''<br>
+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]
-''Surname, approximate year and place of birth''<br>
-''Forename and/or surname plus county of birth''<br>
+'''Wildcard Searches'''
+<br>
-''Forename and name of resident city/town/village or parish''<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>
-'''Spellings of names'''<br>
+Specify both a first and last name or a partial first and last name.
+<br>
-Many times a name is incorrectly recorded, some examples are given below;<br>
-Anne ''could be'', Anne, Annie or simply the initial A<br>
-George ''could be'', Geo, G or Jorge<br>
-William ''could be'', Willium, Wilham, Willy, Wm or W<br>
-Similarly consider the way a surname may be recorded;<br>
-Dixon ''could be'' Dickson, Dicksun etc<br>
-Brown ''could be'' ''Browne, Brawn, Brawne etc''<br>
-'''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>
+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>
-Further visual examples of refining your search and the results obtained can be found at [http://www.familytreeforum.com/wiki/index.php/Finding_Martha Finding Martha]
+Back to [http://www.familytreeforum.com/content.php/97-The-Census The Census]
-Back to [[Census Search]]