Difference between revisions of "Refine your search"

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'''Refining Search Options'''<br>
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You may need to refine your search if you have difficulties finding a relative in the census.<br>
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[[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. Just because you can enter information in every search criteria doesn't mean you have to.<br>
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[[Category:Census Search]]
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'''Why Refine Search Options?'''
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<br>
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You may need to refine your search if you have difficulties finding a relative in the census.
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<br>
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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.
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<br>
  
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>
 
  
 
'''Suggested search criteria'''<br>
 
'''Suggested search criteria'''<br>
Using the following suggestions or some ideas of your own may help find a missing relative<br>
 
 
Enter the following information;<br>
 
 
''Forename, approximate year and place of birth''<br>
 
 
''Surname, approximate year and place of birth''<br>
 
  
''Forename and/or surname plus county of birth''<br>
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Experiment with leaving different boxes blank, include (or exclude) the name of a spouse or parent for example or perhaps the place of birth.
  
''Forename and name of resident city/town/village or parish''<br>
 
  
'''Spellings of names'''<br>
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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]
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>
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'''Wildcard Searches'''
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<br>
  
Dixon ''could be'' Dickson, Dicksun etc<br>
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To use a wildcard search there must be at least three characters before any wildcard.
Brown could be ''Browne, Brawn, Brawne etc''<br>
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<br>
  
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Use more characters before the wildcard. For example, use Able* instead of Abl*.
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<br>
  
'''Wildcard Searches'''<br>
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Specify both a first and last name or a partial first and last name.
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<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 "*".  
 
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*"). <br><br>
 
 
  
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<br>
  
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(e.g., using "Hans?n" matches both "Hansen" and "Hanson" rather than using "Hans*").
  
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<br><br>
  
 
<div align="center">[[Image:refine_search.jpg]]</div>
 
<div align="center">[[Image:refine_search.jpg]]</div>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
Back to [[Census Search]]
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Back to [http://www.familytreeforum.com/content.php/97-The-Census The Census]

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*").



Refine search.jpg



Back to The Census