Difference between revisions of "Refine your search"

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'''Why Refine Search Options?'''<br>
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[[Category:Online Research]]
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[[Category:Census Search]]
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'''Why Refine Search Options?'''
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<br>
  
You may need to refine your search if you have difficulties finding a relative in the census.<br>
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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>
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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>
  
  
 
'''Suggested search criteria'''<br>
 
'''Suggested search criteria'''<br>
  
Experient with leaving different boxes blank, include (or exclude) the name of a spouse or parent for example or perhaps the place 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.  
There is an illustrated guide below and also a case study with illustrated search and results screens and an example of a wildcard search at [http://www.familytreeforum.com/wiki/index.php/Finding_Martha Finding Martha]
 
  
  
'''Wildcard Searches'''<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]
  
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>
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'''Wildcard Searches'''
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<br>
  
Specify both a first and last name or a partial first and last name.<br>
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To use a wildcard search there must be at least three characters before any wildcard.
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<br>
  
Try using the single-character wildcard "?" rather than the multiple-character wildcard "*". <br>
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Use more characters before the wildcard. For example, use Able* instead of Abl*.  
(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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Specify both a first and last name or a partial first and last name.
 +
<br>
  
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Try using the single-character wildcard "?" rather than the multiple-character wildcard "*".
  
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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>
  
 
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Back to [http://www.familytreeforum.com/content.php/97-The-Census The Census]
Back to [[Census 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*").



Refine search.jpg



Back to The Census