FAMILYSEARCH TIPS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE RESEARCH
Brenda Kellow
March 6, 2011
If you have not used FamilySearch’s Record Search then you are not acquiring all the information available over the Internet. The database is constantly growing so you need to check back often to see what is new. To browse the list for all collections, www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp, select Search or Browse Our Record Collections. From there you will find many possible databases from which to choose. The new pilot site where volunteers are indexing materials from the Family History Library is located at http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#. The look of the sites for FamilySearch is constantly changing, but you can back into the old familiar screen you have grown accustomed.
The Place Search feature at makes it possible to search records by country, state or province, county and/or city. Type in a place you want to search and then select the best match from the drop-down list. Because this is a work in progress, the records may not be specific to the facts. On a recent search, I found the person and the date of death but only that she died in Collin County, Texas. To get further information such as her burial place I will have to broaden my search.
Databases responding to a wild card search are helpful. Just type in three letters followed by an asterisk instead of typing the full first name or surname. This is helpful if you are searching for “John.” By using the wild card search for Joh* matches will show as John, Johns, Johnson, Johnston, Johansen.
Always consider using the Advanced Search feature when searching for an individual because it offers the option to add additional information such as the parents’ names and spouse’s names.
You can filter your results. After you complete the search and view the initial results, you can narrow keywords or select from a pop-up box.
FamilySearch lets you view the digitized document images. At this point, you can choose options such as About This Collection, Copy to Clipboard, View Image or How to Read the Record. Reading About This Collection is as important to Internet research as an index is to the contents of a book. A PDF of the actual record pops up explaining additional notes highlighted to that shows you what to expect.
You can choose from the bar at the top to find information on Search Records, which contains material on Advanced Search, Record Search Pilot, Library Catalog, Historical Books, and Web Sites. There is a tab for finding about the indexing project and another on how to share your material. Under Research Help, you will find Articles, Guidance, Search the Wiki, Ask a Question and Online Classes. The last two tabs are Library and Help. Under Library, you can find out about the Family History Library, the location of the nearest Family History Center, educational opportunities online and at the Family History Library, as well as from others. For those needing further help with the site please use the Help tab.
The FamilySearch database is constantly growing thanks to the volunteers around the globe. To find out more about volunteering, check the website for more information. Although I do not always find what I am looking for, the times I do have success are certainly beneficial.
NEW INVENTION ASSIGNED TO ANCESTRY.COM: Donald B. Curtis of Utah was awarded a patent named “Adaptive contrast control systems and methods” which was assigned to Ancestry.com Operations Inc. of Provo, Utah. In short, it makes illegible documents such as census, deeds, etc. readable again. This will be a godsend for genealogists. Finally, legible documents. If you want to learn more or look at the actual patent, it is at http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2007014014.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].
The Place Search feature at makes it possible to search records by country, state or province, county and/or city. Type in a place you want to search and then select the best match from the drop-down list. Because this is a work in progress, the records may not be specific to the facts. On a recent search, I found the person and the date of death but only that she died in Collin County, Texas. To get further information such as her burial place I will have to broaden my search.
Databases responding to a wild card search are helpful. Just type in three letters followed by an asterisk instead of typing the full first name or surname. This is helpful if you are searching for “John.” By using the wild card search for Joh* matches will show as John, Johns, Johnson, Johnston, Johansen.
Always consider using the Advanced Search feature when searching for an individual because it offers the option to add additional information such as the parents’ names and spouse’s names.
You can filter your results. After you complete the search and view the initial results, you can narrow keywords or select from a pop-up box.
FamilySearch lets you view the digitized document images. At this point, you can choose options such as About This Collection, Copy to Clipboard, View Image or How to Read the Record. Reading About This Collection is as important to Internet research as an index is to the contents of a book. A PDF of the actual record pops up explaining additional notes highlighted to that shows you what to expect.
You can choose from the bar at the top to find information on Search Records, which contains material on Advanced Search, Record Search Pilot, Library Catalog, Historical Books, and Web Sites. There is a tab for finding about the indexing project and another on how to share your material. Under Research Help, you will find Articles, Guidance, Search the Wiki, Ask a Question and Online Classes. The last two tabs are Library and Help. Under Library, you can find out about the Family History Library, the location of the nearest Family History Center, educational opportunities online and at the Family History Library, as well as from others. For those needing further help with the site please use the Help tab.
The FamilySearch database is constantly growing thanks to the volunteers around the globe. To find out more about volunteering, check the website for more information. Although I do not always find what I am looking for, the times I do have success are certainly beneficial.
NEW INVENTION ASSIGNED TO ANCESTRY.COM: Donald B. Curtis of Utah was awarded a patent named “Adaptive contrast control systems and methods” which was assigned to Ancestry.com Operations Inc. of Provo, Utah. In short, it makes illegible documents such as census, deeds, etc. readable again. This will be a godsend for genealogists. Finally, legible documents. If you want to learn more or look at the actual patent, it is at http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2007014014.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].