HELP - International Genealogical Index

The International Genealogical Index (IGI) lists several hundred million names of deceased persons from throughout the world. This screen allows you to search the names in the index. I've provided more detailed help below.

Help Topics

Click one of the following for information about the International Genealogical Index screen:

• When Should I Use the International Genealogical Index?
• How Do I Use the International Genealogical Index?
• Tips for Searching
• I Can't Find the Information I'm Looking For. Now What?
• Details about Each Part of the Screen

When Should I Use the International Genealogical Index?

• To find vital records of births, christenings, or marriages.
• To find records in regions around the world.

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How Do I Use the International Genealogical Index?

To use the International Genealogical Index:

1. Type in a person's name. You can type either a first name, last name, or both names.
2. Optional. Type any other requested information that you know.
3. Optional. If you are looking for a specific record and know its batch, sheet, or film numbers, type them in. See Use the Film or Batch Number.
4. Optional. If known, select an event in the person's life, such as birth, christening, or marriage. Type the date the event occurred.
5. Select the region of the world where the event took place.
6. To begin the search, click Search.

Note: To conduct a search, enter at least your ancestor's first name or last name and the region.

In addition to using a person's name to search for information, you can search for records based on important events in the person's life, such as marriage or death. This can help you focus your search and reduce the number of extraneous records you find during a search. Click one of the following to learn more about finding information based on:

• An event in a person's life.
• The year(s) of an event.
• The place of an event.

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Tips for Searching

To see expert tips on searching for records, click the Tips on How to Search the International Genealogical Index link on the search screen. 

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I Can't Find the Information I'm Looking For. Now What?

If your search was unsuccessful or you want more information, here are some suggestions:

1. Use the search tips. Click on the Tips on How to Search the International Genealogical Index link on the search screen.

2. Verify accuracy. Information in the International Genealogical Index is from many different sources, which may cause some discrepancies and duplication. Verify the information by comparing it to information from other sources.

3. Try different spellings of last names. The International Genealogical Index automatically searches for last names that are spelled similarly (Hughes, Hughs, Hews, and so forth). However, it may not know all the variations. Try different spellings of the name. 

4. Try using a different search method. You may want to try searching a different database. Follow the steps below to choose another database:

1. From the Search tab, click Search for Ancestors.
2. Choose a database from the left menu.

You can also search web sites for general topics, such as military history or cemeteries. From the Search tab, click Web Sites; then choose one of the following options:

1. Click Browse Categories to browse through web sites and do keyword searches.
2. Click Advanced Search for additional options that will help narrow your search.

5. Use the film or batch number to search for other family members.

• If you find a record with a film or batch number, search for the film or batch. You may find other family members in the same film or batch.
• For example, if you found Alan Kensington on film number 1417888, do another search using only the film number. See if you can find other family members on the film.
• Note: If a record contains both a batch number and a film number, then use only the batch number for your search. Film number searches are valid only when there is no batch number.

6. Search the Family History Library Catalog. The catalog lists additional records that are not available on the Internet but are available at a local Family History Center. The catalog lists:

• Family histories.
• Birth, marriage, and death records.
• Census records.
• Church registers.
• Books.
• Microfilm and microfiche.
• Other records containing genealogical information.

Close Help and Go to the Family History Library Catalog.

7. Look in Research Guidance. This tool helps you decide what records to use to find information about your ancestor. It lists the best records to use, recommends the order in which to search them, provides step-by-step instructions for finding information in the records, and tells you where the copies of the records may be located.

Close Help and Go to Research Guidance.

8. Browse other genealogical sites. You may find it helpful to use other Internet resources. Major Internet genealogical sites are listed in the Key Genealogical Sites category.

Close Help and Go to Key Genealogical Sites.

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Details about Each Part of the Screen

First Name field:

• Type the first name of the person you are looking for. Examples: Sarah, Ann, Edward.
• Do not type identifiers or titles, such as Jr., Dr., Miss, Captain, Sir, and so on.
• Do not type middle names or initials. (They do not always appear in the IGI records, and the search may disregard them.)

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Last Name field:

• Type the last name of the person you are looking for. Examples: Smith, McDonald.
• For a woman, try typing her maiden name first. Then try a second search using her married name.

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Father and Mother fields:

• Type the first and last names of the father and mother of the person you are looking for. 
• To search for a person, you do not need the father's and the mother's names. You may have only one or any combination of the names. For example, you may have the father's first name and the mother's first name.
• If you want to find information about a father or mother, type their names into the First Name and Last Name fields.

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Spouse fields:

• Type the first and last name of the person's husband or wife. 
• Use a wife's maiden name. 

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Event field:

• Click on the Event field, and select an event (birth, marriage, all records, and so forth) in the person's life for which you think a record was made.
• If you chose Other from the event lists, FamilySearch Internet will search for information found in census records, wills, adult christening records, and any other miscellaneous records.
• Try to focus your search by entering additional information about the event in the Event Range, Year, and Country boxes.

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Year Range and Year fields:

• Use the Year Range and Year fields to indicate when the event you selected in the Event field occurred.
• Example: If you select a date range of  "+ or -10 Years," and type 1880 in the Year box, FamilySearch Internet will find only records created between 1870 and 1890.

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Region and Place fields: Records in the IGI are organized by geographical regions (Britain, Finland, and so forth). To reduce your search time:   

• Click Regions, and select a region to search. Click on the region where you think the person was living at the time of the event you selected.
• Depending on the region you choose, other boxes may appear, such as Country or Province. Select the appropriate items from the lists.

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IGI Source Numbers: You can find a record in the IGI by entering its batch number, serial/sheet number, and film number. To find source numbers: 

• First, search for a person's record by using other information, such as his or her last name and birthplace.
• When you find the record, write down its source numbers. The next time you want to find the record, enter the source numbers. 
• You may also want to use the numbers to find other relatives. Go to Use the Film or Batch Number Search for Other Family Members.

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Use Exact Spelling Check Box:

• To find records with the person's name spelled exactly as you have entered it, click the Use exact spelling box.
• If you use the exact spelling feature, type only the name of the person you want to find. Do not enter names of parents or spouses, and do not select an event. Include an event date only if needed to limit your search results.
• If you use the exact spelling feature, be sure to enter the individual's complete name as it would appear in the record, including middle names and initials.
• When you don't click the Use exact spelling box, FamilySearch Internet searches for the name you typed and any close matches. For example, the search results for the surname "Nelson" would include Nelson, Nelsen, Nielson, Nielsen, and so forth.

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Search Button: Enter information into the search fields; then click Search to begin a search. 

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Clear Button: To remove all the information from the search fields, click Clear.

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