HELP - Ancestral File
HELP - Ancestral File |
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Click one of the following for information about the Ancestral File screen:
When Should I Use Ancestral File?
Use Ancestral File when you want to:
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How Do I Use Ancestral File?
To begin your search:
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:
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To see expert tips on searching for records, click the Tips on How to Search Ancestral File link.
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Accuracy. The information in Ancestral File is a composite of information from many different contributors which may include some discrepancies and duplication. Verify Ancestral File information by comparing it to information from other sources. Be aware that:
Privacy Rights. To protect rights of privacy, Ancestral File displays:
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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, try these suggestions.
1. Use the search tips. Click the Tips on how to search Ancestral File link.
2. Try a different search method. You may want to try searching a different database. Follow the steps below to choose another database:
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:
3. Check with submitters. If you find records of people related to the person you are looking for, check to see who submitted the record to Ancestral File. Contact the submitters to see if they have information on the person you are looking for.
4. Search for a record instead of a name. For example, if you had no luck searching for John Smith who you know was born in 1849, you could search for an 1850 census record in which he might be listed. Go to the Browse Categories screen and use the Keyword Search option for this type of search.
5. If you find someone related to the person you are looking for, check the relative's records. Check the relative's individual record, pedigree chart, or family group record. The person you are looking for may be in one of these with the name spelled somewhat differently.
6. If you know an Ancestral File Number, type it in. Every person in Ancestral File is assigned an Ancestral File Number. You may have already found file numbers when you searched Ancestral File using CDs at a family history center.
7. 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:
Close Help and Go to the Family History Library Catalog.
8. 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.
9. 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.
- You may type middle names and initials. However, middle names and initials do not always appear in records. If you use middle names or initials, be sure to check the Use exact spelling box.
- Do not type identifiers or titles, such as Jr., Dr., Miss, Captain, Sir, and so forth.
- Try using different variations of the first name.
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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.
- Try different variations of the last 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, it is not necessary to have the father's and the mother's name. 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 his or her name into the First Name and Last Name fields.
- Use a mother's maiden name when known.
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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.
Try to focus your search by entering additional information about the event in the Event Range, Year, and Country boxes. Return to Help Topics.
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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Country fields:
Click on the Country field and select a country to search. Click on the country where you think the person was living at the time of the event you selected.
Depending upon the country you choose, other boxes may appear such as State or Province. Select the appropriate places from the lists. Return to Help Topics.
Use Exact Spelling box:
To find records with the person's name spelled exactly as you have entered it, click on the Use exact spelling box. If you use the exact spelling feature, type only the person's name. Make sure all other fields (parents, spouse, events, dates, and so forth) are blank. 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. Return to Help Topics.
Ancestral File Number: Every person in Ancestral File is assigned an Ancestral File Number. Example: ID7P-WN. Include the number if you know it.
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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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