Help:Advanced searches in the wiki
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''[[Image:Boolean search.jpg|frame|left]]'' | ''[[Image:Boolean search.jpg|frame|left]]'' | ||
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''The following list of Boolean expressions can be used in the Basic Search and Advanced Search:'' | ''The following list of Boolean expressions can be used in the Basic Search and Advanced Search:'' | ||
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#''word1 AND word2 AND word3'' | #''word1 AND word2 AND word3'' | ||
#''word1 word2 word3'' | #''word1 word2 word3'' | ||
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==== ''OR'' ==== | ==== ''OR'' ==== | ||
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#''word1 OR word2'' [Example: Vital records OR Civil registration] | #''word1 OR word2'' [Example: Vital records OR Civil registration] | ||
#''word3 OR word4'' [Example: Census OR Tax] | #''word3 OR word4'' [Example: Census OR Tax] | ||
| − | </div> | + | </div> |
==== '''''Hyphen (-)/NOT''''' ==== | ==== '''''Hyphen (-)/NOT''''' ==== | ||
<div class="O"> | <div class="O"> | ||
''Use the hyphen (-) between two words to search for articles that contain "word1" but would exclude articles that also contained "word2." Another option is to use the word NOT in place of the hyphen.'' | ''Use the hyphen (-) between two words to search for articles that contain "word1" but would exclude articles that also contained "word2." Another option is to use the word NOT in place of the hyphen.'' | ||
| − | #''word1 -word2'' [Example: | + | #''word1 -word2'' [Example: England - London]<br> |
| − | #''word1 NOT word2'' [Example: | + | #''word1 NOT word2'' [Example: England NOT London] '''''Note: This search does not currently work, but has been brought to the attention of tech support. However, if the word "NOT" is replaced with the hyphen (-), this search seems to work.'''''<br> |
| − | </div> | + | </div> |
=== ''Parentheses'' === | === ''Parentheses'' === | ||
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''The asterisk and the question mark can be used as wild cards in a search. Use the asterisk in place of one or more characters at the end of a word. Use the question mark to take the place of a single character in a word. Examples:'' | ''The asterisk and the question mark can be used as wild cards in a search. Use the asterisk in place of one or more characters at the end of a word. Use the question mark to take the place of a single character in a word. Examples:'' | ||
| − | #''birt* ''[this will return articles that contain the words that begin with "birt" such as birth, births or birthday...]''<br>'' | + | #''birt* ''[this will return articles that contain the words that begin with "birt" such as birth, births or birthday...]''<br>'' |
#''fa?e ''[this will return articles that contain the words face, fame and fate...] | #''fa?e ''[this will return articles that contain the words face, fame and fate...] | ||
</div><div class="O"> | </div><div class="O"> | ||
| − | ''Note that you can use more than one "?" in a word. [Example: phr??e''] | + | ''Note that you can use more than one "?" in a word. [Example: phr??e''] |
| − | </div> | + | </div> |
=== ''Phrase Search'' === | === ''Phrase Search'' === | ||
''Text with double quotes implies a phrase search. Use this type of search when you need to find an article that includes the exact phrase you are looking for. Example:'' | ''Text with double quotes implies a phrase search. Use this type of search when you need to find an article that includes the exact phrase you are looking for. Example:'' | ||
| − | #''" | + | #''"New York City"'' |
| − | #''" | + | #''"California birth records"'' |
| − | #''" | + | #''"Family History Library"<br>'' |
=== ''Mixing Advanced Features'' === | === ''Mixing Advanced Features'' === | ||
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''All the Boolean search features can be mixed together for added strength in searching for articles. Examples:'' | ''All the Boolean search features can be mixed together for added strength in searching for articles. Examples:'' | ||
| − | ''word1 | + | ''1. (word1 AND (word2 OR "phrase search")) '' Example :((German AND (emigration OR "birth") This search will result in pages that contain content about German emigration or German births. |
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| + | ''2. ((word1 AND word2) AND NOT word*) ''This search will return articles that contain word1 AND word2, but will NOTinclude articles that also contain words that start with "word" like "words," "wordy," or "worded." '''''Note: If AND NOT does not work, replaced with the AND NOT with a hyphen ( - ), with a space on each side it.'''<br>'' | ||
[[Category:Help]] | [[Category:Help]] | ||
Revision as of 04:35, 25 February 2010
- Further information: Search Tips and Basic Searches
Contents |
What is Boolean?
Boolean is a set of values that help determine if something is true or false. In more simple terms, it allows users to use the words "AND," "OR," and "NOT" to help narrow down search results.
The following list of Boolean expressions can be used in the Basic Search and Advanced Search:
AND
Type the word AND between two words that you want to search for. This will search for articles that contain both "word1" AND "word2" in an article. If you type a sequence of words without the operator AND between them, the search conducted by the Wiki in the Basic Search or Advanced Search is the same as if you had typed AND. Examples:
- word1 AND word2
- word1 AND word2 AND word3
- word1 word2 word3
OR
Type the word OR between two words that you want to search for. This will search for articles that contain either "word1" or "word2," but not both words together. Examples:
- word1 OR word2 [Example: Vital records OR Civil registration]
- word3 OR word4 [Example: Census OR Tax]
Hyphen (-)/NOT
Use the hyphen (-) between two words to search for articles that contain "word1" but would exclude articles that also contained "word2." Another option is to use the word NOT in place of the hyphen.
- word1 -word2 [Example: England - London]
- word1 NOT word2 [Example: England NOT London] Note: This search does not currently work, but has been brought to the attention of tech support. However, if the word "NOT" is replaced with the hyphen (-), this search seems to work.
Parentheses
You can control the search order with parenthetical expressions by using the parentheses. Example:
- ((word1 AND word2) OR word3)
Wild Cards
The asterisk and the question mark can be used as wild cards in a search. Use the asterisk in place of one or more characters at the end of a word. Use the question mark to take the place of a single character in a word. Examples:
- birt* [this will return articles that contain the words that begin with "birt" such as birth, births or birthday...]
- fa?e [this will return articles that contain the words face, fame and fate...]
Note that you can use more than one "?" in a word. [Example: phr??e]
Phrase Search
Text with double quotes implies a phrase search. Use this type of search when you need to find an article that includes the exact phrase you are looking for. Example:
- "New York City"
- "California birth records"
- "Family History Library"
Mixing Advanced Features
All the Boolean search features can be mixed together for added strength in searching for articles. Examples:
1. (word1 AND (word2 OR "phrase search")) Example :((German AND (emigration OR "birth") This search will result in pages that contain content about German emigration or German births.
2. ((word1 AND word2) AND NOT word*) This search will return articles that contain word1 AND word2, but will NOTinclude articles that also contain words that start with "word" like "words," "wordy," or "worded." Note: If AND NOT does not work, replaced with the AND NOT with a hyphen ( - ), with a space on each side it.
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