The historical records search on FamilySearch.org has had the capability to do an exact search for a while, allowing users to refine their search by specifying that they want results only with an exact first name, last name, or place. Users who like this functionality and how it helps them refine their search results requested that FamilySearch engineers add the ability to specify an exact year. That functionality has now arrived!
Where Is the Exact Year Update Available?
Exact search capability, including using an exact year, is currently available in both the FamilySearch historical records search and the Family Tree search databases. When searching in these databases, follow these instructions to search with an exact year:
- On the search form, find the text that says More Options.
- Toward the bottom of the search form, turn on the Show Exact Search toggle.
- With the toggle on, check boxes will appear next to the name, place, and year fields. Checking the box next to the year allows you to search with an exact year.
Important Note: The search form allows you to specify if you are entering any year or a person’s birth, marriage, residence, or death year. An exact year option is available for each. Currently, the exact year search is available only when you are using a desktop browser. It will soon be added to the Family Tree mobile app as well.
When to Use an Exact Year
Using an exact search can help you narrow your search results. For example, a search for a person with a common name may give you hundreds of records to sift through. Specifying that you want an exact birth year may help you find all records of people who were born in that specific year with a specific name, giving you more manageable results.
Be Cautious about Using an Exact Search All the Time
When searching in these databases, you may want to do a regular search first to see what comes up. This preliminary search will help you catch records that might have missing, varying, or incorrect information but that are still about the person you are searching for.
For example, a man born in 1842 might have a birth record that specifies 1842, a census record where the recorder wrote down 1843 as the birth year, and a court record that didn’t include a birth date at all. Doing an exact year search would help you find the birth record but would not show the census or court record, even though all 3 records are for the same person.
Searching with a year range instead of an exact year may also help you control and refine your search to get relevant results for your specific query.
Other Tips for Using the Exact Year Search
- If you know what life event your year is relevant to (such as birth or death), be sure to specify that in your search.
- Experiment with different levels of exactness in your search. For example, you might choose to do an exact birth year but not an exact marriage year. You can also choose to do an exact year and exact name, or just an exact name, and so on.
- If you end up with no results or no relevant results, try turning the exact search off.
Try searching for your family members’ historical information today! FamilySearch has billions of historical records and a collaborative family tree that you can explore using a free FamilySearch account. We hope you will make meaningful discoveries that can help you come to know your family’s history.
For more tips on doing advanced record searches and to learn about other FamilySearch updates, see the related articles below.
Related Articles
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