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FamilySearch Catalog Surnames Search (view source)
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You can choose to view the results list in order by the title, or in order by the author using buttons at the bottom of the results list. | You can choose to view the results list in order by the title, or in order by the author using buttons at the bottom of the results list. | ||
If the name you search is relatively common, the results list may be so long (over 100) that you will have to click [Next results] at the bottom of the page one or more times to see the complete results list. For long results lists there is also an option to jump to a record (title) number you specify. | If the name you search is relatively common, the results list may be so long (over 100) that you will have to click [Next results] at the bottom of the page one or more times to see the complete results list. For long results lists there is also an option to jump to a record (title) number you specify. | ||
== Strategies for Using a Surname Search == | == Strategies for Using a Surname Search == | ||
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'''Look for family histories.''' This search mainly finds family histories. | '''Look for family histories.''' This search mainly finds family histories. | ||
'''More than one surname per family history.''' Library catalogers usually add to the '''''Surname Search''''' about four surnames from families that marry into the main family for a typical family history. For example, [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=163371&disp=Blackburns+today+and+yesterday%20%20&columns=*,0,0 Blackburns Today and Yesterday] is also listed under the following names: BARRON, BRIDGES, DAVIS, and FRAZIER. For longer family histories even more names would usually be listed. So it is normal to find a book via the '''''Surname Search''''' which is primarily about another family and only briefly mentions the surname you searched. | '''More than one surname per family history.''' Library catalogers usually add to the '''''Surname Search''''' about four surnames from families that marry into the main family for a typical family history. For example, [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=163371&disp=Blackburns+today+and+yesterday%20%20&columns=*,0,0 Blackburns Today and Yesterday] is also listed under the following names: BARRON, BRIDGES, DAVIS, and FRAZIER. For longer family histories even more names would usually be listed. So it is normal to find a book via the '''''Surname Search''''' which is primarily about another family and only briefly mentions the surname you searched. | ||
'''If the results list has too few matches.''' The more of a surname you type as a search term, the smaller the results list will be. Since many surnames have [[Guessing a Name Variation|spelling variations]], you may want to broaden your search. To do this, you can type only part of the surname. (This is called truncating your search.) For example, if you type '''Newcombe''' as your search term, the computer will find only that spelling of the name. However, if you type '''Newcom''' as your search term, the computer will find any surname that begins with those letters, including Newcom, Newcomb, Newcome, Newcombe, and so forth. | '''If the results list has too few matches.''' The more of a surname you type as a search term, the smaller the results list will be. Since many surnames have [[Guessing a Name Variation|spelling variations]], you may want to broaden your search. To do this, you can type only part of the surname. (This is called truncating your search.) For example, if you type '''Newcombe''' as your search term, the computer will find only that spelling of the name. However, if you type '''Newcom''' as your search term, the computer will find any surname that begins with those letters, including Newcom, Newcomb, Newcome, Newcombe, and so forth. | ||
'''Switch to the ''Keyword Search'' to find a family in a specific place.''' If the results list has too many matches, it may help to switch to the Family History Library Catalog [[Family History Library Catalog Keyword Search|'''''Keyword Search''''']] and add a ''place'' (state or province) to the ''surname''. For example, a '''''Surname Search''''' for '''Frazier''' results in 177 matches, but a '''''Keyword Search''''' for '''Frazier Colorado''' results in only 21 matches. This strategy finds works that are cataloged under the surname '''Frazier''' and the place '''Colorado''' in the same cataloging entry, usually but not necessarily in connection with each other. States and provinces work best for this strategy. Towns and counties work poorly for this strategy. | '''Switch to the ''Keyword Search'' to find a family in a specific place.''' If the results list has too many matches, it may help to switch to the Family History Library Catalog [[Family History Library Catalog Keyword Search|'''''Keyword Search''''']] and add a ''place'' (state or province) to the ''surname''. For example, a '''''Surname Search''''' for '''Frazier''' results in 177 matches, but a '''''Keyword Search''''' for '''Frazier Colorado''' results in only 21 matches. This strategy finds works that are cataloged under the surname '''Frazier''' and the place '''Colorado''' in the same cataloging entry, usually but not necessarily in connection with each other. States and provinces work best for this strategy. Towns and counties work poorly for this strategy. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
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[[Family History Library Catalog Subject Search|Family History Library Catalog Subject Search]] | [[Family History Library Catalog Subject Search|Family History Library Catalog Subject Search]] | ||
[[Family History Library Catalog Call Number Search|Family History Library Catalog Call Number Search]] | [[Family History Library Catalog Call Number Search|Family History Library Catalog Call Number Search]] | ||
[[Category:Family_History_Library_Catalog]] | [[Category:Family_History_Library_Catalog]] | ||