3,662
edits
FamilySearch Catalog Surnames Search (view source)
Revision as of 10:33, 6 March 2009
, 6 March 2009Updated the Steps section
mNo edit summary |
(Updated the Steps section) |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
*pedigree ''for example'' [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=593041&disp=De+Bottetort+pedigree+chart%2C+ca%2E519+%20%20&columns=*,0,0 De Bottetort Pedigree Chart, ca.519 A.D.-1975]<br> | *pedigree ''for example'' [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=593041&disp=De+Bottetort+pedigree+chart%2C+ca%2E519+%20%20&columns=*,0,0 De Bottetort Pedigree Chart, ca.519 A.D.-1975]<br> | ||
However, the [[Family History Library Catalog Author Search|Author Search]] is better for finding '''''an author''''' by surname.<br> | However, the [[Family History Library Catalog Author Search|Author Search]] is better for finding '''''an author''''' by his or her surname.<br> | ||
== Steps to Search by Surname == | == Steps to Search by Surname == | ||
#Go to [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org]. | #Go to [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org]. | ||
#Click the ''' | #Click the '''Library Catalog''' link under the tab '''Search Records'''. | ||
#Click '''Surname Search'''. | #Click '''Surname Search'''. | ||
#Type a surname. | #Type a surname. | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
#Click the surname that matches the one you want. | #Click the surname that matches the one you want. | ||
#Click a title to see more details. The record may be in a book or on a film. | #Click a title to see more details. The record may be in a book or on a film. | ||
#Click '''View Film Notes''' | #Click the button labeled '''View Film Notes '''in the top right corner to see a film number.The button will not appear if there isn't a film number.<br> | ||
== How Do I Understand the Results of a Surname Search? == | == How Do I Understand the Results of a Surname Search? == | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
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 == | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
'''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 == | ||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
[[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]] | ||