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20 ways to find a elusive names including using competing indexes, initials, abbreviations, middle names, nicknames, IGI standardized names, translations, letter substitutes, finding relatives, and searching the record without an index. | 20 ways to find a elusive names including using competing indexes, initials, abbreviations, middle names, nicknames, IGI standardized names, translations, letter substitutes, finding relatives, and searching the record without an index. | ||
<span>Just because an ancestor always spelled his name the same way, that does NOT GUARANTEE it was always spelled that way by a clerk or by an indexer. If your first search fails to find an ancestor, consider the possibility the name is spelled differently than you expect. In fact, experienced genealogists worry their skills are slipping if they are not finding several documents with unexpected spellings of the name. | <span>Just because an ancestor always spelled his name the same way, that does NOT GUARANTEE it was always spelled that way by a clerk or by an indexer. If your first search fails to find an ancestor, consider the possibility the name is spelled differently than you expect. In fact, experienced genealogists worry their skills are slipping if they are not finding several documents with unexpected spellings of the name.</span> | ||
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<span></span><span>Be prepared to hunt for elusive ancestors in a variety of ways and under a variety of name spellings. Here are some steps to help find names that seem to be missing from an index (or record)<sup>1</sup>[http://www.familysearchwiki.org/#_edn1 <span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span></span></span></span></span>]</span><nowiki>:</nowiki> | <span></span><span>Be prepared to hunt for elusive ancestors in a variety of ways and under a variety of name spellings. Here are some steps to help find names that seem to be missing from an index (or record)<sup>1</sup>[http://www.familysearchwiki.org/#_edn1 <span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span></span></span></span></span>]</span><nowiki>:</nowiki> | ||
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# <span>'''''Unusual occupation search.''''' A few computer indexes (usually CDs) allow a search for occupations. If a hard-to-find ancestor has an unusual occupation, search the index for the occupation without a surname or given name. Browse through the results list for your ancestor.</span> | # <span>'''''Unusual occupation search.''''' A few computer indexes (usually CDs) allow a search for occupations. If a hard-to-find ancestor has an unusual occupation, search the index for the occupation without a surname or given name. Browse through the results list for your ancestor.</span> | ||
# <span>'''''International Genealogical Index (IGI) standardized surnames.''''' Look for your ancestor in the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true International Genealogical Index]. Notice the various "standardized" surname spellings grouped with your ancestor's surname to learn possible variations to use in '''''other''''' indexes and records.<span></span></span> | # <span>'''''International Genealogical Index (IGI) standardized surnames.''''' Look for your ancestor in the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true International Genealogical Index]. Notice the various "standardized" surname spellings grouped with your ancestor's surname to learn possible variations to use in '''''other''''' indexes and records.<span></span></span> | ||
# <span>'''''Translated immigrant surname.''''' Some immigrants translate their surname into English. For example, ''Schneider'' means ''Tailor''. If your ancestor was born in a foreign-language speaking nation, look for him under '''''both''''' the English and foreign-language version of the surname. Use dictionaries (such as German-English) to find possible name translations. For lists of such dictionaries use the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=subjecthitlist&columns=*,0,0&subject=language&presubject=language Family History Library Catalog '''Subject Search''' for "language]." | # <span>'''''Translated immigrant surname.''''' Some immigrants translate their surname into English. For example, ''Schneider'' means ''Tailor''. If your ancestor was born in a foreign-language speaking nation, look for him under '''''both''''' the English and foreign-language version of the surname. Use dictionaries (such as German-English) to find possible name translations. For lists of such dictionaries use the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=subjecthitlist&columns=*,0,0&subject=language&presubject=language Family History Library Catalog '''Subject Search''' for "language]."</span> | ||
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# <span>'''''Translated immigrant given name.''''' Look for '''''both''''' foreign language and English versions of given names, for example, ''Andrew''</span><span></span><span><nowiki>=</nowiki>''Andreas''. Get help from the</span><span>given name dictionary in 25 languages:</span><span>Wanda Janowowa, et. al.,</span>''<span>[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=103656&disp=SÅownik+imion&columns=*,0,0 Słownik Imion]</span>''<span>(Wrocław [Poland]: Narodowy Imienia Ossolińskich Wydawnictwo, 1975.) [FHL INTL Reference 940 D4si; Fiche 6000839]</span><span></span> | # <span>'''''Translated immigrant given name.''''' Look for '''''both''''' foreign language and English versions of given names, for example, ''Andrew''</span><span></span><span><nowiki>=</nowiki>''Andreas''. Get help from the</span><span>given name dictionary in 25 languages:</span><span>Wanda Janowowa, et. al.,</span>''<span>[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=103656&disp=SÅownik+imion&columns=*,0,0 Słownik Imion]</span>''<span>(Wrocław [Poland]: Narodowy Imienia Ossolińskich Wydawnictwo, 1975.) [FHL INTL Reference 940 D4si; Fiche 6000839]</span><span></span> | ||
# <span>'''''Vowels.''''' Look for the name spelled with different vowels. For example, look for GILLESPIE under GALLESPIE.</span> | # <span>'''''Vowels.''''' Look for the name spelled with different vowels. For example, look for GILLESPIE under GALLESPIE.</span> | ||
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== '''<span>Related Internet Site</span>''' == | == '''<span>Related Internet Site</span>''' == | ||
<span>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson8.htm Why U Can't Find Your Ancestor] at www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson8.htm | <span>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson8.htm Why U Can't Find Your Ancestor] at www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson8.htm</span> | ||
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