Search Results Format
The new search results are pretty much useless. It doesn't return results even close to the parameters I enter.
Comments
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Hi RHaynes.
Maybe this will provide some help for you in using the new Search parameters:
The update to Record Search is now available for all of our guests.
We are happy to share some ideas on how to enjoy the new look and Search features for Search Records and record results page.
The Search Records update is inviting and helpful for our new users, but the features that our experienced users love are still available, even though it has a new outward appearance.
The update provides a new look and feel, but just click on “more options” to see the more familiar search page for a more specific search. The same search engine is the gate to finding wonderful records.
On the new Search Historical Records page, there is a wonderful link for “Tips for Effective Searches.” We hope that the explanations to what a historical record is and how records help us learn about our family are helpful for experienced users as well as for beginners.
As you get used to the new features in the search results page, you may discover new features that can help in sorting, saving and viewing your record search results. Many of our guests are discovering marvelous ways to use the new features. These updates may be challenging at first, but a great deal of work, research and experienced planning has gone into this update for our benefit. Please give it some time. Experience the search. Experiment with each feature. We hope that you will grow to love the new update to FamilySearch records search.
May we suggest some articles from the Help Center.
Best practices and search tips for historical records. https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/when-i-am-searching-historical-records-what-are-the-best-practices-and-tips
How do I filter the search results in historical records? https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/filter-the-search-results-in-historical-records
How do I change how search results in historical records are formatted? https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-change-the-format-of-the-search-results-in-historical-records
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The new search format is also useless. Because the gray was taken away, it's difficult to look at and discern quickly between records. The heading is also so large and bulky (even after trying all of the format options) that I can only view one or two records at the bottom of my screen at a time.
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I agree with the users who do not like the new results screen. I would like to have access to the previous search result screen. I do not need "tips" on how to.... I have been an indexer and reviewer for the last 10 years. I am disappointed by the "improvements" made lately. I would like to think that as a volunteer, I would better access to searches, and better search results! Searcher should be able to search a country of birth also identifying country of residence. Those are not always the same. I suspect my relatives may have moved from Mexico to El Salvador in late 1700. This may be the reason I am not able to find their birth records. Also, Is there any effort underway to add to church records? Without those records, it is impossible to find earlier ancestors; Civil records in Latin America were kept starting in 1880.
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I probably dislike the new format as much as you, but must admit I can usually find what I am searching for, much as before.
It just takes making full use of the Filter options. I find it particularly useful to filter on "Type" and/or "Collection" - especially when I just want a specific results list: e.g. just census records.
Presentation / viewing is the worst aspect for me - only a limited amount of information can be seen, without scrolling, and the record headings are far too large. But, even if the design is awful, you can still get the desired results - it just takes far more effort to get them, and then work with them (attach as sources, etc.).
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I find the new Search Results difficult. I no longer find information and have given up on using the site. Its a shame as I have found so much in the past.
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I find the results of searches are pathetic. There seems to be no order to them, just all mixed up. For example, if the results of a search are possible brides for a man, then the results should be alphabetical, e,g sort firstly on the brides date of birth, then their maiden name, then their forenames. Also we should be able to download the results of searches to Excel or Word.
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I hate the new search function. I typed in my relatives name, DOB (1798), and DOD (1863) and Spouse and got results from the 1880-1910 first. She died in 1863! I shouldn't have to weed through any census or death records after the 1871 Canada Census. After the 3rd page of useless results, I gave up.
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