I have some questions about the new look for record searching
How can I view ancestor information and record collections at the same time?
I used to be able to do that, but can't figure out how with this new look.
The ability to do this is pretty important. Lets say I know my ancestor is in a particular collection, but need to tweak his details for that collection to appear in the list. If I can't see them at the same time, I can't know if my change worked.
The need to do this occurs a lot. A name might be spelled or transcribed badly, or a date might be way off, any number of things might need adjusting to make the collection appear. I do hope you understand what I am asking about.
That brings up a second question.
How do I sort the collections alphabetically?
Again, I used to be able to do this, but can't figure out how in the new look.
Hopefully its obvious why a user needs to do this.
Comments
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Is sorting alphabetically something you just haven't got around to yet?
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It would be nice if someone with knowledge about this new way of searching records could reply. The answers are important not just to me, but to those whom I help as well.
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HATE the new interface UGH not good
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"Search" Team
NEW "Results" page/screen
"Records Search" ('FamilySearch')
FamilySearch
Attention: @Casey Robinson 001
Question:
Is there, ANY, advice; direction; instruction; help/assistance, that the "Search" Team, of the NEW "Results" page/screen, of "Records Search" ('FamilySearch'), can provide, to the User/Patron who raised this post?
Furthermore ...
Question:
Is there, yet, a "Knowledge Article" in 'FamilySearch', on the NEW "Results" page/screen, of "Records Search" ('FamilySearch')?
Humbly submitted for your, information; attention; and, consideration.
'Thank You' in advance.
Kind Regards
Brett
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Michael
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Not that I can be of any help/assistance ...
But ...
That Said ...
FYI
Here are some posts, by a representative, of the "Search" Team, that 'Designed' and 'Developed', the NEW "Results" page/screen, of "Records Search" ('FamilySearch'):
[ The posts appear in the order that they where posted ... ]
https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/103619/familysearchs-updates-to-the-search-page
I hope, that some of the information in these posts, may offer some help/assistance.
Brett
ps: There are OTHER posts throughout this Forum, where the instigator of the above posts has responded with, advice; direction; instruction; help/assistance, on the NEW "Results" page/screen, of "Records Search" ('FamilySearch').
.
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[ Apologies in advance if I'm teaching you to suck eggs. ]
@Michael J. Allen What kind of device are you working on ?
If it's a computer and you're working using a browser, you can open pages in separate windows and view them side by side.
To open records in separate windows, right click on the "View Record" or the Person link and choose open in New Window from the drop-down.
If it's a tablet, then that's not possible.
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I think that eventually I'll be able to figure out this confusing new interface, but the search doesn't give me the results I'm asking for, and it is very mobile unfriendly.
The search page is too simple, and the advanced search doesn't work.
I used to be able to ask for records and they'd just pop. Now I ask for records and the results have nothing whatsoever to do with what I asked for. I ask for death records in a given period of time, and I'm getting people born during that period instead.
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@vickyg2003 I've figured out a trick to use with the new search and posted about it here ... https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/104666/new-search-tips-and-tricks#latest
It might seem a little daunting to have to think about where to put a wildcard, but the method is quite good if you can master it.
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To LDS Search Test,
Thank you for replying. Your name seems like you might be official. Sadly though, you didn't understand my questions. I'll try to make things clearer.
My questions are about searching records, as in clicking on "Search Records" from any person's page. Also I am asking about the new look of this resulting "Search Records" page.
Up until recently, the person's details would be on the left and the user would choose the collection list on the right.
By making changes to the person's details such as birth location, name spelling, anything, on the left, the list of collections to the right changes. This is a very standard thing to do. Standard, as in many/most users do this alot.
If you still don't know what I'm asking, I can try again.
Does the above make my second question clearer?
"How do I sort the collections alphabetically?"
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@Michael J. Allen I'm just a lowly volunteer trying to find ways to make the new search work for me.
Lets say I choose Search Records - Geneanet. It opens in a new browser tab, -- for me ! That's why I ask what kind of device are you working on, Computer or Tablet. If you're using an iPad I cannot imagine what you're seeing because I'm using a Laptop.
I am a little confused by your terms because they don't match my interpretation of what I see. You might be looking at something completely different from what I see when I do a certain thing.
For example: - If I choose Familysearch from the Search Records (top left of person page under Research Help) I get a page that looks just like the 'new look' of the "New Search", except that the Ancestor person name and ID etc. is at the top in a banner.
The basic search boxes are below the banner, beneath which are the vitals details, and then all the results of the search, in a list. As you say, That's not how thngs used to be.
Before I dig us into a hole - - Are we seeing the same thing ?
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Thanks for taking the time to communicate with me.
My questions arise from functionality that used to be there. Since what used to be is no longer there, It becomes hard to describe. I cannot do a screen shot and add arrows which would make things simple since it no longer exists.
So yeah, my terms don't match what you see because one cannot see what is no longer there.
To answer your question, I am on a desktop pc. You didn't ask, but I'll add that I am a very experienced user of FSFT.
Do you remember what it used to look like? Do you remember the various pieces of the page? The person's details on the left, the list of records on the right? Above the list of records one could click on the word "collections"? This is critical for if you cannot remember this, we can go no further.
If you now know what I am talking about, good, keep following me with your memory.
After clicking on the word "collections", you would then be facing the scenario wherein lies my 2 questions.
1st, realize that this view (the person's details and the collections at the same time) seems to be no longer possible. Above, I gave reasons why this view is important. Because of that importance, I had to ask how this is done with the new look/feel.
2nd, with the same view, you hopefully remember clicking on the word "title"? This would sort the collection list alphabetically. This is the second important feature I cannot find in the new look/feel.
I hope you or anyone knows what I am talking about.
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If it helps, you can get to the collections list at this address https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list/
You could save it as a bookmark, then go there directly instead of from Search like you used to.
If you open it in a different window from your current work, you can view them side by side.
Is that any use, or do you need to see only those collection in which your specified ancestor appears ?
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The biggest problem is part of what is being discussed here, in order to get slightly better results than the practically useless results from New Search, we now need to remember tricks and workarounds, we need to have several windows or pages open because it might produce better results.
Requiring much more time and effort and tricks to get inferior results is not an improvement.
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@Monica Ross_1 Your comments regarding so-called improvement are valid. It would appear from what @Michael J. Allen has asked, that actual functionality was lost when the 'Improved' search was implemented. I think that needs some more confirmation before an all guns blazing question is directed at the implementers. Nevertheless the OPs question is valid, and if it turns out that functionality has been lost, then we need to ask not "how do I do this now ?" as the OP cautiously asks, but rather more pointedly, "Why was this functionality removed without canvassing users ?"
As the OP says, it is now not possible to see the old search presentation, so the evidence to support his case is lost, except in the memory of experienced users. The topic needs many more experienced users to support what he has said about the capabilities of the search prior to Sep 28, versus the 'improved' search.
Experienced users please consider the situation, and if you agree that functionality has been lost then upvote the OPs 'idea'
I'm just a fellow user trying to help another.
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It looks like your question is partly answered. The (Collection) filter bubble is now present among others to allow you to see the collections that are applicable to the results in the search.
Still no alphabetical sort though :(
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Am I to understand that changes I make in the search parameters does indeed affect the collection list as before, I just can no longer see those changes and the search parameters simultaneously?
I've spent some time with it and I think I have figured out that much, but would like to be wrong. If there is a way, please share.
Message to FamilySearch: About alphabetical sorting, when you request things from a database, it doesn't take much more code to make that return alphabetical. May I boldly suggest that be a default? I can think of no good argument for random sorting.
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From what I surmise, the collections that appear when you select the (Collections) filter lozenge are those that contain results which are currently in the results list.
For example: If you searched for Sprongle Clamtwister born 1700 in Greenland, there might be only one result and therefore one collection in the filter list, but a search for John Wilson born between 1780 and 1850 in New York might show 5000 results in 10 collections.
As far as beng able to view the collections filter list and the search side by side. The present "New Search" makes that impossible. To see the (Collections) filter you must choose "More Options", and when you select the Collections filter, the Collections window pane uses same screen space as the More Options pane.
The waiter brings you soup, but you have no spoon, you ask for a spoon, and when the waiter brings it, he takes away your soup.
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Now if the "More Options" pane WAS ON THE LEFT ! ( anybody listening ? )
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Please note that everytime you chose "More Options" one of your search terms date-sets will jump to the ANY DATES, you have to retype them and remove the ANY evertime you've hidden the search box in order to see the results.
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That (moving search term date sets to the "ANY" sounds like a bug, straight up.
Frankly, they should give people the option to use the new interface or the old one. In a little time you will know which one people prefer. I read the response above about returning 0 results and new users being intimidated. This is silly. 0 results is informative and useful to anyone doing careful research. The process of elimination is an important approach that has a place and I find that in order to get at what I am looking for I will use several approaches, several slightly different searches to account for spelling variances dates that are off or imprecise, etc... And, I do not see how having a check-box intimidates a new user (I was one once). If the check-box scares you, please do not check the box. Leave it empty and available for the brave souls who rely on it and roll on. Peace and best wishes to you all!
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