Is there anyway to get back to the original search engine?
Sometimes it is best to just admit you made a mistake. The new search engine effectively ruins FamilySearch for me. It is awkward, unwieldy, and imprecise. I have to work 15 minutes to get the info I could see at a glance before. This may look better on somebody's smart phone, but that is not how most of us work.
Please do not throw away your value as a research tool by using this ill conceived search engine.
Thank you.
Cindy Lang
Best Answer
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Cindy
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
From another perspective ...
You are not alone ...
MANY; Many, many, of us wish for such ...
But ...
That Said ...
I really doubt such will ever happen ...
And, just in case you, were not aware ...
Here are some FOUR (x4) posts, in date (and, post) order of being posted, from someone, stating, to be part of the 'FamilySearch' Team that, 'Designed'; and, 'Developed", the the NEW "Results" page/screen, for "Search Records", which appears, in some of the posts, to give some "Instruction", on HOW to use the NEW "Results" page/screen, for "Search Records".
"Ideas" (ie. 'Feedback) Section
15 July 2021
[ 1 ] Discussion 90536
'Category' = Records (Searching And Viewing)
Home > Ideas > Records (Searching And Viewing)
Hello FamilySearch Community! Try out the new update to Record Search.
29 September 2021
[ 2 ] Discussion 103619
'Category' = General User Interface
Home > Ideas > General User Interface
FamilySearch's Updates to the Search Page
https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/103619/familysearchs-updates-to-the-search-page
[ 3 ] Discussion 103620
'Category' = Records (Searching And Viewing)
Home > Ideas > Records (Searching And Viewing)
FamilySearch Employee Responding to Search Page Feedback
[ 4 ] Discussion 103621
'Category' = Records (Searching And Viewing)
Home > Ideas > Records (Searching And Viewing)
FamilySearch Employee Responding to Search Page Feedback
I hope, that some of the information in these posts, may offer some help/assistance.
And ...
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').
Now ...
That Said ...
You may like to ADD, your thoughts/comments, in those particular posts; so that, your thoughts/comments, like those of MANY other UNHAPPY Users/Patrons, ARE 'seen', by the Team, in 'FamilySearch', that 'Designed'; and, 'Developed" the NEW look "Search".
As you can 'see' from those posts ...
DESPITE, all the NEGATIVE 'Feedback', with regard to the NEW "Results" page/screen, for "Search Records", from those that matter, the 'lowly' User/Patrons, where the NEW "Results" page/screen, for "Search Records", was 'foisted' upon them; BEFORE, being "Fully" released to ALL User/Patrons - 'FamilySearch' RELEASED the NEW "Results" page/screen, for "Search Records", to ALL Users/Patrons.
As I already suggested ...
You are not alone ...
We are ALL "Struggling"; and, NEED "Help", with the NEW "Results" page/screen, for "Search Records", which is NOT very 'User Friendly'.
MOST Users/Patrons want the NEW "Results" page/screen, for "Search Records" to be "Reverted" BACK to the PREVIOUS "Results" page/screen, for "Search Records".
But ...
That Said ...
SADLY, I doubt that will happen ...
I know that this DOES NOT help/assist; but, I hope that this gives you some, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
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Answers
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Is there anyway to get back to the original search engine?
No there is not. From statements on Ron Tanner's YouTube channel FamilySearch 'had to change Search due to expiring support for the 'platform' it was built on.' (probably a minute before this point)
The closest proposal I have seen to changing current Search - create/present a UI mockup of how Community would like it to be to FamilySearch. Is there is a UI engineer that wants to take that task and run with it?
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Thank you for your reply. That the old platform is no longer supported makes sense, even though it makes me sad. Many websites are being redesigned, maybe for quicker downloads, to have mostly white on the page. I miss the old spreadsheet layout where things were lined up in rows and columns, and you could compare and contrast at a glance. Unfortunately, the new FamilySearch engine is not something I will have much use for. It is even worse than the Ancestry search engine.
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I really do appreciate FamilySearch and all the work done there. It is not your fault that things change. Keep up the good work, and thanks for all that you do.
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It would really enhance the reputation of FamilySearch if a representative were to come to this platform - or the Blog section - and offer sincere apologies for the upset these changes have caused to the vast majority of its users.
Maybe it's too much to expect FamilySearch to go back to the previous version, but just to acknowledge they messed-up badly with this one and will work quickly to make improvements that should make searches work a whole lot better for its long-standing users.
Of course I understand the need to attract proficient, young smartphone users, but adopting these changes is just a step too far for most of us.
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If you view Ron Tanner's YouTube channel video he essentially does this (a little before he talks about the 'old Search' platform ending support - so they had to move to a new platform). Although he indicates most people replying to him accept his direction for how the current Search is working - he is usually getting positive feedback from that instruction. What I am trying to differentiate here is that there are issues here in Community (that FS is likely already aware of) that are valid and need to be addressed.
As far as Community-driven change of current Search to something more like 'old Search' - I think that is a little bit longer term issue - but some of these filter/page repaint/refresh issues - those might need more immediate looking into ...
It certainly gives Community the opportunity to attempt organizing and presenting a proposal though (Suggest an Idea). Maybe some users want to propose a FamilySearch Users Bill of Rights ...🤫
Community is here for a reason - why not use it to propose things that - at least current users taking part- would like to see sacrosanct (that will be guaranteed not to change in the interface). It seems like there are definitely users that would want that - so they will need to organize and submit that as a proposal. I don't know if FamilySearch would agree - but I can see the point in trying ...
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Ron was a regular participant a few years back on the old GetSat platform, so it would be great to see him visit here once in a while, too. He could then communicate with the many users who don't get to view his YouTube channel, but have respect for his forthright way of responding to issues.
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He had mentioned he didn't know how Community members were dealing with the changes ... I expect he has enough on the plate as is ...
I am sure there is feedback going on betwixt the groups though - so I feel confident they are keeping a check on the pulse of Community. I think if Community could organize behind an Idea/proposal for desired change it might go further toward convincing FS of further needed changes (not that they don't know that already - they just have resources focused toward other needed priorities and may not get to what Community wants immediately).
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