How do I get search to find correct individuals?
Why doesn’t the database find the correct individuals, divorces and marriages when exact information is the search criteria, even when “match exactly” is chosen?
Answers
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Firstly, I assume you know that the details you are seeking are to be found on the FamilySearch database.
Many are finding records much more difficult to find since the recent changes. I have found it far more important now to search on one event at a time. For example, if looking for a marriage event (particularly from the Person page) I remove all other events. So, I am trying this out as I type:
I have begun with 5,798 results. Removing everything but the individual's name, I have inputted just marriage details: "England, 1800-1830". This gets me down to 263 results (for a "John Whitely, who likely married in England during this period). Every one of those results (in checking the three "Exact" boxes) does relate to a marriage (or marriage notice) that took place in England during the said period - and all for a "John Whiteley". As I am quite sure he would have married in the county of Yorkshire, I now specify that as the place name and now get 221 results.
As the actual parish is not specified in many of the records, the only further action I can take to narrow the results still further is to either: (1) reduce the date range (say to 1805-1815), or (2) add a first name for the spouse (if this is known or probable).
In searching for 1805-1815 events I get 87 results. In adding the name Elizabeth (as spouse), I am down to just 8 results (1800-1830) and just 1 result if I input a 1805-1815 date range.
The URL provided below relates to a John Whiteley marriage in Yorkshire between 1800 & 1830, to an Elizabeth.
One other tip is to make sure there are no boxes checked as "Exact" where no detail has been inputted.
Try examples of your own based on this example (modifying the search criteria to produce narrower or wider results) and I believe you will find searches much easier.
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Thank you. I will try the ideas ya’ll listed.
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Chris
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
And, in relation to, the "Changes" of, the NEW "Search Records"; and, the resulting "Results" page/screen ...
You are certainly not alone ...
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 additional, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
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@Brett . Thanks for the insight as it does help. Perhaps the powers that be will take into consideration the difficulties people are having and change things again.
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