Idea: Search for connected ancestors
It often happens that I want to find one of my ancestors or their descendants who is already in my tree, but I don't know where they are (because my tree is huge). Therefore, I'm suggesting the ability to search for them, and have the search yield the closest-related matches first.
This would differ from the existing 'Find' feature in that it would exclude results that are not connected to my tree. Also, it differs in that the most closely-related matches would show up first (making searches for known individuals whose location is not known much faster).
This feature could be implemented (for example) by adding two checkboxes (or similar) to the current 'Find' feature. One for searching your own tree. Another, for yielding the closest related match first.
Comments
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This is a variation on a very frequent suggestion. The problem? Please define "your own tree", and suggest a way for Find to limit its search to it.
Should it do the equivalent of a full tree download before every search? In the genealogy programs that can synchronize with Family Tree, a download of, say, eight generations of ancestors plus their descendants can take many hours.
Or should Find do the search and then run "View My Relationship" on every result? Depending on the initial number of results, that could also take hours.
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To find a profile you've edited, use My Contributions.
If you know you'll want to return to a profile later, use the Following feature.
If you want to search your direct ancestors, use the fan chart and your browser's text-finding function.
If you know one of the person's ancestors, use the descendancy chart and your browser, again.
Or get one of the genealogy programs that can synch with FS, spend the hours (or days) needed to download your relatives, and then use the program's features to find people.
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