Family Search will not search for:

• a first name only

• middle names  (unless you check use exact spelling and have included a first, middle and last name)
  

Tips to improve your search results:

• Searching on just a surname will ensure that you don't miss any potential records for your ancestor, but remember that no more than 25 results from each source will be displayed.  From the results page, you can select a source in the "Sources Searched" column to see all of the results from that search.

• For common surnames you will get better results if you use an individual's first name and last name in your search.

• Try filling in additional fields to narrow your search even further.  Try them one at a time, however, or you may find yourself "narrowed" right out of any matches!

• You can use any combination of the spouses or parent's first name or last name with the individual's first name and last name.

• Try searching for children of the same parents by entering the father's first and last name and the mother's first name (the mother's last name is optional)

• When you choose "Use Exact Spelling" you cannot list Spouse, Parents, Event, Year, or Country.

Finally, keep in mind as you find information in these databases, that the information is not guaranteed to be accurate.  It is best to go to the original source documents for any information that you find in the IGI, and to the submitters of the data for Ancestral File,  Pedigree Resource File, and for personal Web sites.  The real value of the information that you find is in the clues that it provides, which can lead to other sources for further research. 

Part Two
Part 2 of this series introduces a genealogy research aid, Research Guidance, which is especially useful when you can't find the information you are looking for online or when you need help in determining which records to search.

Part Three
Part 3 of this series explains how to use the Family History Library Catalog to find census records, ships passenger lists, vital records, family histories, bible records, and much more!

Part Four
Come explore another great research option on the FamilySearch Web site, Research Helps.  Here's the scoop on what these tools can do for you, with step-by-step instructions on how to make the most of them in your genealogy research!

Part Five
An insiders look into Family History Centers - what they are, how to use them, and a virtual tour with a Family History Center volunteer. Learn why these are the best genealogy resource you have!

Let me know what you thought of this article or if you have requests for new ones.

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