Search
The search engine is the quickest way to find records stored on this site.
- Recommended search technique: To match a phrase within several words, use braces { around the words }. A search for {john smith} will find "smith john, john joseph smith," etc.
- Hint: Because of misspellings or misinterpretation of old handwritten records, it is a
good idea to try alternate spellings.
Advanced Search
Control Word Stemming, Accent Sensitivity, Case Sensitivity, etc using Advanced Search.
Search Tips
In addition, there are several ways to modify the default search behavior.
- phrase search
The search engine supports three types of phrase search.
- To match an exact phrase, use quotes around the phrase
Examples: "John Smith" or "Smith John"
- To match a near (within a couple of words) phrase, use square brackets [around the
words]
Example: [research help resources]
- To match a far (within several words) phrase, use braces { around the words }
Example: {john smith}
- + and - qualifiers
If you prepend a word with + that word is required to be on the page.
If you prepend a word with - that word is required to not be
on the page.
Example: +always -never
- * wildcard
If a query word ends with a * all words on a page which start the same
way as that query word will match.
Example: gift*
- ? wildcard
If a query word contains a ? any character will match that position.
Example: b?g
- boolean search
You can use the following boolean operators in your search: AND, OR, NOT. These operators
MUST be in capital letters.
Example: (contact AND us) OR (about AND us)
All of these techniques can be combined: +alway* -ne??r*
