Author Archives: Site Admin

Flip Flop Those Names

When searching first and last names in a database, consider interchanging the first and last names. It can easily happen in the creation of a database or in the taking of the census. The chance is slightly higher if the first and last names are ones that could “go either way.”

If your ancestor was named Johnson Gibson, is there a chance he is listed somewhere as Gibson Johnson?

Use Advanced Searches If Possible

Unless I am searching for an extremely unusual name, I always determine if a site has an advanced search page. Being able to search on as many fields in the database gives me more flexibility and allows for more creative searches than just ones conducted on first names.

Experiment with What You Know is in There

When learning how a new database search interface works, experiment with wildcards and other search functions using names you have already located in the database. This is the best way to learn how search terms work, especially when the FAQ page is not well-written or non-existent.

Tips re working on 1940 Census on FamilySearch

Forget-Me-Not » To view other areas of the census image, click & drag rather than scroll.
» When you download a 1940 cenus image from FamilySearch.org, the filename is “record image”. Be sure to rename immediately.
» Suggest determining a naming convention such as 1940census-DoeJohn-Etowah-AL.jpg. Do not change the extension or the file becomes unreadable.

First two tips from “The Toolkit” article in Family Tree Magazine, July/August 2012, Vol. 13, Issue 5, p. 68. Forget-Me-Not, an original clip art from NanaEllen.com.

How much difference does a letter make?

Remember that a “one-letter” typo can make all the difference. An “a” at the end of Johann can make it Johanna, not only changing the name but also changing the gender.