Google Tips for Genealogy: Spelling

When you use Google you are searching an index of web pages found on the Internet. Keep in mind who publishes those web pages: fellow genealogists, cousins . . .human beings. Are human beings consistent with spelling? Nope. Do human beings make mistakes? You bet. Does every human being use his or her spell-checker? I wish.

Variant Spellings, Misspellings, and Typos:

When searching on names we have learned (or are learning) to look for all variant spellings of given names, surnames, and place names. For example, when looking for Anderson you should also look for Andersen, Andersson, Anderssen, and possibly just Anders, etc. The same goes for keywords or phrases that you might use in a search. So, when looking for one word/phrase also look for misspellings or typos for that word, such as:

• genealogy --> geneology, geneaology, genology
• ancestry --> ancestory
• family history --> family histroy
• cemetery --> cemetary

Other Languages:

Remember to use words and phrases from languages other than your own, particularly those from the country of origin for your ancestors. If you are looking for your Swedish ancestor use Swedish words in your searches. For example, use translation software or tools like the FamilySearch word lists to locate the Swedish words for birth (födda, födde, född, födelse), burial (begravning), wife (hustru, maka), etc.

Build Your Queries:

You need to build a series of possible search queries based on various spellings, words, and phrases. The queries can be stored in a document on your computer and used over and over again each time you sit down to Google your ancestors. Just copy and paste them when you are ready to search. So, using my previous (simple) Peter Johnson example, I would start to build a series of several queries like this:

• genealogy peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• geneology peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• geneaology peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• genology peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• "family history" peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• "family histroy" peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• "family tree" peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• ancestry peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• ancestory peter johnson iowa sweden
  
• genealogy peter johnsen iowa sweden
  
• geneology peter johnsen iowa sweden
  
• geneaology peter johnsen iowa sweden
  
• genology peter johnsen iowa sweden
  
• "family history" peter johnsen iowa sweden
  
• "family histroy" peter johnsen iowa sweden
  
• "family tree" peter johnsen iowa sweden
  
• ancestry peter johnsen iowa sweden
  
• ancestory peter johnsen iowa sweden

As you can see above it would be possible to come up with dozens of variant queries to try out based on combinations of misspellings, typos, and more.

Google Tips for Genealogy: The Basics

The first time you went to the library you had to learn how to use the card catalog. The first time you went to the archives or a Family History Center you had to learn how to use a microfilm reader. So, you should take time to learn how to use another important research tool: Google.

1. Take time to read the Help files at
   http://www.google.com/support/?ctx=web
2. Start by reading the Basics, even if you think you've already had enough experience using Google. It is never too late to learn something new.
3. Read the Advanced search help files to learn a new trick or two.
4. Keep a research workbook open on your computer (a word processing file for your research notes) while you are visiting web sites.
5. Copy and paste directly from the web browser window to your notes the search terms you use, the sets of results you get back, ideas you have for future searches, etc. Keep a running log of what you are doing so that when you step away from the computer you can later pick up again where you left off.

Basic Search:

• Google is not case-sensitive for keywords, so uppercase or lowercase letters will each return the same results. Boolean operators are case-sensitive (AND, OR, NOT).
• Google automatically uses "and" in the query, returning hits that include all of your keywords.
• Google allows up to 10 words to be used in a search. Use your 10 words wisely.
• Use distinct keywords unique to your query: a place name, a unique given name or surname, a year, etc.
• Don't use common words or phrases such as: the, of, is, but (these waste your 10 words)
  For example, instead of The Genealogy of the Johnson Family in Iowa enter a simpler, more specific query with unique keywords such as:
  genealogy peter johnson iowa sweden

A Slightly More Advanced Search:

• Place quotes around a set of words to keep them together as an exact phrase. In the example above I would use them if I want to be sure to get returns that include exactly the name "peter johnson"
• Use + in front of a search term to insure it is included (although Google does default to assume this)
• Use - in front of a search term to exclude a keyword or a phrase. In my example I could exclude possible hits returned that might include Norway:
  genealogy peter johnson iowa sweden -norway
• Use OR in a phrase to include results, but not necessarily all of the words in your query. In my example I could use OR to look for variant spellings on the surname:
  genealogy "peter johnson" OR "peter johnsen" iowa sweden

I will post more Google Tips for Genealogy in the days to come . . . in the meantime visit my Googling for Grandma page for links.

Cyndi

Ancestry's Free Databases - More Than I Realized

I have a links category called Ancestry.com-The Basics. I created it a while back for several reasons: to draw attention to the numerous freely accessible resources available to everyone through Ancestry, and to point out how to subscribe and unsubscribe from their services (after hearing from people who stated they couldn't figure out how to do so).

In reviewing some of the many databases at Ancestry I noticed that they have highlighted several of them with a "FREE" tag next to the title. So, tonight I added a new section to my page for "Free Databases" and I started adding links. I have to say I'm really surprised how many there are. I just barely scratched the surface tonight, browsing through the first 900 out of 24,778. I didn't realize the number was so big. I have 29 new links to free databases already. Obviously I have more work ahead of me. In the meantime these links should keep you busy!

Search Engines on Cyndi's List

I have 4 search engine options on Cyndi's List. You can find them here:

www.CyndisList.com/searchit.htm

What's the difference between each of the search engines? Why do I need more than one? Why don't I want you to use the search engines?

1. They are each free. OK, that isn't a difference, that is a similarity. Since they are free I thought it wouldn't hurt to offer all of them for you to choose from.
2. All search engines work differently from one another. So, having more than one option seems like a good idea. You might get different search results using the same keyword(s).
3. Everyone's favorite tends to be Google. So, the Google search engine box is the default and can be found at the top right corner of every page on Cyndi's List.
4. The Google index of Cyndi's List is updated frequently.
5. The FreeFind & WebSideStory indexes of Cyndi's List are updated once a week.
6. The PicoSearch index of Cyndi's List is updated whenever Cyndi remembers to do it.

For years I fought the idea of having a search engine on Cyndi's List. The whole purpose of a categorized index of links is to...uh...browse the links found in the categories. From the very beginning I found that people who browse the categories end up tripping across a new topic or idea they hadn't thought of before in their research. I also found that many people were learning more and more about how to do their research by discovering specific topics or record types. So, browsing the categories is preferable.

Further, most people who solely use searching by keywords in their research are most likely only surname hunting. which means they are missing all the other possibilities out there. Or they are searching for something so incredibly specific that they miss the other important things they may help them. For example, I have heard from people who are looking for, but can't find, a ship that their ancestor immigrated on. They try looking for the name of the ship using a search engine on my site. Then they complain to me when they can't find it. It doesn't seem to occur to them that the information for that ship might not actually be online. Or might not yet be indexed by me. Or that they might have the wrong name for the ship. By limiting themselves to the search engine and just searching by keyword they miss browsing more than 700 other links I have for ship passenger lists, including numerous links to helpful articles or libraries or archives that will actually LEAD them to the ship of their ancestor.

That is why I don't want you to rely solely on search engines. And that is why I still categorize links every day. Browse the categories. Please! After years of getting requests I finally gave in and put the search engines on the site. You people just wore me down. Give each of them a try, but don't forget about the categories. . .browse, browse, browse!