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Archiver > ADVANCED-RESEARCH > 2007-01 > 1169602600
From: leoandlinda <>
Subject: Re: [ADVANRES] Searching issues (Newspapers on line) +how to searchfor names like *Weeks* or *Brown*
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:37:11 -0500
References: <BAY117-F40B205EED0C4CD87CD0BAFB4AE0@phx.gbl><011c01c73f0b$4664f4c0$6601a8c0@lisab3c40a8b02><520b3e20701231032l6220a21asa7aaf04b3d03147c@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <520b3e20701231032l6220a21asa7aaf04b3d03147c@mail.gmail.com>
I thought I had some great tricks on narrowing down searches for names
that are also standard nouns or common place names (I have Ward, Hall,
Hunt, Peck, Francisco, and others.), but ""Book"" absolutely has me
beat! <wry grins>. I'm glad this family is not mine, no offense
meant. I didn't even attempt Bright and Dark and Story.......
For other folks who haven't got these real killers, I do have a couple
of tips. First, always go to the advanced search option whenever
available. Different search engines may have different things that
can help. "Enforce case" if possible, which means you at least only
get the Hunts that are capitalized. Use the "and not" option when
available, and use it freely. Use the "and at least one of these"
option, ditto.
Be sure to read thru their 'search tips'. Many have options for plus
and minus terms, minus being 'not' and + being 'and'. Sometimes
'Peck -movie -actor -bushel +genealogy' can help <grin>.
If a Boolean search option is available , read their search tips and
use it. It sounds much scarier than it really is. It can be
*incredibly* helpful in narrowing things down. Read thru the search
tips, and give it a try. There are different versions of syntax, but
about the worst that it gets for a pretty complex search is (Joseph OR
James) AND (Carrick OR Cerrick OR Kerrick OR Karrick OR Kurrick) AND
(MO OR Missouri) AND (genealogy OR history OR family). Sort of like
basic algebra where the + and - need to be AND or OR and in capital
letters.
Google does a fair job of simplifying a Boolean search in their
advanced search, but I do lust after *two* levels of "at least one of
the words", instead of just one. I use their "without the words"
heavily. They also have a way to limit *time range*.... Very nice
and very helpful.
So I can search for Francisco 1850..1930
With one of the words genealogy or family or history or census
And without San or earthquake.
But 'Book'.......... There just were not enough delimiters to pare
the search down to something at all manageable. You have my sincere
sympathy. Ye Gods and little fishes! [To quote my great-great aunt].
Linda
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