Unveiling Our Unified Search Engine
Our new search engine will transform your experience on our website, bringing all our historical records together in one place. Previously, since our website's establishment in 2015/2016, baptism, marriage, burial records, census data, and newspaper articles were isolated in separate sections. To find a specific individual, you had to hop between three different sections. We understand this was less than ideal and often tedious.
Our new, intuitive search engine simplifies this process. Now, you can search for an individual across all our records in one go, saving you time and making your research far more efficient.
A Quick Guide to Using Our Search Engine
We've designed our search engine to be as user-friendly as possible. Here's a quick rundown:
- You can enter a forename, a surname, both, or neither, then hit "Search".
- For more tailored results, click "show/hide advanced search options". Here, you can specify the record types, choose how many records to view per page, or filter results by a range of years.
- If you're searching within baptism records, there's an extra feature - you can also input the father's or mother's forename. This feature will soon be available for marriage records as well.
The most exciting part? Our search engine is phonetic. You don't need to try countless variations of spellings. We understand the challenges of Romany & Traveller research and have designed this feature to make finding ancestors much simpler.
Understanding Your Search Results
The results page is intuitive and organized. Results are listed chronologically, accompanied by a color-coded shape indicating the record type. This visual guide aids quick identification, while also catering to those with color vision deficiencies.
Below the record name, you'll find related locations, all clickable links leading to a page of records from the same place. An "eye" icon at the end of each result row allows you to view the full record.
Visualizing History with Our Interactive Map
Every search results page includes an interactive map, enabling you to visualize where the events occurred. It's simple to zoom in, out and explore more about each marker, providing an immersive and engaging way to delve into your historical research. Our map feature is accessible on all devices, with easy-to-use controls to enhance your experience.
Whether you're using our platform for professional research or personal interest, we believe our new search engine will revolutionize your historical journey.
