This I found this AM going thru some digests. If you have or know this find for others I hope this is a vital tip for research. Beej in AZ Subject: Vital Records database searches From: FmlyTracer@aol.com For those folks who have been having problems searching vital records databases on GenWeb, you might be interested in reading this information. Sharon ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is for those of you who use the Vital Records database as a research tool or as a cemetery verification tool. Occasionally circumstances require using the first name and year date fields only. If the given name exceeds 7 letters...there is a problem. Truncation. EXAMPLE: Search first name Marshall, year 1970. The database will return no results. Search first name Marsh*, year 1970. The database will return 24 results with Marshall truncated as MARSHAL and MARSHLL. (plus the MARSHAs) EXAMPLE: Search first name Virginia, year 1966. The database will return no results. Search first name Virg*, year 1966. The database will return 75 results with Virginia truncated to VIRGNIA and VIRGINI. The problem is that this is limiting and you must be aware of it...if you search for Marshall Garrett in 1970, the computer will return no results...although a search for Garrett in 1970 will turn up Marshal Garrett. Likewise, searching for Virginia Thompson in 1966 will turn up no results...although a search for Thompson in 1966 will turn up Virgnia Thompson. Correction of the problem is long and hard and involves many names and much data. For the time being, knowing the truncation is out there, and knowing how to avoid it or work around it, will turn up some of those misses we've been having. George C. -- OWEN Co, Ky http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyowen2/owen.html CARROLL Co, Ky http://www.rootsweb.com/~kycarrol/Carroll.html GALLATIN Co, Ky http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygallat/Gallatin.html SPACELIGHT http://gwillick.tripod.com/sffobit.html JAZZLIGHT http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/2350