Good tip, Thanks -----Original Message----- From: Darrell Smith <dsmith@mis.net> To: KYGREENU-L@rootsweb.com <KYGREENU-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Saturday, May 23, 1998 4:03 PM Subject: [KYGREENU-L] Well, Well, Well >Carter and Greenup researchers, > >Good afternoon. I wanted to let everyone know that the Kentucky Death >Index at the University of Kentucky as been upgraded! You can now search >by given and surname as well as limit the county! > >Warning! Be sure to read the directions for the page. I searched for 5 or >6 names in Carter County and the search engine continued to return results >for all KY counties. I almost gave up, but then I noticed you could access >a list for places of death. > >Carter is CARTR >and >Greenup is GRNUP > >Once I used the correct syntax my queries worked just fine! Also, make >sure that the second drop down dialog box contains the phrase "Place of >Death" before you enter the death county in the second dialog box or it >will not work. >I accidentally entered CARTR in the second dialog box but forgot to set the >drop down box to the left of the input field. > >You can also search by Residence at the time of death, but Place of Death >generally yields higher results. > >I have ordered over 100 certificates in the past and was on a dry spell, >until this morning. In about 30 minutes I located 20 more to order :-) > >Give it a try at > >http://ukcc.uky.edu/%7evitalrec/ > >I have also learned a few tips when searching for ancestors. > >1. Try variations of the surname: > Example: Colley/Coley/Collie > You'll be surprised how many times you find an ancestor with a varient > spelling > >2. If you can't find a person you know should be listed, try searching with >just the first letter of the first name. > > Example: Instead of John Stephens, try J Stephens > You'll be surprised how many times they'll be listed as J L Stephens > >3. Don't use periods, they simply don't help > Example: John L. Smith should just be John L Smith > >4. Don't search for full names. Most records are only listed by first and >last name. > >In close, don't give up easily! I searched for an Abraham Maddix one day >for almost a half hour before I found him. > >His name was spelled with the Maddix varient. However, his given name was >spelled Abehram [sic]! > >If you still have no luck finding your ancestor, try adjacent states. >Folks in North Eastern Kentucky would be wise to check OH (Scioto and >Lawrence) and WV (Cabell) as our ancestors moved back and forth from those >areas (and others). > >Thanks and good luck! > >Darrell >-- >Darrell Smith >dsmith@mis.net > >