Google Search Hints for Genealogists http://searchforancestors.com/archives/google.html *********************************************** Google has recently changed its algorithm to make a number of improvements to the way it retrieves search results. To get the best results from your genealogy searches, it is helpful to understand how Google now works. Google now uses stemming. Google will search not only for your search terms, but also for variations of the words. This brand new Google feature means that, among other things, google will now give results for the plural and singular of the query words you enter. So, now, if you search for the query Philadelphia churches, Google will give search results for web pages that contain both Philadelphia church and Philadelphia churches. If you are looking for web pages with contain only the word churches and not church, search for Philadelphia +churches. By putting a plus sign before the word, Google will skip all web pages with variations of the word, and will give results only with that word. Notice that there is no space after the plus sign. Experiment with this query using Philadelphia churches and Philadelphia +churches, or use your own query, to notice the subtle difference in search results with and without the plus sign. ********************************************** There are now two ways to find word definitions using Google. --To use Google's dictionary, type a word into the Google search box. Click Search, then click on your word on the blue bar on the Google results page, after the words [ searched the web for ]. Google will give the definition using Dictionary.com. --Google has always had a dictionary, but now you can type in the word [ define ] followed by a space, and then the word or phrase you want defined. For example: [ define algorithm ] or [ define apoplexy ] or [ define inst ] or [ define wheelwright ]. Google will give the web definition at the top of the search results. You can also click on "More definitions" for further variations, and the web sites where the definitions are found. Both are great for: --Antiquated disease names, such as apoplexy, dropsy, phthisis, or quinsy. --Acronyms found on old documents or obituaries such as IOOF or AOH. --Names for old-fashioned occupations such as cordwainer or wheelwright. --Latin terms such as ab nepos. --Terms found in old documents such as perch or rod. ************************************************* The tilde ~ (that squiggly line that is on the very upper left of your keyboard to the left of the number 1 key) is Google's newest operand. Now you can search not only for a particular keyword, but also for its synonyms. Indicate a search for both by placing the tilde sign ("~") immediately in front of the keyword. A search for ~genealogy will now give results for genealogy, family history and family tree. A search for ~obits will now give results including obits, obituaries, and death notices. Try your query word with and without the tilde to notice the variation in search results. ************************************************** When using Google, watch your abbreviations! Google searches for the *exact* word entered. If you search for a location name, it searches for web pages that contain that name. If in your search query, you use the location abbreviation, Google doesn't convert the abbreviation to the whole name, but rather searches only for web pages that use the location abbreviation only! For example, Google does not consider Pennsylvania and PA to be the same. If you type in PA, Google will search for those pages with PA only, and your search will miss all the web pages that use the word Pennsylvania. Try searching Google for [ PA genealogy ], then [Pennsylvania genealogy], (or substitute your own location name and abbreviation), and compare the different results for each search. Using the abbreviated location name to search for current addresses such as a historical society can sometimes be successful, but if it doesn't bring results, be sure to try the full name. However, when searching for transcriptions of old data, you can widen your search by using the old-fashioned abbreviation. Here's a list of the old style US state abbreviations. http://searchforancestors.com/archives/oldstateabb.html It's not just locations where you should watch abbreviations. Don't use abbreviations for descriptive keywords for your Google queries. Many people get no matches on their site searches because they use abbreviated words such a regt or reg't for regiment, or co for company. Google does not think that regiment and regt are the same. If you abbreviate a search keyword, you won't get complete and accurate search results. In this case, Google will only give results of web pages that use the abbreviation regt only, and you will miss all the web pages that use the word regiment. ************************************************* Google Directory If you want to search with a query for the broad subject matter such as Ireland genealogy, enter that search term into the Google search box. When you get the search results, go immediately to the tab on the top of the results that says "directory" and click on it. The directory is a human-edited classified listing of URLs. This is different from regular Google search results which are retrieved based on a computer search algorithm or formula . And sometimes that human touch helps weed out irrelevant results when you are searching for a broad category. When you perform the Ireland genealogy search click on the directory, Google lists Genuki first, which is exactly where you should head if you are searching Irish Genealogy. Google next list the National Archives of Ireland and other important sites to search Irish genealogy. Click on Regional Europe Ireland Society and Culture Genealogy at the top of the Google page. This takes you inside the Google directory. Try this with your own location. Here's the Google Directory for genealogy http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Genealogy/ Head over to the human-edited Google directory, click around on the different categories, and take a good look around. ************************************************** here are more Google Search Hints for Genealogists http://searchforancestors.com/archives/google.html http://www.mdwsweb.com/genealogylists