13.3 Two Final Types of Searches

Before beginning to write a research report, take a few minutes to explore another way to find information about places. FamilySearch has a Place Research Tool1 to assist with research on non-specific places, like cities, counties, countries, or other general jurisdictions. This is different than specific place searches, like ones for a particular hospital or school. It is a search that could yield some background information, statistical data, or other items of interest for the research report.

When first learning about record searches, it was made clear that general searches on the big four are to be avoided. Early in the project, it was important for students to learn to use the more targeted search features, especially on FamilySearch. However, there are limited times when it is smart to use the general search; this is one of those times. At the end of a project, it is wise to conduct some general searches and make sure that nothing obvious has been missed. FamilySearch is a large repository with billions of records which may yield hundreds of thousands of results to one query. At the beginning of a family history project, the researcher probably did not have enough information to know which of those many records applied to the family. Going through them may have been futile or frustrating at the onset of the research process. After so many weeks of studying the documents, the genealogist has an intimate knowledge of the family and the understanding to be able to recognize whether or not a record is applicable. It is time to use that knowledge.