SEARCHING - FURTHER INFORMATION 

Searching is straightforward. There are three methods for searching: 

Note: When performing a search on fully transcribed material you will have to enter data in at least one field.

All searching is FREE. However there are certain databases which require payment to see the search results.

To see which databases are free please Click here 

SEARCHING GRO INDEXES 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983

For the period between 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983 the images are not fully transcribed however they are indexed on surname and forename range only i.e. the first surname and forename and the last surname and forename on the images and the name you are searching may appear between the two.

The database will locate all those images and usually display one page per quarter per year where the surname may appear. Therefore when you select “view image” on the search results page all the names from the first surname to the last surname will appear in alphabetical order on the image.

If the image in the site tour example of John Murray was viewed, John Murray would be found between James Murray and George Musgrave Births 1921 3^rd quarter. 

The district search map facility is not available for the period 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983 as the indexes are not fully transcribed.

For further information on searching the period between 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983 read on.

GRO RANGE SEARCH 1921-1983 FURTHER INFORMATION  

Problem

I cannot find the Surname or entry in the 1921-1983 period that I wanted. Why is this?

Answer

For the period 1921 to 1983 the images are partially transcribed on surname and forename range. Please note that this period is not fully transcribed and therefore not all features are available. For example Districts, Mother's Maiden Name, Spouse's Maiden Name, Date of Birth and Age at Death is not available. However it does allow the user to search for their family relatives and will locate all those images where the surname may appear. It will usually display one page per quarter per year. The user will then have to view the image to see whether their family relative appears on those particular pages. 

There is no charge for the search results page for the period 1921-1983 although there is a small charge for viewing the images.

Therefore if one were to search for the Birth of the Surname: Murray, Forename: John for the year 1921. The results would be displayed as shown on the image.

For more indepth Search please CLICK HERE

GRO BMD RECORDS 1866 to 1920 Fully Transcribed

Records between 1866 and 1920 have been fully transcribed and are fully searchable. The system will find the exact query match, a search results page will display 20 matching records at a cost of 2 units per page for example if there were 60 matching records these would equate to 3 pages or 6 units - if all 3 pages are viewed.

Familyrelatives.org is unique as the records from 1866 to 1920 are fully transcribed; the records can be searched precisely by Surname, forename, maiden name, spouse’s name, district, area and age at death. This facility enables you to locate the name of a person in any district using any of the above criteria in a matter of seconds. 

It is simpler and faster to use than a partially transcribed database - for example one could sift through 216 quarters or search just once and locate a family relative in minutes. Furthermore the transcribed data is complete – that is to say all the years between 1866-1920 have been fully transcribed – the equivalent of 162 years for all events – this is an invaluable resource that gives researchers the confidence that the records have been thoroughly searched. 

In addition Familyrelatives.org provides a Marriage Match and Marriage Booster search facility that enables you to locate that “hard to find spouse” before 1912 (when spouses’ surnames began to appear in the records) or the Booster Marriage which will locate the year in which two people were married by entering their Surname and Spouse name which is remarkable and makes searching easier and faster to use. Familyrelatives.org also allows researchers to pick up where they left off at no additional cost thereby giving exceptional value for money. 

GRO BMD RECORDS 1984 to 2004 

Records between 1984 and 2004 are fully transcribed and are fully searchable. The system will find the exact query match. There are no images for this period.

BROWSE GRO BMD IMAGES 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983

As well as being able to search on the first and last surname of an image we have introduced a “Browse image” facility for the period 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983.

The “Browse image” facility allows you to browse images by selecting the event Birth, Marriage or Death. Click on the + or symbol to open each folder.

Select the decade then year and select the quarter, next select the letter of the Surname you wish to view

A table will open with the Surname range of the letter selected. The surname range is the first transcribed surname and the last transcribed surname of the image. The name you are looking for may appear between the two names and click “view image”.

For example, if we are looking for John Murray’s Birth in 1921 Jul/Aug/Sept the 3^rd quarter. We select the Births folder, the years 1921 – 1929, select the year 1921 and the 3^rd quarter.

Select M on the alphabet menu bar and there are 6 result pages with the letter M.

 Murray will be on the last page, go to page 6 and John Murray would be found between James Murray and George Musgrave click on the image to verify this information and locate the John Murray name.

NOTES to searching;

If the name does not appear in a quarter try a different quarter or year.

Make sure you have downloaded the DJVu viewer to view images.

Click on the page number to select the next records page.

The image Browse facility is similar to browsing folders in Windows Explorer.

Use the Back button at the bottom of the Search Results to go back to the Search Page.

DJVU VIEWER

Please make sure you have the DJVu viewer installed prior to viewing images.

We have recently updated the information site that should assist you with downloading the DJVu viewer, the site also contains frequently asked technical questions and can be found at the following link; http://www.familyrelatives.info/DJVU.htm

WILDCARD SEARCH TIP

A wild card search can be used in any of the fields using a minimum of one character plus the wildcard except the Surname field where a minimum of two characters plus the wildcard are required e.g. An%. However this would produce many search results, although for example searching for Anth% (Anthony) would be more productive and accurate. Please note the "wildcard" symbol is % and not *. 

Please click on the following link for further information on the Wildcard search function;

https://www.familyrelatives.org/treequest/jsp/customer/post_sitetour2.htm#11

SEARCH TIP

We recommend that a second forename is not inserted in the first name search field as a second forename search functionality is currently not supported.

Please note that queries regarding Searching are covered in the Technical Support and Customer Service Index page.

WEBSITE TOUR

Please take a few minutes to view the site tour which can be found at the following link, this may help your searching requirements

https://www.familyrelatives.org/treequest/jsp/customer/pre_sitetour2.htm#12

MY ACCOUNT – view previous searches

Familyrelatives provides a My Account feature as well as being able to print and save images, My Account allows you to track account usage and view previously searched for names and images, on the menu bar click on My Account and View My Searches and click on Names you have searched at no charge. Searches in your account remain available for 3 months.