Project 4: Discover

1. In the Search Results screen, view the entries and find one that seems to match the ancestor you are looking for. A brief sample is shown here. You can also change the values in the search fields (top of the page) and redo the search.
2. In the Name column, click the person's name. A record information panel appears with additional information about the record.
3. To open a record details window. click the "View record details" icon (right edge).
4. In the full record details window you can click Save (save to Source Box, copy full record, or print full record), Edit (if available, to change info in the record) or Share (copy the link and send via email).
5. You can do the following additional things in the record window:
   • Click any name link to see more information about relatives of the person searched for, including "Open All" to see parent and sibling information.
   • View the record image, if available (right side).
   • View document information, including links for GS film number and digital folder number, etc., if available.
   • Copy the citation listed.
   • Click the Source Linker icon (right side) to attach the source record to the person in the tree. For details about attaching records, see Choice B in Goal 9 of Project 1: Family Tree.
   • View similar records for the person searched for (right side).
6. To view the attached tree person (if any) for the record, click the tree icon for the name.

Filtering and Preferences

1. To filter your search results,
   a) Click a filter button (near the top of the screen): Collection, Sex, Race, Birth, Marriage, Death, Other, or Residence;
   b) Select a category button in the small window (tabs may be available for more selections); and
   c) Click Apply.
2. To change the display format for the search results, click the Preferences tab. When you change an option, you can see the format updated in the window to the left. The following options are available:
   • Format—Select Fixed Table or Data Sheet.
   • Display Information—Select Minimal, Default, or All Information.
   • Language Options—Select Translated Text or Original Text.
   • Export Search Results—a) Select the button for the data format of the export; b) Select the number of results to be captured; and c) Click Export Results .
3. If you need to reset all the search fields to the defaults, click Reset All (bottom).

Resources

1. For more information on the Similar Historical Records feature, read the article.
   
   FS—Record Searches Easier with New Tool - 2019


2. Print and copy information from historical records.
   
   FS—How do I print record details in Historical Records? - 2020
   FS—How do I copy record details from Historical Records? - 2020


3. Learn about using export results in this article.
   
   FS—How do I export my search results in Historical Records? - 2020


4. Save record images to your computer so you can study them in detail later.
   
   FS—How do I download historical record images? - 2020

1. To see search results in historical records for the selected person, in the Search box click FamilySearch.
2. In the Records tab that appears, look through the list of ancestors to find the one that most closely matches the one you want.
3. In the View column at the right, click the document icon or camera icon (if available) for more information.
   
4. In the left pane, you can refine your search by choosing different options.
5. To restrict your search to specific record collections,
   a) Click the Collections tab;
   b) Select the record collections you want to use; and
   c) Click the "Filter These Results" button.
6. If you have Partner access, you can use the Partner links (under Search Record on the right) to search for records:
   a) Click one of the Partner links (Ancestry, MyHeritage, etc.); and
   b) Click OK at the prompt about accessing an outside site. You will see a search result screen for the Partner you selected.

Resources

1. Here are additional details on how to search for records from the Person page.
   
   FS—Searching for Additional Records from the FamilySearch Person Page—4:47 - 2016
   
   
   FS—How do I search historical records for an ancestor in Family Tree? - 2020


2. For tips on using search filters in this screen, read this article.
   
   FS—Using Search Filters in FamilySearch.org - 2013


3. Watch this video to learn more about using record collections.
   
   FS—Find More Records in FamilySearch under Collections—3:03 - 2016
   
   
   


4. Here are some additional record search tips.
   
   FS—Record Search Tips on FamilySearch —3:26
   RT—Records/Research Intro Video—3:58 - 2021