New Strategies When Using Full-text Search at FamilySearch

Full-text search has been a game-changer in genealogy research because it pulls up names and phrases in documents that have no index. I have found some great treasures using it in my own family research.

However, after using it for the past year, I realized that not all records are searched using this new tool. So I have a strategy I use.

First, use the FamilySearch catalog to get to the place of interest.

Second, check the type of record you’re interested in and see if they are digital (ie. a camera is showing) and that they are not locked from home. If the camera is showing a lock, then full-text won’t show any results from those films while viewing from home.

For the court records in Erath County, I see some of the films are locked and some are open from home.

Third, check that the symbol of a sheet of paper with the + sign is showing. That means the film is full-text searchable. If there is no symbol, then those records won’t turn up in a search. In the image above, the last four records are open to view and are available for full-text search. 

I make a list of those records that have a lock on the camera for my next trip to a FamilySearch Center or an affiliate library. When looking at the catalog at a FamilySearch Center, if the locked films are now viewable, the full-text symbol will likely be there, too.

Another hint: you can do a full-text search on a single film by clicking on the full-text symbol right at the catalog entry. I clicked on the full-text symbol for the second power of attorney above.

At this point, I then use the edit search to enter my search parameters. 

One more tip. Patty Hankins has taken this step even further, but comparing results from full-text search at home to those at the FamilySearch Center, and had AI create a spreadsheet showing the two groups separated, so she can concentrate only on the returns at the FamilySearch Center while there. Once at a FamilySearch Center, all the available returns will include both open and locked films. There is a little note at the top of the screen that does say you are reviewing a restricted film. Check out how she created the list here.

Hope these tips help in your use of Full-text Search at FamilySearch.

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