Using Google to Research
Your Family Tree
- An Introduction By
Colin A Ackehurst
Melb PC Club – Peninsula Genealogy Group
Based on the Google search processes referred
to in the book
“Google Your Family Tree”
By Daniel M. Lynch
Overview
This demonstration is an introduction to the
efficient use of basic Google search
processes to obtain additional information
for your family history research.
It will cover the use of keywords with
basic and advanced search operators so as
to filter results to obtain maximum benefits.
The use of automated searches that are
used as Google Alerts will be explained.
Keywords
• The most basic Google search ingredient is called
a “keyword” – a word representing the search
topic.
• Rather than just using a single “keyword” you
may get more and better results by using multiple
keywords (a keyword phrase) and perhaps special
commands or operators.
• Some examples are shown on the following
slides.
Keyword Searches
Google Web Search Query
ackehurst
Results (No. of Hits)
6,400
ackehurst family
“colin ackehurst”
253
Keyword Phrases for Genealogy
• The table on the preceding slide shows that even
the most basic keywords or phrases can be used
alone, or in combinations, to filter literally
thousands of results and deliver meaningful
pages.
• Phrases that relate to People, places, dates,
events and data will be among the most useful
keyword phrases when structuring a query.
• Different surnames may require careful
consideration particularly common names.
Case Insensitive
• In general Google is case insensitive and will
deliver the same results regardless of the
combination of upper and lower case letters you
use.
Google Web Search Query
No. of Results
ackehurst
6,400
Ackehurst
6,400
AckeHurSt
6,400
Automatic ‘AND’
• Google will process multiple keyword searches
as though each keyword is preceded by the word
‘AND’. Note that while all keywords will be
present in the results they will not necessarily
have any relevance to one another.
No. of Results
Ordering Keywords
• Google returns different results based on the
ordering of keywords. If your search yields few
or nil results try reversing the keyword order.
Keyword Variations
• Google uses a technique called stemming in
which it searches for the keyword and variations
depending on the nature of the query.
• Variations may include the plural form of the
original keyword as well as past, present or future
tenses.
• Genealogists commonly search for deceased
ancestors so a search for “died” would also yield
results for “die" and “dies”.
Commands /Search Operators
• There are many commands (search operators)
that will direct Google to filter through billions of
records to retrieve those with the highest degree
of relevance for any query.
• Knowledge of how to use these commands is
critical to success in using Google for maximum
assistance in researching your family history.
Command: “ ”
• The Command “ ”, requires placing quotation
marks directly around two or more keywords to
seek results containing exactly the keywords
contained within the quotation marks and in
precisely the same order and proximity to one
another as they appear in your original query.
Google Web Search Query No. of Results
“colin ackehurst”
253
“ackehurst colin”
49
Command: * (wildcard)
• The placement of a single asterisk within quotation
marks serves as a wildcard requiring searches to
accept any character or consecutive string of
characters in place of the wildcard.
• This command can pick up middle initials or middle
names which can be very useful for genealogists.
Command: OR
• Use the word OR between keywords to find results
with any of your query’s keywords.
• If you have frequent variant surname spellings the OR
operator can be helpful in capturing all possible
results.
• Queries that combine AND, OR and quotation marks
can yield useful filtered results for family historians.
Command: -(negative)
• The negative function can be performed by using a
minus (-) symbol directly in front of a word, phrase or
command.
• Queries submitted with the minus symbol will remove
all results pages containing the specified word or
phrase.
• The minus symbol should not have a space after it.
Google Web Search Query
ackehurst -england
No. of Results
Command: +(plus sign)
• The plus (+) symbol is used to find results with pages
containing exactly the word specified and not those
with any variants of the keyword.
• Preceding a keyword with + has the same effect as
placing that word in quotes.
Google Web Search Query
“colin ackehurst” +book
etchingham +“railway station”
No. of Results
76
209,000
+
c
h
u
Command: ~ (tilde)
• The tilde (~) symbol is used to find similar words for a
specific keyword.
• This command is especially useful for genealogy
research because it can direct Google to find pages
with a surname and/or place name but only those that
have something to do with genealogy.
Google Web Search Query
ackehurst ~genealogy
etchingham ~genealogy
No. of Results
2,230
91,500
What is a Google Alert?
A Google Alert is an automated query using
query definitions you have registered through
Google’s Alert service.
As one or more items are found matching your
search criteria, Google sends a concise email
summary to notify you that results have been
found.
For genealogists this can be a powerful tool
because it harnesses the power of Google even
when you don’t have time to do the search
yourself.
Summary
• This presentation has dealt only with basic
Google searches and the use of basic commands.
• For further information use the “Web Search
Help” facility on the “More Products Page”. This
can be reached by clicking the “even more” link
on the “more” dropdown menu.
• The “more” drop down menu is found at the end
of the horizontal listing at the top left hand corner
of the Google Home page.
Getting Started
Open the Google homepage
1. In the upper left corner of the homepage click the
text “more” link. A dropdown menu opens.
2. Click the “even more” link on the dropdown menu.
The “More Google Products" page opens.
3. Click the “Alerts” icon or name. The “Google
Alerts” page opens.
4. Fill in the details. The search query uses the basic
keywords and commands approach as demonstrated
earlier in this presentation.
Setting up your Google Alert
The “Type" dialog box contains the options:
• Everything
• News
• Blogs
• Realtime
• Video
• Discussions
Notes:
• Use “Everything” initially but it can be changed
later in the light of results received.
• Make sure you use the “preview results” link to
check the adequacy of your query format
Email Confirmation &
Notifications
• Google will send you a confirming email after
you have created each new Alert.
• You will be asked to verify your Alert request by
return email.
• Notification emails relating to the results of your
Alert query will be sent to you at the frequency
determined in your Alert request.
Google can’t do everything !!
Waiting for Emails ! Don’t let this
happen to you…