Find and search specific historical record collections

Article Id: 1591
October 17, 2024
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You can find and search a specific collection in historical records rather than searching all collections at once. First, find the collection you want. Then search it. Your search results all come from the selected record collection.

    Steps for Search Records (website and mobile)

    Record collections in Search Records include both indexed and unindexed record sets. Some are from websites other than FamiySearch. Third-party collections typically have searchable indexes, but you must go to a different website to see the images. Some indexes and images have viewing limitations. Many with limitations can be viewed at a FamilySearch center or affiliate library.

    Steps (website)

    1. Sign in to FamilySearch.org. 
    2. At the top of the page, click Search. 
    3. Click Records.
    4. Scroll down to Find a Collection.
    5. In the Collection Title field, enter the title or keywords (such as a place or record type). As you type, collection titles appear.
    6. Click the title that you want to search or browse.
    7. Enter your search terms, and click Search. 
    8. Click the search result that interests you. 
    9. To return to the search results, click the browser's back arrow.

    Steps (mobile app)

    1. In the Family Tree mobile app, open the additional options:
      • Android: Tap the three lines in the top-left corner.
      • Apple iOS: Tap More in the bottom-right corner.
    2. Tap Search Historical Records.
    3. Scroll down to Find a Collection.
    4. In the Collection Title search field, enter the title or keywords. As you type, collection titles appear.
    5. Tap the title that you want to search or browse.
    6. To return to the search results, tap the back arrow.

    Steps for Explore Historical Images (website only)

    All records collections in Explore Images have record images that you can view from your home. Some are indexed and others are image-only collections.

    1. Sign in to FamilySearch.
    2. Click Search.
    3. Click Images
    4. Scroll to the section titled "New to Explore Images?". You have 3 ways to find a record collection.

    Collection Title Search
    Every search in Explore Images is an exact search. To find a collection using the Collection Title search field, you must enter a collection title exactly. For example, you want to search the 1910 census for the United States. If you enter "1910 census", the system does not find a match. But if you enter "United States Census, 1910", the system finds the match. Use the Collection Title search when you are confident of the title of a record collection.

    1. Click in the Collection Title search field.
    2. As you type, collection titles appear. Click the one you want to view.

    Help Me Find a Collection.

    1. Click Help me find a collection.
    2. Enter a place in the search field. As you type, standardized places appear. Click the standardized version of the place. Click Continue.
    3. Click to see places within the place you entered. If you see a smaller place of interest, click it. Otherwise, click Skip to Date. Do not be discouraged if list of places within the location does not include the county, province, or city of interest. Collections are often grouped by large jurisdictions such as states or countries. Click Continue
    4. You can enter a date or date range (optional). As you type, standardized versions of the date or date range appear. Click the standardized version. Click Continue. If you chose not to enter a date, click Skip to Life Event.
    5. Click the down arrow. Click an item in the list, or leave the life event as All. Click View Results.
    6. Search results appear.
    7. To further limit your results, in the upper right of the results, click Filters. A new panel shows on the right. You can filter by keywords, life events, place, or dates. After you select filters, click Update. (You can also remove existing filters to broaden the results).
    8. To change how results display, in the upper right click the bullet list icon or the 3x3 grid icon.

    Browse all Collections

    1. Click Browse all Collections
    2. All of the collection in Explore Images appear in alphabetical order.
    3. To filter the list, in the upper right, click Filters. A new panel shows on the right. You can filter by keywords, life events, place, or dates. After you select filters, click Update.
    4. To change how results display, in the upper right click the bullet list icon or the 3x3 grid icon.

    Search Tips for Historical Records
    Search Instructions for Historical Records

    How do I search all historical record collections at once?
    How do I search historical records by place or by using the world map?
    How do I view a list of all record collections in Historical Records?
    How do I find an image in an unindexed collection in Historical Records?
    Getting the Most from Your Search: Understanding the Search Records Page

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