Search Hints

The Genealogy.com (FamilyTreeMaker.com) web site recently upgraded their search capability. Still, if you have a copy of the company's genealogy software, the research journal search capability is easier to use. The site upgrade attempts to match your ancestry recorded in the research journal with the names in their CDs. The online search requires you to re-enter a portion of the tree to get similar searches performed with the research journal.

If you do not have Family Tree Maker software, your best bet is to search using as much birth and death information as you have. Sources at the site will be ranked based on this information. Even better is to search on an uncommon names. In my case, I could search for Cuthbert Hayhurst. That name must set some type of record for being uncommon. Cuthbert was an ancestor of my great-grandmother and came to the colonies with William Penn.

The reason for searching with uncommon names is that the more names in the family tree, the more results this site provides. It can sometimes be a chore to wade through what are sometimes unfruitful matches.

How to Search Genealogy.com™ for Family Trees

Genealogy.com™ Web Site Capabilities

See the definition of terms for any questions on the meaning of the entries.

* Free genealogy information can be found on individual web sites. The company family tree CDs or on-line viewing are not free.

** Contact information on submitters can be obtained for each pedigree on the CDs.

*** Works with the the company's software.