Here are step-by-step instructions for using the Active Searches page. This page is the first of eight pages on the tour of Active Searches. Links to the other pages can be found at the bottom of this page.

The Active Searches page is useful for:

Entering an Ancestor

1. Go to the Active Searches page. If you have already opened that page, return to it.
2. Choose an ancestor.
3. Enter as much information about this ancestor as you can. The following items are required: first name, last name, gender, birth year, and accuracy of birth year. If you need to guess on the birth year, you can indicate a range on your guess using the accuracy of the birth year.

As a suggestion, choose an ancestor that is further back than a grandparent. The further back you go, the more likely you are to be searching for a person that someone else has searched before you. The best ancestor to choose is one where you know his or her father's name and spouse's name. More information on selecting an ancestor.

Note that when you use the Active Searches page, you do not need to be concerned about the best way to search. Simply enter everything you know. The best searches will automatically be generated for you.

Click here for the next page in the tour

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Click here to start searching