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Elma
24-10-2011, 9:15 AM
Oops another question that I should be able to work out but it is a lot easy to understand if you ask:redface:
Is there any easy way of searching as when you put a common name in ie Mary Smith it comes up with lots of Marys and Smiths and takes me ages to go through them.
There must be others like me!
With thanks ELMA

RobinC
24-10-2011, 9:58 AM
If the name you are looking for is in a thread that you have started or if it is in a post that you have made then it is easier to find it doing the following actions.

Click on your own username at the side of the post above and click select "view profile" if it doesn't automatically take you there.

You'll see a menu on the left which includes "find all posts" and "find all started threads".

You'll have to look through the threads and posts but it will be quicker.

Sue Mackay
24-10-2011, 10:13 AM
Click on Quick Links on the bar across the top and then opt for Advanced Search. In the Keywords Box type "Mary Smith" (in inverted commas) and in the Username box type Elma. It will come up with a list of your threads which mention her, this one being top of the list :smile:

Elma
24-10-2011, 12:06 PM
Oops I know I take time to learn but I still can not do it (Very Red Face)
I go to Quick Links and Advanced Search then put in "Mary Smith" but come up with all the Mary's not necessarily Smith.
What am I doing wrong?
Very embarrassed Elma

olliecat
24-10-2011, 12:17 PM
Oops I know I take time to learn but I still can not do it (Very Red Face)
I go to Quick Links and Advanced Search then put in "Mary Smith" but come up with all the Mary's not necessarily Smith.
What am I doing wrong?
Very embarrassed Elma

Yes! I just checked and sometimes you get results such as Mary in one part of a post and Smith in another part.

An alternative way of searching the forum is this...

Go to Google and in the search box type all of the following...


site:http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums "mary Smith"

This will display results for the phrase Mary Smith found on the BG forums.

Also, if you wish you can go to advanced search in Google and limit the results - for example, only results from the last month or the last year.

Sue Mackay
24-10-2011, 1:14 PM
Oops I know I take time to learn but I still can not do it (Very Red Face)
I go to Quick Links and Advanced Search then put in "Mary Smith" but come up with all the Mary's not necessarily Smith.
What am I doing wrong?
Very embarrassed Elma

You would need to specify Elma in the username box as well. If you are looking for other people's threads on Mary Smith then follow Olliecat's advice, though be prepared for a lot of hits with that name :wink: