Begin your search for those long-lost cousins who may hold the key to breaking down a brick wall in your research by visiting WorldConnect Global Search. http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi

Search using only a surname or even part of a surname. You may ask for a return of only exact matches, or you may select Soundex or Metaphone. Global Search allows trailing wildcard matches with a minimum of three letters followed by an asterisk. Or refine your search by including a given name, or place of birth and/or death. Eliminate from your search entries with fields containing no data by checking the boxes marked "omit blanks." Remember that the more you narrow the search by adding criteria to match, the greater the chance that you will eliminate a record of interest to you because it is not an exact match.

If you have a GEDCOM on file with WorldConnect you can exclude your own database from your search by completing the "skip database" box. Use the "updated within" drop down menu to limit your search to records uploaded or updated since you last performed a search. Remember to check back often as new databases are added all the time, and old records are updated daily.

SOUNDEX. The Soundex filing system produces a four-character code beginning with the first letter of a surname followed by three numbers assigned according to the Soundex Coding Guide. Soundex keeps together names with the same and similar sounds, regardless of spelling. For a detailed explanation of Soundex, see ROOTSWEB'S GUIDE TO TRACING FAMILY TREES, Lesson 9, at http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/

METAPHONE is an algorithm to code English words phonetically by reducing them to 16 consonant sounds. It is similar in concept and purpose to Soundex, but more comprehensive in its approach. [Andrew Binstock and John Rex. METAPHONE: A MODERN SOUNDEX. PRACTICAL ALGORITHMS FOR PROGRAMMERS. Addison-Wesley, 1995, pp. 160-169; Gary Parker. "A Better Phonetic Search." C GAZETTE, Vol. 5, No. 4 (June/July), 1990; Lawrence Philips. "Hanging on the Metaphone." COMPUTER LANGUAGE, Vol. 7, No. 12 (December), 1990.]




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from 7/19/2000