Source: Ancestry.co.uk
Searching for one ancestor among billions of records can be daunting, but Ancestry have compiled some tips to help you out:
- Start your search from a person in your tree. This will auto-fill the search form with all the information you've collected and entered, which will save time and effort. To do so, click on a person in your tree and select Search from the menu that pops up. Any information you've added to that person will be included in your search.
- Try searching both with more information and with less information. Add and remove different facts in the search form (since different types of records have different combinations of data).
- Search for the right records for the right time of life. If you're looking for someone's parents, try narrowing your search to a decade or so after the person's birth. Don't include information about that person's spouse or children, but do include information about siblings. Search for female ancestors using only their maiden names early in life and only their married names after they married.
- Allow for spelling mistakes. Sometimes names are spelled incorrectly on censuses, and sometimes handwriting can be difficult to read (and transcribe). Try searching with wild cards.
- Read the collection description at the bottom of record collections and record summary pages; it usually includes information specific to the collection and tips for searching that collection.
- Ask for help. There are likely others on Ancestry who have similar research interests. Use the Community button on the Help drop-down menu to start a discussion with other members.
Go to this Ancestry page for further guidance
https://support.ancestry.co.uk/s/article/How-to-Search-Ancestry/
https://support.ancestry.co.uk/s/article/How-to-Search-Ancestry/
