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DELAWARE
GENEALOGICAL
QUERIES
Tips on Searching the Query Database
Search Strategies
- To use the search engine, fill in the text you wish to search for in any field
and click on the search button.
- The search is not case-sensitive, so "jones" is interpreted the same as "Jones" or
"JONES." However, the search otherwise looks for exact matches of characters and
spaces -- so, for example, "Mc Donald" is not the same as "McDonald."
- You may search on word or phrase fragments. If you search on "Bet," for example, you
will get a hit for "Betts," "Betz," "Bettington" and so on. However, you would also get
a hit for "better" or "Elizabeth," since both contain the fragment "bet."
- We are working on an advanced capability that will allow you to search on more than
one field at once (for example, to search for all queries under a given surname that were
posted less than 90 days ago). For the time being, however, searches may be made only
on a single field at a time. If you fill in text in more than one field, the first
one will be used for the search and any later ones will be ignored.
- In general, you will get more hits if you search for a surname under the field for
query text rather than under the field for surname. Although the surname field should
include any surnames mentioned in the text, occasionally queries mention a surname that
is not included in the surname field.
- If you wish to see all queries submitted in, say, the past 30 days, enter this number
in the query age field without filling in any other fields.
- You may enter a name in the submitter field to see all queries submitted by a
particular person. This may be handy for DGS members who wish to know all of the queries
that they have online.
- If you click on the search button without filling in any information at all, you
will see all of the queries in the database. Be warned, however, that there are hundreds!
- For those queries that include an e-mail address, you may click on the e-mail link
within the query to send a message to the submitter (this assumes that your web browser
is properly set up with your e-mail program to process a "mailto" link; if not, check with
your service provider).
The Database
- This database contains all queries that have appeared in the Delaware
Genealogical Society's Newsletter since 1994, as well as queries submitted online by DGS members.
- DGS members may submit an unlimited number of online queries, plus one free
30-word query per year in the DGS Newsletter. For information on membership, click
here.
- Non-members may submit queries for the newsletter and web site by postal service, including a check (made out to the Delaware Genealogical Society) for $5.00 for the first 30 words of the query plus ten cents for each additional word -- word count does not include name, addresses, phone, etc. which are free. Note that a 46-word inquiry, for example, will cost $5.00 plus $1.60 (16 words over 30) or $6.60 total. Mail the query and check to
- Surnames
- Delaware Genealogical Society
- 505 North Market Street
- Wilmington DE 19801-3091
The query will appear first in our DGS Newsletter and then on the Web (DGS members can immediatelysubmit a query on-line directly).
- Queries are limited to Delaware and the adjoining counties of bordering
states -- Cecil County and Eastern Shore Maryland; Eastern Shore Virginia; Chester and Delaware Counties,
Pennsylvania; and Salem and Gloucester Counties, New Jersey.
You may also want to consult the list of Query Format
Conventions for notes on abbreviations and other format conventions.
Back to the Query Search Engine
© Delaware Genealogical Society - August 17, 2000
comments to Webmaster
Tom Doherty