Search Notes
- Notes on this Database
- This database contains the names of both parties in the marriage, so in each record there are two surnames and two first names. When you search for either Surname or First Name above, you're actually searching the names of both parties, so you'll probably get two sets of results for any search. Eg for the couple FirstName1 Surname1 marrying FirstName2 Surname2, you'll probably get two results, both listing the same Book and Page Numbers.
- A Soundex search searches the soundex of both surnames listed in the index. Note that because of this, you may get "unexpected" results - your search may return a match on a person who has FirstName1 Surname2 if you search for both a first name and a surname.
- Because of the way the index was created, and difficulty in reading the transcripts from microfilm it is not uncommon for there to be differences in the names as written into the index, and occasionally differences in Book and Page number for the same couple. For example the second name on the page often only had the initials for the First Name, and there are sometimes differernces in the way names were spelled between the two entries.
- Note that this index is still under preparation - not all letters of the alphabet have been indexed yet, so if you don't find the person you're expecting to, don't despair - we may not have indexed their names yet.
- Details on how to order records you find in this database can be found on the Search Results Page.
- The Soundex field is pre-filled with a *. If you are searching by name, leave the * in the Soundex field for the search to work correctly. If you're searching by Soundex, replace the * with the Soundex code you're searching for.
- The Soundex Code must be complete to search by Soundex. Wild cards are not permitted. The search can only be performed with "Equals" as the operator. The button below opens a form where you can calculate Soundex codes.
- This page explains the Soundex coding system with examples, including the little known rule about "Key letters or their equivalents separated by H or W are coded as one key letter." which explains why the name Ashcroft can't be found in the Federal Census under the expected A226, but is found under A261.
- The calculation used in the online database includes this rule. If a name is affected by this, the database contains both the Common Soundex Code AND the proper Soundex Code for this name. Both are displayed in the list of returned results if a name has more than one Soundex variation.
- You can search the Surname, and/or First Name fields for complete names (equals in the pop up), or names that start with a string of characters (begins with in the pop up).
- A search for "begins with" Moff would return matches for Moff, Moffat, Moffatt, Moffet, Moffett, Moffit, Moffitt etc.
- A search for "equals" Moff would return only the name Moff.
- General
- You can narrow your search by using more than one field at the same time - eg search on Soundex and First Name, or Surname and First Name and a specific year.
- Choose how many records are returned per page in the pop up menu above (Return xx records at a time).
- Remember - broad searches take longer to perform, longer for the results to be displayed, and return more results to sort through.
- If you have any queries about how this database search works, or wish to report an error in it please send eMail to DataMaster@wmgs.org