FamilySearch Labs - Full-Text Search

[peter]

FamilySearch are using AI to transcribe documents (mostly books and other printed texts if my search results are anything to go by). My experience has been mixed - it's not something I'm inclined to recommend in the newsletter at this time - but maybe you're doing better?

If you haven't tried it out click FamilySearch Labs, log in using your usual FamilySearch ID, then look for
Expand your search with Full Text

 

[Kate]

I have had a play and found a few things I already knew as I have been researching for years. I need to be more specific and I may find a new bit of information. As it is free, I don't think we should dismiss it.

 

[peter]

As it is free, I don't think we should dismiss it.

When you get to my age time is equally important.

 

[cfbandit]

Peter they are loading in England/Scotland/Ireland/Wales, so capabilities will be growing. Its already exploded from the first loading in December of what is available. Rootstech had some great sessions on it. I've learned a few tricks to make it work better for me - the filters are *incredibly* important. But I've found some great things I haven't found elsewhere, like the 1894-1895 voting registers for Carnforth Lancs, where the search picked up on "Carey Boot Needham" really easily. Ancestry has the same document, but I'm without a subscription right now so I can't access it.

 

[Hammer]

This is a fantastic resource that is currently in experimental phase and continuing to add records on a regular basis. At the moment, Crew Lists for UK Mercantile Marine from 1857-1860 are available to view from home. Additionally, all Crew Lists from 1747-1856 are available to view at a Family Search Centre or affiliate. This is the whole of BT98 (TNA reference). To find this, use filters in your search under "Type" to Government Records/Mercantile Marine. Searching by surnames using wildcards allows access to records that have been extremely hard to find previously.