Uncovering Hidden Ancestors: Using Wildcards in Ancestry Search

Have you ever hit a brick wall in your genealogy research? You’ve scoured records, checked every possible spelling variation, and still, your elusive ancestor remains hidden. Don’t despair! Ancestry.com’s powerful wildcard search feature can be your secret weapon to unearth those elusive family members.

What are Wildcards?

Wildcards are special characters that act as placeholders in your search queries. They allow you to search for variations of a name or word without knowing the exact spelling. Think of them as a flexible magnifying glass that helps you zoom in on potential matches.

How to Use Wildcards on Ancestry

Ancestry uses the asterisk (*) as its wildcard character. Here’s how you can use it:

• Replacing a single letter: If you’re unsure about a single letter in a name, replace it with an asterisk. For example, to search for variations of ‘Smith,’ you could use ‘Sm*th’. This would capture ‘Smith,’ ‘Smyth,’ ‘Smtih,’ and other similar spellings.
• Replacing multiple letters: You can use multiple asterisks to represent multiple unknown letters. For instance, if you’re searching for a name like ‘Johnson’ but are unsure about the middle part, you could use ‘Jo*son’. This would find ‘Johnson,’ ‘Jonson,’ ‘Jonsen,’ and other variations.
• Searching for partial names: If you only know part of a name, you can use wildcards to represent the missing portion. For example, ‘J*n’ would find names starting with ‘J’ and ending with ‘n,’ like ‘Jane,’ ‘John,’ ‘Jean,’ etc.

Real-life Example

Let’s say you’re searching for your great-grandmother, whose name you believe is ‘Mary Ann,’ but you’re not sure about the middle name. You’ve tried searching for ‘Mary Ann,’ ‘Mary A,’ and ‘Mary Ann*,’ but you haven’t found anything. Using a wildcard, you can try a search like ‘Mary* Ann’. This will broaden your search to include variations like ‘Mary Jane Ann,’ ‘Mary Elizabeth Ann,’ and other possibilities.

Tips for Effective Wildcard Searching

• Start with a focused search: Before using wildcards, try searching with the most likely spelling of the name. This will help you understand the available records and refine your search strategy.
• Use wildcards sparingly: Overusing wildcards can lead to too many results, making it difficult to find the relevant information. Start with a single wildcard and gradually add more if necessary.
• Combine wildcards with other search criteria: Use additional search criteria like birth date, location, or other family members to narrow down your results.
• Review your results carefully: Not every match will be accurate. Take time to review the results and verify the information before assuming you’ve found your ancestor.

Conclusion

Wildcards are a powerful tool for genealogists, especially when dealing with misspelled names, misindexed records, or incomplete information. By using this technique strategically, you can expand your search horizons and uncover hidden family members you may have never known existed. Happy searching!