Before querying that database, before hitting “search” on that website, and before typing names into a search box, there are things you need to know about what you are searching.
What exactly are you searching when querying this database? Is it just a database of main names in a set of records? Is it an index to every name? Is it a complete transcription? Will you be able to see actual images of the record as well as a database or index entry?
Is the data complete–or are parts missing?
How do searches actually work–do you know whether you can use wildcards, Boolean operators, and the like?
Knowing the answers to these questions will allow you to more effectively search.
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