RLP 420: Tips for Using the New FamilySearch Simple Search Tool

In this episode of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy podcast, hosts Diana and Nicole discuss the features and effectiveness of FamilySearch's new "Simple Search" tool. They explore how this experiment allows users to search billions of full-text records using natural language queries rather than traditional forms. Diana shares her experience testing the tool with her father’s name, Bobby Gene Shults, demonstrating how the artificial intelligence parses results and helps distinguish between individuals with similar names. Listeners learn practical strategies for using Simple Search effectively, such as starting with broad queries and utilizing filters for collection, year, place, and record type to narrow results. Diana highlights the utility of the tool by successfully locating military muster rolls that confirm her father's service history and hospitalization during World War II. By experimenting with different search terms, spelling variations, and searching for associates, researchers can better leverage this technology to discover new documents for their family history. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links FamilySearch Labs / Experiments - https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/ Tips for Using the New FamilySearch Simple Search Tool - https://familylocket.com/tips-for-usi... Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code “FamilyLocket” at checkout. Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/cre... Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/... Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d Research Like a Pro with AI Workbook – Second Edition (eBook) - https://familylocket.com/product/rese... 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-d... and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-d... Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-cate... Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course - https://familylocket.com/product/rese... RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/res... Research Like a Pro Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-cate... Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course - https://familylocket.com/product/rese... RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/res... Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_p...