Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Thames (NZ): TCDC new Cemetery Search by SURNAME

Continuing on from the previous post:
When using the new Cemetery database, you will have noticed that entering a SURNAME in the top search box doesn't always give you all the possibilities. Also, if you enter only part of a person's name they will not show.

For example...if I enter "DOUGLAS BARKER" there are no results. Change it to full name "DOUGLAS OWEN BARKER" and a result appears.

Thanks to Graeme for finding out how to get a full SURNAME SEARCH for all TCDC cemeteries.

Steps to finding all names of a given SURNAME:

1. Click the LAYER list on the left-hand side (like stack of 3 papers)

2. Left click on down arrow at end of CEMETERY NAME SEARCH, click on OPEN ATTRIBUTE TABLE

3. Go to map area and left click the drop down arrow to right of OPTIONS. Select FILTER. A new box opens, select ADD FILTER SELECTION.


4. There are different Search options. Choose SURNAME. Then type in the surname you are searching and click OK.

You can also add more search options by clicking ADD AN EXPRESSION set...to add first names or combinations. But this is just an extra, stick to basics first till you have found your way around this complex search engine!!!

5. Now you will have some names in the bottom table. To get full list click on FILTER BY MAP EXTENT. I now have 24 Surnames to scroll through - to view any double left click the chosen name and they appear in the main map area.

6. Downloading A CSV file of your search result. Click on first name in the list, then scroll down to the last. Holding the SHIFT key, left click on the last in the list. Go back to the OPTIONS button and click the Drop arrow - Select EXPORT SELECTED TO CSV. Sample of a file below.

Keep experimenting and I'm sure we will find ways to make this process easier!!!