To Jack, JustJean, Andy & Joette.....

[KenS]

Would you believe that I have just discovered the IGI and its benefits within th past couple of days!!! Jack, you put me on to this back in Dec 2004 when you posted the link to the IGI on a reply to one of my posts re: my Kelly ancestors but I didn't recognize its importance or realize its potential then. Wow!! What a search engine. I recently reviewed some of your posts and clicked on the link that took me to IGI and to my surprise I have found dozens of ancestors out there. And I'm just getting started. I can see that the IGI is sometimes incorrect in it's postings but for the most part it's right on the mark. Thank you, thank you, thank you one and all for all your help over these past couple of years. Thru some experience gained and tenacity I am becoming a much better researcher and it is a thrill to find so many ancestors with the use of all the tools you have guided me to. Love ya all, Ken Stewart P.S. How can I change my screen name or is that forboten once established?

[DavidWW]

Hi Kenneth

Great to hear of your recent successes

You can't change your present name of "Kenneth Colin Stewart" but any member of the TalkingScot Admin Group can arrange that for you.

What's your preferred screen name ? (which will become your login name...)

David
TSAG

[KenS]

David, I would like to change my screen name from Kenneth Colin Stewart to KenS Getting tired of typing in all of my full name each time. Would appreciate your help. Please advise when this occurs.
Thanks, KenS

[DavidWW]

David, I would like to change my screen name from Kenneth Colin Stewart to KenS Getting tired of typing in all of my full name each time. Would appreciate your help. Please advise when this occurs.
Thanks, KenS

Hi Ken

Done

Please check that "KenS" and your password (which we can't access) still gives you acess to the site.

NB, - your previous posts now appear as from "KenS".

David

[Jack]

Hi Ken,
Most pleasing to hear you're finding the IGI so useful - i'd think most us use it almost every day!
There's also Hugh Wallis' excellent Batch Numbers at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hughwallis/

The IGI is great for doing a "Parent Search", but you need to know father's name and at least mother's forename.
Sometimes you don't know all these, or names are spelled in some obscure way. Or there's an unexplained gap in the children's births.

This is where the Batch nos come in handy (though you need to know what particular parish the event might've taken place).
But if you can't find them in your first choice, and you've a lot of time (and patience!), it can be done by widening the search to other parishes in the area.
(this isn't a sure way of finding - births could be in counties that were very many miles apart, but you usually have an idea where they might be)

Just type the no. into the "Batch Number" box on the IGI page, and select the Event, Year Range & Year (if you want to narrow down), and Region etc.
A really good bit about Batch searches is that you don't even need a surname if you aren't sure of it, or the spelling. But you can enter one if you want.
You could also for eg just put in "Mary" in the First Name box, and this would give every Mary in that particular Batch (probably very many!).
Or a father's forename only, surname only, or both. Likewise with the mother. Or any combination of your choosing.
It was the Batch Nos. that found Linda's Agnes Hall as Teall - i couldn't find her birth using the IGI.
.
So just enter according to what you think is needed to find someone - as Sporran says "less is more".
Sometimes too much entered detail will give negative results - so it pays at times to use less details for a birth,
and if looking for a marriage, never enter the couple's parents' names.
Just play about with the Batches till you get the hang of it - you'll find it well worth while.
I'm sure you'll soon be enjoying them too!
Jack

[JustJean]

Hi KenS

Keep up the good work!! Sounds like you'll soon be a master at this

Best wishes
Jean

[KenS]

Jack, The new login name works just fine. Thanks
Have received a request from a new member for the net address for the IGI. Will attempt to provide from what you had given me but don't know how to post it so that she can just click the link. May have to come back to you for help.
Thanks again, Ken

[JustJean]

Hi again Ken

Just to possibly assist you and any new members.....an extremely helpful and convenient way to access the IGI is right through the "Sources" tab at the top of this Forum page. Just click on the tab to take you to a listing of all the top resources....and notice second item down in the right side column has a 1. IGI Search Page and 2. Family Search homepage. Actually this entire page of links is clickable to take you right to the places you want to be!!!!! Just in case you don't like using our handy dandy done for your convenience alone chart of links (honest...we don't mind if you don't use it ) once you are at the website just click on your Favorites button and add it to the list in your own computer. No excuses then for not finding it again !!

Very best wishes
Jean

[KenS]

Hello Sweet Jean!
Why didn't I think of that?? I guess I forgot that SOURCE possibility.
I just have to learn to use my head and the resources available to me. Am getting more and more familiar tho. Thanks for the reminder.

Am trying to help new member Nancy at: nanci@innocoresales.com sent her an e-mail and will advise her on Sources resource.

Trying to help out in payment for all the kind assistance I have received on TS. Nice hearing from you again.

Thanks, Ken

[Jack]

Hi Ken,
Thanks are to David for your new log-in.
It wisnae me that did the work!
Jack