Search options

Include

Enter words that MUST be found and click add:
Find ALL words or ANY word Add

Exclude

Enter words that must NOT be found and click add:
Add

Phrase

If your search requires an exact phrase enter here and click add:
Add

Your text query

This is where your query is built. You may edit it here and click search now when ready.

Your date query

If your search also requires a date search enter the years here and click search now when ready.
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Tips

Enter your search words in the boxes on the left, clicking the ADD button as you complete each section. This will automatically build up the query for you; click SEARCH NOW when you're ready.


Search results pages contain a check box giving you the option to see the underlying records in a new, resizeable window, using a single click on successive titles in the results page.


If you search for a word that we are aware has alternative spellings or meaning, the top of the results page will give you options to view and include the additional words in your search.

Forward and back slash symbols are not recognised; items containing them (e.g. some reference numbers) will not be found. Search instead for partial strings using an asterisk (e.g. for AB7/123 - search for AB7* or 123*)

Alternatively, enter your query directly into the Search box at the top of every web page, using the following guidelines:

  • Words must be more than three letters
  • Searches are not case-sensitive
  • Leave a space between each word to find ANY of the words
  • Enter a + (plus sign) before each word to find ALL of the words
  • Enter a - (minus sign) before each word that must NOT be found e.g. -Thomas
  • Follow a partial word or date with * (asterisk) when you are not sure of a spelling or want a range of years e.g. 184* for the 1840s
  • Group words together with parentheses () for more complex queries e.g. +Michaelchurch +(Escley Eskley) which will find documents containing the word Michaelchurch and at least one of the alternative spellings of Escley.
  • Put phrases  e.g. "Michaelchurch Court" and hyphenated names e.g. "Rhyd-y-Bach" in inverted commas