The Gensearch Series

We regret that because of the large number of additions and major changes which have taken place in online sources in recent years, it has no longer been possible to keep this series fully updated. Consequently Gensearch will produce no further discs. There is, however, no objection to the copying of coded versions of the discs listed below, or of Royal Navysearch, provided that no charge is made for doing so.

Each program in the Gensearch series is on a separate 3.5" floppy disc and runs on a web browser. Each one uses hyperlinks to move to other pages and to web sites. Hyperlinks are also provided to appropriate research aids available on the internet, and in coded programs purchased on disc all the web addresses and other contact details are followed by coded backup links to a series of continually updated web pages to ensure that if an address changes, the new one is immediately accessible. So if a disc-based copy of a coded Gensearch program has been purchased, the addresses on it will not need updating. Each program has questions to be answered or choices to make as you proceed. In each program, if you follow the route suggested in reponse to your answers and preferences you will be guided to the records which, in the opinion of Gensearch, are most likely to assist you in the development of your family tree.

Each of these programs requires a PC with Windows or Apple Mac with O.S. 8.1 or above, and either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

Beginsearch guides the less experienced researcher gently through the principal family history records, asking the questions which will ensure that those sources most likely to contain information of use are the first to be searched. As helpful organisations and useful books are referred to in the text their full details can be found instantly. This program also includes hyperlinks to the major family history websites, and a one-click index which enables it to be used as a basic reference tool for family history research.

Armysearch covers British military records from medieval times to the present day. By taking into account what is already known, this program selects from the great number of existing records those which are most likely to contain information about the ancestor being researched. Where necessary it provides guidance through the process of finding the correct regiment, and then leads on to the relevant records. Hyperlinks enable details of relevant sources to appear at a click, the PRO's Military Records leaflets to be instantly downloaded, and military websites used to assist in the search.

The aim of Hiddensearch is to help you to look for ancestors whose records are not where they were expected to be. Hiddensearch provides five different hunts to guide the search, four hyperlinked indexes to save duplication of work, a checking section which may help to provide confirmation where this is needed, and a one-click overall plan. This program is for the experienced family historian, as it assumes a basic knowledge of sources, repositories and research techniques.

Irishsearch is designed to assist research into Irish ancestry for those who live in England. This program provides guidance through the less familiar Irish sources, and shows how to consult the essential guides and reference books needed without leaving this country. It shows the English researcher where to find the large number of records accessible to him from this side of the Irish Sea, includes hyperlinks to online Irish sources, and gives advice for those family historians wishing to make the best use of a brief visit to Ireland.

In all Gensearch programs purchased on discs marked CODED VERSION and on all Royal Navysearch discs the web addresses and other contact details are followed by coded backup links to a series of continually updated web pages to ensure that if an address changes, the new one is immediately accessible. So if a coded disc has been purchased, the addresses on it will not need updating.

Go to Royal Navysearch for details of this program.