Emilie,

Yes, it takes a lot of manipulating of surnames to find people.  
There was a previous post regarding all the tricks.  Check out 
message #155 from about two years ago for part of them.  I personally 
like the "exact spelling" check box.  It has lead me to many break 
throughs...

Good luck on your search,
Angie Godina

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "Emilie Garcia"  
wrote:
> Recently I sat down after a long time away from browsing the 
FamilySearchcom's IGI database, and after many years of searching, I 
found three more generations back on my father's side who were from 
Tepetongo, Zacatecas, and all in one sitting.  I had tried looking 
for these people for years, but had no luck, and they were there all 
the time. I guess the other day their spirits were with me (I do 
beseech them to show themselves), and they wanted to be found.  It is 
funny that sometimes I can find people in the IGI, for myself and 
others, and sometimes I can't.  
> 
> Shortly

Victor,

I have experienced the same issues as you.  It is very frustrating 
not to be able to download more than 50 records.  Also I own the VRI 
cds and they have the same limitations, except the cap is 100 
records.  As a mentioned in a previous post, I tried to download all 
the records into my family tree program and then reconcile them.  
Except, (i am little slow, and...) it took me a while to realize that 
even though I would tag over a hundred records it was only 
downloading the first 100.  Had to throw out that work and start 
again, since I couldn't figure out which records I was missing.  So I 
started again and downloaded a 100 records at a time.  But then I 
realized that I was downloading some records twice...argh...  
Needless to say...I gave up.  Couldn't figure out a good way to do it.

I wish I had access to the raw data.  Then I could manipulate it as I 
pleased.  I figured since I had the cds, it must be on there 
somewhere.  But I have not been able to figure it

Hello Emily,

Thanks for sharing.  I have learned practically all of the tricks of
searching the IGI, including the one you wish to know:  the wildcard.
(%).  It works fine in the First Name and Last Name fields.  But don't
tell anyone that I told you!!

The best way to search the IGI is by batch number.  The problem is you
first need to build your own database of available batch numbers for
the locality that you're searching.

Un Saludo Cordial
Victor



--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "Emilie Garcia" 
wrote:
> Recently I sat down after a long time away from browsing the
FamilySearchcom's IGI database, and after many years of searching, I
found three more generations back on my father's side who were from
Tepetongo, Zacatecas, and all in one sitting.  I had tried looking for
these people for years, but had no luck, and they were there all the
time. I guess the other day their spirits were with me (I do beseech
them to show themselves), and they wanted to be found

Jonathan,

Good to know about your work.  When it comes to doing research on the
IGI, I've always wondered if it would be possible to query the
database thru a more flexible or versatile user interface, like one
that could use a greater number of filtering criteria, among other things.

I don't understand either the reasons, for example, of limiting the
download of recordsets to 50 records at a time.  Why aren't we allowed
to download a full recordset by batch number instead. Just imagine if
we could process a batch of records at once and have some kind of
tools to normalize and reconcile all the records in a whole book!  

That would be a blessing not only for genealogists but for the Church
 own purposes and everyone else.  Short of being able to display
online the digital image of the parochial records, these are some of
the things that I would like to see.  Just some thoughts!

Best Regards!
Victor Villarreal

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "mexicanfhr"  wrote:
>

When I was a kid, we use to go to Momax, Zacatecas every other 
Christmas Break.  We would spend about 2-3 weeks in Mexico visiting all 
the relatives.  In Momax, they would celebrate the Posada.  At the end 
they would pass out candy, peanuts and oranges to all the kids...happy 
memories... ;-)

Also, regarding a previous inquiring relating to "Day of the Dead."  My 
family didn't celebrate this ritural from the way I see people 
celebrating today, but they did go to the cementery on "All Saints Day" 
and/or "All Souls Day", which is the same day as "Day of the Dead".  
Normally they would take a reef of flowers and pray the rosary.

Just my two centavos...
Angie Godina

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, Joseph Puentes  wrote:
> 
> someone asked me about the "Posada" ritual.
> 
> maybe it was happening around me in CA when I wasn't looking but for 
the 
> life of me I don't know anything about this. Can someone give me a 
clue 
> as to whether or not my relatives living in

Victor,

I am in the process, of developing my own tools.  Because several
years ago, I went to the FHL in Salt Lake, looking for some tools. 
And I was told that what I was looking for did not exist,  And that if
I wanted it.  I would have to write myself.  So That is what I am doing.  

And I figureed who should know better about what researchers need and
want, that people who are doing reseach.  And that is why I was asking.

Jonathan

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "v.h.villarreal" 
wrote:
> Hello Jonathan,
> 
> Could you please elaborate a little on your question.  Are you
> currently developing research tools on your own or do you mean tools
> at familysearch, etc.?
> 
> Victor
> 
> 
> --- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "mexicanfhr"  wrote:
> > Hello Everyone,
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > I wanted ask, the Ranchos, Juarez, and Mexicanfhr groups,  what
> > research helps or tools, would you all like to see developed.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> >