Comments on: Searching Footnote

By: Alfredo Franceschetti

Alfredo Franceschetti — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:10:02 +0000

I ask you to add a “save filmstrip”. It will be usefull for save a MACR (for example), it is hard to save ten or more pages in the current way.
Bye.

By: Connie Moretti

Connie Moretti — Fri, 18 May 2007 17:54:20 +0000

A feature that would allow the selection of multiple pages, such as an entire pension file or Southern claim, to either download or print would be a wonderful timesaver.

I also join the chorus hoping you will be able to make Civil War Pension files available.

By: Dick Hillenbrand

Dick Hillenbrand — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:19:07 +0000

I have been regularly using most of the above operands, but was unaware of the parenthesis useage for grouping words, that should be helpful.

Good luck with this long needed access to files and records that have remained in the deep dark recesses. Everyone knows that these goodies are likley at NARA but their search methods are almost impossible and I usually give up in total frustration.

Keep ‘em commin’!

By: Rick Greathouse

Rick Greathouse — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 16:31:16 +0000

Adding a Soundex option to search would be a great addition.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:25:49 +0000

Thanks for your feedback. Determining the right way to browse each of the different publications is a challenge, especially with the Bureau of Investigation documents. Categorization beyond the series and the case number is difficult. This unfortunately led us to an undesirable situation where we have thousands of items in one browse level. As we review each publication, we work to avoid these situations and are working on better techniques for mitigating the problems that are seen in the Bureau of Investigation documents. We are constantly looking for better ways to empower our users to find and use the documents on our site and contribute their own content. Additionally we are always looking for fresh perspectives and appreciate this and any additional feedback that you have for us.

By: J Luff

J Luff — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:26:39 +0000

Searching functions are the least of Footnote’s problems. The site’s structure makes it very difficult to read and download sizeable files. Keyword searching in the voluminous BI files yields hits on single pages, yet for larger files, the filmstrip function on the viewer doesn’t display the file pages in order. Thus you can’t just click on the previous or following document pages and download chunks of files. Moreover in the browse function, BI files are not listed in numerical order. With hundreds of thousands of files, users can’t just page through and find files by number. I strongly urge you to improve the functions of Footnote. Otherwise NARA should not contract with this unknown provider with inadequate technology.