FAQ: I entered an ancestor for the first time, pressed SAVE, but nothing happened. What should I do?

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There can be multiple reasons this could happen on the Active Searches page. Things to check:

  1. Did you receive any warnings about using AOL? The standard browser that comes with AOL sometimes does not work properly with the Active Searches page. There is an easy work-around for this situation. Go to AOL.
  2. Did you receive any warnings about cookies not being saved? The information on the Active Searches page requires that you allow cookies to be saved. You need allow the cookie to be saved when prompted. If you were not prompted about saving a cookie and received a warning, you may have the saving of cookies turned off. Go to the instructions on turning on cookie saving.
  3. Did you receive any warnings about your browser version? The Active Searches page requires more recent versions of either Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari. Click here for the versions of browser that work best with this site and how to obtain newer versions.
  4. Did you see any warnings about JavaScript errors? If so, click here for more instructions.
  5. Active Searches
    Does the screen look like the image at the right? It is important that you see the shaded area at the left of the screen. If you came to the Active Searches page from a link or a bookmark, the entire screen may not show. Click here to go to the full Active Searches page.
  6. Do you have JavaScript turned off? If you do not see "JavaScript Enabled" at the end of this paragraph after "Status," then click here for instructions on how to turn on JavaScript. Status: 
  7. Are you using a firewall? The Symantec Norton Personal Firewall can sometimes block JavaScript code which causes the Active Searches page to "hang" or do nothing. Click here for instructions on firewall problems.
  8. Did you have a system crash or did you update your browser after trying the Active Searches page? You might have a corrupted cookie. Click here for instructions on deleting a cookie.

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Easiest way to search family trees

Use Active Searches. This allows you to search major sites by entering your information just one time. Also, this determines the best type of search for you at a particular site (all sites are not created equal).

Go to Family Tree Searches.

For those just starting out

Are you just starting to research your ancestry? If so, the following site provides an easy set of decision charts to help you get started.

Go to Genealogy Fast Track.

Free advice

Have you started your genealogy search, but need suggestions that will make your search on the Internet more productive?

Go to Genealogy Search Advice.

Record keeping software

Family Tree Maker 2010, the latest version of the world’s best-selling family tree software, gives you an easy way to build and share your family tree — and preserve your family history. It is probably the easiest and most complete resource for keeping track of your research.

Go to Family Tree Maker at Ancestry.com.

Family tree hints

Search hints for the nine family tree sites on the Active Searches page.

Go to Hints for Family Trees.

Save this site

Bookmark this page so that you can easily come back to it as you continue your family tree research.

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Quick Links

GeneaLinks - A marriage records database
Free genealogy search help for Google
A guide to obtaining US Vital Records
Ancestor Hunt Free Genealogy Search
GenealogyDatabase.co.uk
GenealogyAgent.com
Genealogy Today - Free research help
Newspaper Obituaries on the Web
The Genealogy Register
Hire a professional genealogist
Free Genealogy Search Engines
RootsSearch.net - Genealogy Portal