Nine reasons why you cannot find family history sources

Family history searches are often unsuccessful, leaving researchers frustrated and stuck. When you cannot find what you are looking for, it helps to consider the possible reasons as they may suggest a solution.

These common genealogy search problems affect both beginners and experienced researchers. The difference between a successful search and a dead end often comes down to understanding why searches fail. Here are nine reasons why your search may be unsuccessful. And more importantly, what you can do about it.

This post was originally published in October 2022 and last updated on 13 July 2025

Common Genealogy Search Problems

1. Your Search Terms are Too Narrow

Family history research is only as good as the search terms that you use.

Some search engines will only give you results that match your terms exactly. This means you will not find genealogy sources which spell a name differently.

For example, searches may not always reveal names with apostrophes and prefixes, such as ‘Mac’.

What to do:

• Try spelling variations (Mac/Mc, O’Brien/Obrien, etc.)
• Use wildcards like * and ? where supported
• Search without given names or surnames
• Keep a list of all name variants in your tree.

For more search tips, read my article, How to Make Your Search for Family History Searches Easier.

2. You’re Looking in the Wrong Place

If you make an error in your analysis about where an event is likely to have taken place, you will end up searching in the wrong geographical location.

What to do:

• Build a timeline of places associated with the person or family
• Check surrounding counties, parishes, or regions
• Consider migration.

Tip: To identify surrounding locations, the FamilySearch wiki lists maps on each country page. For example, here’s the England one.

3. You’re Searching the Wrong Timeframe

If you make an error in your analysis about when an event took place, you won’t find the source.

It’s easy to make incorrect assumptions. For example, I have a family that did not get baptised until they were teenagers. I assumed that, like most people, they were baptised in the few years after their births. When I finally did find the baptisms, they were much later – and in a different country!

What to do:

• Broaden or remove date filters in your search
• Look for indirect clues (e.g. age at death or marriage)
• Review timelines to check for hidden gaps or assumptions.

4. You’re Searching the Wrong Repository

Not all genealogy sources are online and not all online sources are on Ancestry! If you do not search the correct repository, then you will not find the source that you require.

What to do:

• Study the jurisdictions for the location and find out where genealogy sources are currently kept
• Check information that repositories provide about their holdings and the coverage of those sources, i.e. timeframes and locations
• Use source guides like the FamilySearch wiki to find more repositories.

For more tips, check out my article, Broaden Your Search: Explore More Family History Websites.

5. You Don’t Have a Solid Foundation

If information in your family history research is incorrect or incomplete, then that will affect the results of your search. I refer to this as starting from a solid foundation.

For example, if you have incorrectly identified the parents of your subject, then you will have difficulty finding what you require.

What to do:

• Check your conclusions and the evidence behind them
• Trace back to the last point you’re confident about
• Verify each identity and relationship.

Here’s a tool to help you assess the strength of your foundation: Family Tree Health Assessment Tool: Build a Solid Foundation.

6. You’re Searching for a Source, Not Information

Sometimes we become fixated on finding a particular genealogy source, say a birth certificate, and overlook other sources that may provide the information we need.

What to do:

• Ask: What information do I need?
• Brainstorm all types of sources that might contain it
• Start with the sources that are likely to be the best, but don’t stop searching if you don’t find them.

7. The Event Didn’t Happen

While you can be fairly certain that someone was born and that they died, you cannot be certain that a record of these events was ever made. Even where registration was legally required, it did not always occur.

What to do:

• Consider that the event may not have happened (e.g. no formal marriage, no baptism)
• Look for information in a different type of source.

8. The Source Was Destroyed or Lost

Unfortunately, not all genealogy sources survive. Those of us with Irish ancestry, know that all too well – the Public Record Office was destroyed by fire in 1922.

What to do:

• Learn about the location you are researching and whether the sources are available
• Search for information in alternative sources.

Tip: Again, I recommend the FamilySearch wiki as the go-to resource to determine whether sources survived. Here is an example page for Irish records.

9. You Can’t Access the Source

Most, if not all, repositories admit that they have only placed a small percentage of their collection online and that not all of their collections are indexed.

What to do:

• Use catalogues to identify unindexed or restricted collections
• Try browsing digitised films without indexes (e.g. FamilySearch image sets)
• Plan a visit or contact a local archive for help
• Experiment with the FamilySearch Full-Text Search.

Read more in my article, How to Make Your Search for Family History Searches Easier.

Don’t Give Up: Repeat Your Searches

Genealogy search problems are part of the research process, not a sign of failure. When you hit a dead end, work through this checklist systematically. Often, the solution lies in adjusting just one element: your search terms, timeframe, location, or repository.

Remember that family history research is an ongoing process. Sources that don’t exist today may become available tomorrow as repositories digitise collections and improve indexing. Make a note of unsuccessful searches and revisit them periodically with fresh eyes and new strategies.

The key to breakthrough discoveries isn’t perfect searches. It’s persistent, methodical searching that adapts when one approach doesn’t work. Each “failed” search teaches you something valuable about your ancestors and brings you closer to finding the evidence you need.

More information

For more of my articles on improving your search techniques, go to the Research page.

For more of my articles about analysing sources, go to the Analyse page.

Ancestry has tips about searching its website.

The FamilySearch Wiki has great tips about searching for sources.

About the Author

Danielle Lautrec is a genealogy educator, researcher, and author of The Good Genealogist. With qualifications in history, family history, and historical archaeology, she teaches for the Society of Australian Genealogists.