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Surname Helper:

The site that surname-indexes particpating genealogy Web sites, including those managed by CCHelper.
If you have indexed your site by surname, than Surname Helper can make that index reachable to a much wider audience.
If you have not indexed your site by surname, than Surname Helper can help you do that. (See feature #5 below).
The number of sites indexed is growing. Click to see a list or a summary of sites.

Features:

The researcher can search multiple sites for a given surname and optionally its spelling variants (e.g. SOUNDEX)
The site manager (e.g. a county coordinator) has control over which surnames are indexed for her site. When changes are made to the county site, the CC requests that the surname data be reloaded and the index will reflect the changes at the site The surname data is automatically reloaded weekly.
Registration for QueryExpress, available to USGenWeb and WorldGenWeb coordinators.
Easy integration with CCHelper.
Auto indexing of GenConnect sites.
Surname search pages at various levels, including:
1. All sites, http://surhelp.rootsweb.com/srchall.html
2. USGenWeb, http://surhelp.rootsweb.com/usa/usa.html
3. Some WorldGenWeb regions, e.g. http://surhelp.rootsweb.com/wg/car.html
4. State, e.g. http://surhelp.rootsweb.com/usa/usa-oh.html
5. County/Site, e.g. http://surhelp-bin.rootsweb.com/srchsite.pl?site=OHGREENE
  This site level page can be linked to by the site and used as a surname search page for the site.
A surname index list for your site, e.g. http://surhelp-bin.rootsweb.com/surindx.pl?site=OHGREENE

How Surname Helper Works

The site (e.g. a county) is registered with Surname Helper. Registration info includes the server for the site, the home page, and the location of the query and surname registration HTML pages, and the name(s) of the files described below.
Surname Helper goes out to the site and loads data to the index in one of three ways:
1. by reading the query pages and looking for certain HTML codes enclosing the surnames. (This is called the Name Anchor method).
  Example of a query:
  Smith, Brown
  Looking for all of the above surnames in the state of Texas.
  newbie@genealogy.com
  Here is the HTML behind the surnames that Surname Helper will recognize:
  <a name="sh_Q_12345">Smith, Brown</a>
2. from the "summary" files. These summary file(s) contain an entry for each surname for each posting of a query and surname registration. These summary files can be created by the CCHelper program, by another automated process, or by manually entering the data. (This is called the Manual or CCHelper method).
  Each line of the summary file can have:
  1. surname
  2. type of posting (Q = query, R = surname registration)*
  3. file and name reference for the entry on the site (e.g. sura.htm#87)*
  4. date of posting*
  *optional
3. by reading a surname index pages and looking for the links to surnames. (This is called the Surname Index Page method).
  Example of an excerpt from a surname index page:
  LAW, LINDSAY, LUKE
  
  Here is the HTML behind the surnames that Surname Helper will recognize:
  <!-SURNAME HELPER INCLUDE AS Gen>
  <A HREF="ind0008.htm#I568">LAW</A>,
  <A HREF="ind0009.htm#I537">LINDSAY</A>,
  <A HREF="ind0012.htm#I522">LUKE</A>
  <!-SURNAME HELPER ENDINCLUDE>
All existing data for that site is deleted from the index before reloading the index data.

How To Add Your Site

Click here if your Site is NOT managed by CCHelper or GenConnect.
Click here if your Site IS managed by CCHelper.
Click here if your Site uses GenConnect.

Some Surname Helper sample links:

Note that the USGenWeb and WorldGenWeb search pages all have links to the "Search all" page.
Search Greene Co., Ohio USGenWeb
Search Ohio USGenWeb
Search USGenWeb
Search WorldGenWeb Europe
Search All Surname Helper Sites

How To Make Changes To your Site Registration

Surname Helper Site Manager's Utility

Which Other Sites are in Surname Helper

List Surname Helper Sites

Surname Helper support/discussion list

This list is where you should turn to when you need help. There are friendly, helpful Surname Helper users ready to help you get thru that trouble spot. If you're so lost you can't even identify the trouble spot, then post a message asking for a mentor and we'll find someone who'll guide you thru the process.

To SUBSCRIBE to the Surname Helper support and discussion list:

address a message TO: SurHelper-L-request@rootsweb.com
use no subject (if your mailer requires a subject, put just a period (.) in the subject)
type on the first line of message: subscribe
Turn off all signature files, and send the message.
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Surname Helper support and discussion list:

address a message TO: SurHelper-L-request@rootsweb.com
use no subject (if your mailer requires a subject, put just a period (.) in the subject)
type on the first line of message: unsubscribe
Turn off all signature files, and send the message.
To send a MESSAGE to Surname Helper support and discussion list:

use the LIST address in the TO: field of a message.
The LIST address is SurHelper-L@rootsweb.com

Surname Helper is a surname engine for queries and surname registrations posted on various genealogy sites. Participating sites include many USGenWeb and WorldGenWeb sites. All GenConnect boards are indexed in Surname Helper. Surname Helper is also used by the USGenWeb QueryExpress system for registering counties.

Click here for help or more information.

The site made possible by the RootsWeb. Join RootsWeb and help make more possible!

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