How To Use the Index

• When you click Search the Index, you will see a list of names. Click on the link of the name range that might contain the name you hope to find; you will see the words "Times Name Index" while the file is downloading. You will know the file has been downloaded when the names appear on the screen.
  
• Names are listed in alphabetical order. Scroll up or down until you find the name you are looking for. If you would like to find the name in the list without scrolling you can use the FIND button on the toolbar at the top of the screen. Click this button and a text box will appear on the screen. Type in the name you are looking for, press enter and the name will be highlighted in the list. If the name is not in the Index you will get the message "search string not found." To close the text box click the CANCEL button.
  
• The record you have found will show the last name, first name, and middle initial. The record will also show the month, day and page number on which the article was found. The event code field shows if the article is marriage, death or birth information. The photo field shows if there is a picture that accompanies the article.
  
• If you wish to return to the list of name ranges, click the back button on the Netscape tool bar. If you wish to exit the Times Name Index, Click on FILE, and choose EXIT from the menu. Remember, you will have to go to the microfilm to read the articles you have found!

• If you have only found a few records, you may not want to print out the whole page. Printing can be time-consuming and costly. Jot down the information on a piece of paper. If you have found many records and need a printout, follow these directions:
  
  
• Before you can print records, you will have to determine the page number within the file you want to print. If you forget to choose page numbers, Netscape will automatically print the whole file and you will have to pay for pages that you don't necessarily need. To choose page numbers, click on FILE, then choose PRINT PREVIEW. This file will take several seconds to download. When it has downloaded, you will see the first page of the file. To enlarge the page click the ZOOM IN button at the top of the screen. Click the NEXT PAGE button repeatedly until you find the page that contains the names you seek. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enlarge the print by clicking anywhere on the page. It is important that you make a note of the page number at the bottom left corner of the screen. Click the print button at the top of the screen. A text box will appear on your screen. Type the page number range in the page numbers box. To print page # 1, for example, you would enter page 1 to 1. Click O.K. and printing will begin.

• If you are narrowing your search by using the FIND button, you do not need to enter the full name. Enter only the last name and your search results will show a complete listing of people with that last name.
  
  
• You do not need to use honorifics such as Mrs., Rev., or Gen. We have not included them in the Index.
  
  
• If your search results show that the name appeared in the Times on a daily basis it probably means that the person was mentioned in some official capacity, such as Postmaster, Ticket Agent, or Newsboy. You can narrow your search by looking for the name only when it appears more than once per issue or more than once per page.
  
  
• If a celebrated person visited RI in this time period, you may find the name in our Index, e.g., Lizzie Borden. Try it!