• select the Search SOAR option on the left hand of the window to open the search engine
  
• from the pull down menu on the Search SOAR page, select the database you are interested in; for Obituaries (the page will display publication, birth and death date range options that may be used to refine a search when there are a large number of returns (e.g. Stroh generates more than 300 returns so additional information is needed to home in on a particular name)).
  
• enter the keyword or keywords to be used for the search – use nothing between multiple keywords other than a space (DO NOT USE A COMMA between the words). Using more than one keyword is a simple method to focus a search and reduce the number of search returns.  
  
• If you enter more than one keyword, decide if the search is to be an OR function or an AND type search for the keywords (there is a box (Search for all words (“and” search)) to check or leave blank depending on what you decide) 
  
• You may (or may not) enter a publication or birth or death date range for obituaries. If you are looking for one person and want to limit the search (use the form mm/dd/yyyy). You must enter a starting date and an ending data unless you know the exact date, then only enter that date in the first field. 
  
• Depress Find
  
• After returns are present, depress the View word at the far right of the file you are interested in
  
• Your system must allow pop ups and a Java Run Time Environment must be loaded to your computer if you don’t already have it (this is about 8MB so can take awhile to download). That is a one time load for all future use. After that a Java view applet is loaded and the image will appear

How do I download a file?

• When a file of interest has been identified and viewed, begin by establishing a folder on your C drive where the file will be downloaded. A recommended title for the folder is SOAR Downloads. 
  
• (from the Image View and Purchase page) With the page of interest displayed, click on the “I would like to download/purchase this Page or Entire Document” at the bottom of the page.
  
• For Membership Plus subscribers:
  • The View Shopping Cart is displayed next and the page of interest will be in the cart with the planned cost for the download. If this is what you want to download, click Checkout. (Options also exist to perform a new Search or return to the Image View page to examine another of the Search returns before continuing.) 
  • Checkout (2 of 2) again presents the page you’ve chosen to download with options of the format of the downloaded file. TIFF is the default format but PDF can also be selected. When ready to proceed, click Continue.
  • Membership Plus subscribers will next be presented with the Image Download page and a small window will appear in the upper left portion of the screen again asking ‘do you want to download the requested files…’. Answer Yes if you want the file. Another small window will appear asking where you want the file to be downloaded. Navigate to the download folder you established, select it and click OK. The download will occur and the download folder will open with the file in it. (if you did not select a download folder, the file is downloaded to the root directory of the C drive and you will have to find it.
    
• For researchers who are not subscribed to Membership Plus:
  • Create My Shopping Cart page will be presented asking for a member’s SOAR ID and password. Members should enter the information they have previously requested and been provided. If a member has not requested the information they may proceed as a non-member (requesting the information is recommended eventually) or close the browser until their information is received. Non-members or members who do not yet have their information and want to proceed should select Click Here.
  • From the Create My Shopping Cart page you may continue with the checkout, or return to view other search returns or return to perform a new search. For now, assume you want to continue the checkout – select Continue and View Shopping Cart. 
  • The View Shopping Cart page displays the file chosen and the cost for the download. Again there are three options but if you want to download the file, click Checkout. 
  • Checkout (1 of 2) requires credit card information to be provided and that you agree with the terms of use for the site. Note that this is a secure page (the address begins with https:) Click Submit to continue. 
  • Checkout (2 of 2) allows you to choose the format of the downloaded file. TIFF is the default and PDF may also be selected. When ready, click Continue. 
  • The Image Download page will appear and a small window in the upper left portion of the screen again asking ‘do you want to download the requested files…’. Answer Yes if you want the file. Another small window will appear asking where you want the file to be downloaded. Navigate to the download folder you established, select it and click OK. The download will occur and the download folder will open with the file in it. (if you did not select a download folder, the file is downloaded to the root directory of the C drive and you will have to find it. 

When do I use my member ID and password?

• Because searching is free, the member ID and password are not used by members who are not subscribed to Membership Plus until you decide to purchase an item after viewing the image. Members who are subscribed to Membership Plus should begin their SOAR session by selecting View Shopping Cart on the SOAR Home page and entering their ID and password in the next page. After the Shopping Cart is established (meaning the member has been identified as a subscriber) normal search and view operations may begin.

How do I get a member ID and password?

• Members of AHSGR must send an e-mail message to soarlogin@ahsgrsoar.org and request the information. The message must include the member’s name and mailing (postal) address for verification purposes. 

I’ve performed a search and there are files on the Search Results page but when I click View, nothing happens. Why?

• There may be a conflict between the site and your browser or your browser Internet option settings or your Internet security software or its settings. For Microsoft based users, problems have been reported when using the combination of Microsoft Internet Explorer and some versions of Norton Internet Security. A workaround for that combination is to use a different browser such as Firefox (http://download-firefox.org/). That download is free.
  
• This problem has been reported by some users with the Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. Turning off the User Access Control (UAC) when operating with the SOAR site has solved the problem for them.

I’ve performed a search and there are files on the Search Results page but when I click View I observe what appears to be a “coffee cup” logo (this indicates the beginning of a Java file download). That then terminates with an error message. Why?

• There may be a conflict with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or your Java download manager may be corrupted. There is a work around to properly install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) that can solve this problem. If you are experiencing this issue (which is rare), follow these steps to install the JRE. On a dial-up connection, it could take a couple of hours to complete.

1. Navigate to: http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
   
2. On the screen, click 'Download' for 'Windows (Offline Installation)’. The offline JRE installer is 16MB.
   
3. Save the download file to an easily accessible location (e.g.. Desktop)
   
4. Once downloaded, double-click to run the JRE installer
   
5. Follow instructions within the JRE installer
   
6. Once installed, access the SOAR web site again www.ahsgrsoar.org  and perform another search followed by a View operation.

I entered a surname as a keyword for an obituary search but there are search results for deceased persons with a different surname. Why?

• The keywords indexed for an obituary include all names, places, and major dates (e.g. 1907 Immigration coded as 1907i) contained in the obituary. This means if you search for a particular surname, an obituary may be returned for a deceased person with a different name – but your search keyword is included somewhere within that obituary! For example, a search for Zitterkopf will include a return published 15 May 1946 for Rogelio Nicacio Wilhelm because the maiden name of his wife was Zitterkopf
  
• This is explained on the site in the obituary database description. To access the description: 

1. Open the Search SOAR page.
   
2. Click the down arrow and select Obituaries in the database drop down box.
   
3. Click on the “Click for Information” link to the right of that box.
   
4. Read the Database description and print it if necessary for future reference.

How do I use more than one keyword for my search?

• An option on the Search SOAR page allows more than one keyword to be used as an OR (any of the keywords will be matched during the search) or an AND (all of the keywords must be matched during the search) criteria. This option is selected by leaving blank (for the OR state) or checking (for the AND state) the box under the keywords by the phrase ‘Search for All Words (“and” Search)’ 

How do I use a date or date range during a search?

• To set a publication or birth or death date range for an obituary search (actually, date ranges may be set for any single item or for as many as are desired), first select Obituaries in the drop down menu on the Search SOAR page. Next, enter a from/to range (early date in the left box and later date in the right box) in the form dd/mm/yyyy. (If you know the exact date, enter it the left box and leave the right box empty. The exact date strategy should be used with caution – some obituaries may record the death date as “…died Wednesday…” and the exact date may not be in the obituary.) You may also use the pop up calendars for data entry but must remember that the day of the date must be the last entry prior to depressing the Select button. (Depressing the Close button will close the window but not enter the chosen date.) 

The display presentations on my Macintosh are different than those on my friend’s PC. Why?

• There are a few differences in the display presentations for PC and Macintosh users. This is normal but is a function of the two computers. Because the SOAR site uses Java, the functionality of displays is the same. 

Can I perfo rm a search that limits the displayed results to the obituary for the decedent's full name only?

• No. There is not a separate data entry field established for this type of search. 

How can I limit the quantity of search returns I get? 

• You have several options: enter more than one keyword in the Search Criteria entry where each word is separated only by a space and place a check in the box below the keyword list (in front of the phrase “Search for All Words (“and” Search)”); or enter a birth and/or death date range for databases that provide that option (e.g. Obituaries). Dates must be entered in the format mm/dd/yyyy. (example - For December 3, 1947 the entry would be 12/3/1947). See also How do I use a date or date range during a search? 

Why do I get a ‘communication error message’ presented when I click the View button after perfo rming a search?

• This can occur because of a Java time out error if you are using a satellite system for your interface with the Internet. For now, most satellite systems are resulting in this error. At least one particular satellite system user has been successful when using the Netscape browser (no longer available as a download) for SOAR, but several other systems continue to result in the time out error.
  
• It is also possible your computer system is preventing the SOAR downloads from being allowed. If you have an active firewall, make certain it is not blocking the SOAR site. Your ISP may also be preventing the download (because of the use of Java).
  
• The time out problem (for some of the larger files) has also been reported for some users with a telephone modem Internet connection.
  
• The [30] communication error message is a standard message from Microsoft in response to several types of errors including a “file not found” condition. When this occurs, send an e-mail to soarcoordinator@ahsgrsoar.org with enough information that the result may be duplicated (keyword(s) used for the search, dates or location of the file in the search result page, etc. so the problem can be corrected.

I selected a file to download, entered my credit card information and completed Checkout. The download did not occur. How do I get the file and is my credit card charged?

• (non-Vista operating system users): Your credit card will not be charged if the download failed to complete and you did not receive the requested file(s).
  
• Vista and Windows 7 operating system users may experience a failed download problem if User Access Control (UAC) is active due to the strict security properties of UAC. If this does occur, do the following: 1) disable UAC for any future operations with SOAR. 2) send an e-mail to soarcoordinator@ahsgrsoar.org with details explaining: when (date and approximate time) the problem occurred; the file(s) you attempted to download (include enough information so the same file(s) can be found by the coordinator); what was displayed before and after the problem occurred (also include information about how you connect to the Internet, what Internet browser you are using, what operating system and anti-virus application you are using and if you are using a firewall such as Zone Alarm). A copy of the missing file(s) will be sent to you. The SOAR Coordinator will determine if your credit card has been charged when this type of failure occurs with Vista or Windows 7. If the charge was made, the SOAR Coordinator will send you a copy of the file(s) you attempted to download.

Why did the download fail to occur?

• Several factors can cause this problem including: your computer operating system is Microsoft Vista or Windows 7 (if this is the case, disable the User Access Control (UAC) feature and try again); your ISP or your Internet settings will not allow a download that requires Java script to run; you did not accept (clicked Yes) all the Java windows that were presented; or your computer system includes a firewall that is blocking the download (probably because of the Java script). If none of these are applicable, send an e-mail to soarcoordinator@ahsgrsoar.org with details explaining what was displayed before and after the problem occurred (also include information about how you connect to the Internet, what Internet browser you are using, what operating system and anti-virus application you are using and if you have a firewall such as Zone Alarm). o To disable UAC in the Microsoft Vista or Windows 7 operating system, follow the instructions outlined in http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/disable-user-account-control-uac-the-easy-way-on-windows-vista/

What is Membership Plus and how may I use it?

• Membership Plus (MS+) is a subscription option available to AHSGR members such as Life, Individual, Family, Student and Youth. This is not a standalone AHSGR membership and must be associated with a current membership using a SOAR ID and password.
  
• MS+ provides the following benefits 
• Unlimited download of data (for no additional fee) from any database available in the SOAR site. 
• No masks are present on an image viewed after performing a search for records. 
• No additional credit card processing after the option is purchased and automatically activated
  
• To learn more about MS+, simply click on the Membership Plus link found in “A subscription option is available for AHSGR members as described in Membership Plus.” in the middle of the SOAR Home Page http://www.ahsgrsoar.org/ . Read and follow the instructions on the page that is next presented. Your annual AHSGR membership must be current to subscribe to the option and Life members may subscribe with the annual fee at any time. 
  
• The next time you visit the SOAR site after you have subscribed, click on the View Shopping Cart link and enter your SOAR ID and password and click Submit to identify yourself as a subscribed member. 
  
• The Create My Shopping Cart is next displayed (when your ID and password are recognized). Click Search SOAR to begin searching and viewing records of interest. (Remember, if you are a subscriber to MS+ there are no additional fees to download any file you select.)

Why am I unable to send an e-mail message to SOAR when I click any of the contact soarcoordinator@ahsgrsoar.org or soarlogin@ahsgrsoar.org links?

• "An e-mail message window opens when a link is clicked. Text can be entered into the message but the message is not sent to the SOAR mailbox" - this problem occurs if your e-mail program (such as Outlook Express or Hotmail, etc.) is not set as the default program for all Internet e-mail work. This can be checked and corrected (on a Windows based machine) by selecting Start\Settings\Control Panel\Internet Options\Programs and choosing your e-mail program in the drop down menu for Internet E-mail.

Why am I unable to receive an e-mail message from the SOAR mailboxes?

• This problem can occur if your e-mail program (such as Outlook Express or Hotmail, etc.) is not set as the default program for all Internet e-mail work. This can be checked and corrected (on a Windows based machine) by selecting Start\Settings\Control Panel\Internet Options\Programs and choosing your e-mail program in the drop down menu for Internet E-mail.

How do I print  images I viewed and want a copy of?

• To print a complete SOAR image, you must download it to your computer and then print it. A simple Print option is not available from SOAR except after a file is downloaded.

I downloaded a file that had multiple pages (I selected Purchase the Entire Document) but when I double click the file only page one is displayed. Where are the other pages? 

• All of the pages were downloaded but some image viewers (e.g. Microsoft Image Viewer) only display the first page. If you print the file, all pages will be printed. If you Right Click the file and select Open With and choose either Windows Image and Fax Viewer or Microsoft Office Document Imaging, you will be able to view each page on your computer.