having a problem with CWGC database

[larneman]

Hello one and all,

I am trying to find a T. Moore {WW1} mentioned on a memorial in the Larne grammar school for old students who gave their live in WW1 and WW2.

When I search the SWDG I find 106 names that connect with T. Moore and 4 officers. When I visit the CWGC and enter Moore and then a T, WW1, it finds no records. Is this a known problem??

Liam

[Derek Robertson]

Their database opened up for me.

It lists 157 records though I notice that the first 2 records listed don't contain a "T" in the forename.

[Terry Denham]

It is a function of the inaccuracy of the information.

SDGW has many errors and omissions. Some of its listed men did not die or, more often, used other names (and certainly initials). Likewise the info supplied to CWGC by the military was from a different source and also varies. Spellings often varied also. Generally, CWGC is more accurate than SDGW.

I suspect that the vast majority of names do appear on CWGC but you can't find them due to variations in information (eg the initial 'T' appearing as 'J' in one or other of the databases).

Post half a dozen examples here and we shall see what we can find.

[Terry Denham]

The problem I think Derek is referring to is a function of CWGC's database which shows up omitted initials.

When you select a name plus initials on the CWGC database, you get a matching list plus all names (at the beginning) which do not have any initials - mostly African and Asian names.

This also allows any entries which have had their initials omitted from the 'Initial' field in error to show up.

There were several examples of this type of error but they have now been corrected in the database. These corrections do not show up on the internet because that database is a static copy of the central database which was produced on 02.06.03 and does not reflect subsequent changes.

[larneman]

Hello again,

I was getting zero output for any search on Moore with and without a T last night.

I see that Derek Robertson did not hav any problems so I am off to try it again.

UPDATE:- It's working again and I have 157 names to look at.

Thanks for your time and comments

liam

PS. Thanks for the tip on how a data typist can mistake a "T" for "J" or vise versa

[SPotter]

Terry,

To pick up on a point you make

"There were several examples of this type of error but they have now been corrected in the database. These corrections do not show up on the internet because that database is a static copy of the central database which was produced on 02.06.03 and does not reflect subsequent changes."

When is the next (or is it the first?) update to the online database due?

Regards

Steve

[Terry Denham]

Hopefully there will not be one.

CWGC are avoiding such an exercise as their new system should be up and running in the not too distant future - the current facility only being temporary.

Their new system is for internal use and not just for public access to the database. The new system is due to utilise the 'live' database rather than a static copy. It is under test as we speak.