The Tamayo Family
A Philippine Genealogy Case Study
Breaking Through Philippine Research Barriers with Modern Technology
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The Challenge
Why Philippine Records Are So Difficult to Find
Manila, 1945 - Much of the Philippines' genealogical heritage was lost forever
Philippine genealogy presents unique obstacles that frustrate even experienced researchers. The archipelago's complex history of colonization, warfare, and natural disasters has created a perfect storm of record destruction that makes family research extraordinarily challenging.
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The Breakthrough
FamilySearch Full Text Search
In 2024, FamilySearch launched Full Text Search in beta mode—a revolutionary tool that searches the actual text content within digitized documents rather than just indexed names and dates. This technology promised to unlock millions of previously unsearchable records hidden within document images.
I decided to test this new capability with a simple query: "Tamayo" + "Aklan Philippines".
The results were extraordinary.
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The Discovery
A 26-Year Family Saga
The Full Text Search revealed a treasure trove of property records spanning 1958-1984, documenting the Tamayo family's complete financial journey through one of the most turbulent periods in Philippine history.