NORS: Norfolk Online Record Search
User Guide
How to Search the NORS database: Quick Search
The easiest and most obvious way of searching the NORS database is to use the Quick Search facility located in the top left corner of the screen. A Quick Search will search both Surnames and Record Classifications (see below for an explanation of Record Classifications) but does not search First Names or other fields such as Maiden Names.
The Quick Search defaults to an EXACT search so only those records which contain an exact match for the Surname you have entered will be displayed. For example, a search for 'SMYTH' will not display 'SMYTHE' or other variations. The Quick Search can therefore be useful when you want to search for an unusual surname because there are likely to be few entries displayed in search results.
A Quick Search also provides a quick means of gauging which parishes contain more instances of a given Surname as the number of matching entries from each parish are displayed alongside each Source. This is useful where you do not know the forenames of an ancestor's parents or the parish from where they came.
You must enter a minimum of 3 alpha characters in order to perform a Quick Search. Any non-alpha characters, such as % or * wildcards are disgarded and will not affect search results.
For common surnames it may be better to start with an Advanced Search as this will enable you to filter search results to a certain date range and include variations on a surname.
Record Classifications
Iin addition to providing the facility to search the NORS database for a given Surname the Quick Search Facility also enables you to search Record Classifications. The Record Classification scheme contains a list of Norfolk Parishes and Registration Districts. Each parish is then sub-divided into classifications for Baptisms, Burials, Banns and Marriages (as applicable).
A Quick Search therefore provides a quick way of checking what transcripts, if any, have been uploaded to NORS for a particular parish. For example, entering 'ASHMANAUGH' in the Quick Search box will display details of all Record Classifications for this parish (which in the case of Ashmanaugh corresponds to parish registers covering baptisms, burials, banns and marriages).
As an example, suppose I want to search for the surname 'Howes' but restrict my search to Ashmanhaugh parish banns:-
First enter 'Ashmanhaugh' in the Quick Search search box located in the top left corner of the screen and click 'Go'. Details of Record Classifications and Records for the parish are displayed.
Records for the parish of Ashmanhaugh
Essentially, 'Record Classifications' and the 'Records' contain similar information. However, Record Classification also includes brief details about a parish including a Map Grid Reference and the name of the Registration District in which the parish was situated. (An overview of Norfolk Registration Districts can be viewed by following the link).
Clicking on the 'View Document' 
icon against a Record Classification, followed by any 'Sub-Class' link would take you to the actual 'Records' view. Therefore, simply click on the 'Records View' 
icon for the type of register you wish to search, either baptisms, burials, banns or marriages to display the Search screen for this parish register.
Enter 'Howes' in the Search box will display all matching 'Howes' entries.
If a particular register (baptisms, etc.) are not displayed this either means no transcripts are currently available or that the transcripts have not yet been uploaded to NORS.
Finding related Banns and Marriage entries
You can find all other 'Howes' entries recorded in a parish register by clicking on the Magnifying Glass (Search) 
icon to the left of the Surname for a particular entry. This applies to each datafield, so clicking on the Search icon to the left of the Date will list all other entries recorded on that date. This facility is useful when viewing Marriages and Banns as clicking on the Magnifying Glass icon beside the date will display all entries from the register with the same date, including those of bride, groom and witnesses (in the case of marriages).
Important Note: It is not possible to view all the entries from a particular parish register using Quick Search. You will still need to enter a Surname to search within a Parish register.
Locating All Recordsets for a Particular Type of Register
The Quick Search view may be used to locate all recordsets for a particular type of parish register. Simply enter 'Baptisms', 'Burials', 'Banns' or 'Marriages' into the search box and click 'Go' to display all matching recordsets held in NORS.
A maximum of 10 Record Classifications and 10 Records will be displayed. However, clicking on the link showing a count of all Records (see screenshot) will display the entire list of baptisms, burials, banns or marriages as applicable.
It is recommended that Users simply use the 'Records View' details of all parish registers for a particular type of register (baptisms, burials, banns or marriages). However, for the sake of completeness it should be noted that in addition to the Record Classifications and Records described above, the search results will display a summary of actual datasets under the 'Transcriptions' view.
The Transcriptions view provides an alternative way of viewing identical information to that also available under the Records view. Clicking on the 'Transcriptions View' 
icon will display a Search screen for the related parish register identical to that available from the Records View.
