The Advanced Search on the Veterans Legacy Memorial Website
To find a WWII Veteran interred in a cemetery that you have identified, you will perform an advanced search on the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website. Browse the images below to familiarize yourself with the advanced search on the VLM website.
![Screenshot of advanced search page on the VLM website](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_large/public/2024-05/VLM-Advanced-Search-Results.png.webp?itok=d7ZhIyf-)
The advanced search page on the Veterans Legacy Memorial website.
![Screenshot of filtering modal](/sites/default/files/styles/featured/public/2024-05/VLM-Filter.png.webp?itok=qUU2Ul0w)
When you click the "Filter" button, a modal or popup window will appear. You can enter your search criteria here.
![Screenshot of how to add a filter](/sites/default/files/styles/featured/public/2024-05/VLM-AddFilter.png.webp?itok=mAJHVG3g)
When you are in the filtering modal, click "Add Filter." This will let you see which specific fields you can search. Select one to add your filters.
![Screenshot of example results in VLM search](/sites/default/files/styles/featured/public/2024-05/VLM-results-example.png.webp?itok=_b-6b5ae)
Screenshot of example results in VLM search
![Screenshot of how to hide columns](/sites/default/files/styles/featured/public/2024-05/VLM-CustomizeColumns.png.webp?itok=x6RjbuQs)
When you want to scan through many search results, it may help to hide some columns. You can do this by clicking "Customize columns" on the search and then toggling unwanted fields off.
What Is an Advanced Search?
To understand what an advanced search is, it helps to first define some vocabulary. Click the annotations on the image to learn some key words.
![](/sites/default/files/2024-05/VLM-Advanced-Search-Results-Top.png)
Annotation Key
Additional Information
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Image
Related Resource
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Keyword vs. Advanced Search
Keyword Search
What is searched? This looks for potential matches in all fields.
Example: Searching for “Wilson” would return anybody with that first, middle, or last name. In the diagram, this keyword search would return all three records.
Example
![Diagram showing the difference in where a keyword vs. advanced search look](/sites/default/files/styles/wide/public/2024-05/VLM-BasicVsAdvancedSearch.png?itok=2HbC9s_A)
Advanced Search
What is searched? An advanced search looks for matches based on the data in a specific field.
Example: Searching the first name field for Wilson would return anybody with that first name. In the diagram, this advanced search would return just the top record.
Test Your Understanding
Here are the first five results from an advanced search on the Veterans Legacy Memorial website.
First Name | Last Name | DOB | DOD | Cemetery | War Period | Service Branch | Decorations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilhelm | Smith | Apr-10-1870 | Oct-30-1925 | Cypress Hills National Cemetery, NY | US Navy | Medal of Honor | |
Thomas | Smith | Not Available | Oct-22-1905 | Mountain Home National Cemetery, TN | Civil War | US Navy | Medal of Honor |
John | Smith | Not Available | Dec-31-1907 | Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot, PA | Civil War | US Navy | Medal of Honor |
Frank | Smith | Aug-22-1864 | Mar-10-1943 | Mount Hope Cemetery, MA | US Navy | Medal of Honor | |
William | Smith | May-11-1838 | Jan-12-1902 | Blossom Hill Cemetery, NH | Civil War | US Navy | Medal of Honor |