Google Search
Not only does Google give the most relevant results for genealogy searches, it also has tremendous flexibility. Use a few very precise keywords and the following operands for best results.
+ Use a plus sign before words that you want to appear in your search results without stemming - that is, no variation of the word.
- Use a minus sign before words that you don't want to appear in your search results.
~ Use the tilde sign before words for search results that include synonyms.
" Place a name between double quotes to search for exact occurances of the name.
OR Use the OR operand to receive results that contain only one of the query words or phrases.
* Use the asterisk as a wild card; ie. for a middle name.
... Use a number range search to match any one year in a range of years, i.e. 1700...1750
Sample entries:
"John Smith" OR "Smith, John" OR "John * Smith"
"John Smith" Belfast Ireland 1820...1870
"John Smith" "Thomas Smith" Ireland ~genealogy
+Powers PA OR Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre 1800...1810
Fox family -animal
Easy Google Genealogy Searcher
Easy Google Genealogy Searcher, Part II
Google Tips for Genealogists
Step by Step Google Genealogy