List candidate historical figures first, then search-verify each one against all question constraints
When initial searches return a candidate name, or when the clues strongly suggest a known historical figure and you can form a hypothesis before exhaustive searching.
When a candidate name emerges, immediately switch to targeted verification: search "[person name] [specific detail]" for each constraint. All must match.
If no candidate emerges, use cultural context (Japanese immigrants, American frontiersmen, Indian poets) to narrow the field, then verify when a candidate appears.
Checklist: (1) Time period. (2) Location. (3) Family details. (4) Events/achievements. (5) Remaining constraints.
[person name] [specific detail] [year][person name] children siblings "third child" family[person name] [cultural keywords: internment/frontier/homeopathy]Candidate: Frank Hirata (from Hirata family, Japanese immigrant to Washington).
"Frank Hirata Kazuma returned Japan marry 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920" — confirmed marriage trip"Hirata farmer hotelier Washington" — confirmed occupationCandidate: Samuel Hahnemann (identified via "clay candlestick" detail).
"Hahnemann childhood clay candlestick read books hiding" — confirmed childhood story"Hahnemann five children siblings third of five brothers sisters" — confirmed birth orderContinuing broad searches after a candidate appears: Once you have a name, switch immediately to verification. Broad searches after candidate lock-in waste steps and may introduce confusion.