"Spuro" is a good one for genealogy, since you are looking for "traces" or "trails" of someone's life story.

erinja:"Spuro" is a good one for genealogy, since you are looking for "traces" or "trails" of someone's life story.

That certainly makes sense, Erinja. Thank you. Which word would you use for clue regarding a clue to solving a crime?

jkph00:These are all wonderful suggestions to express not knowing something, but in the context I wish to use it, i.e., discussing how to get through a genealogical stone wall, the word "clue" is of the essence. By "clue" I mean anything that serves to guide or direct in the solution of a problem, mystery, etc.

Would indiko serve for that? I cannot tell clearly from the examples I find in the Tekstaro.

Ŝerloko, kie vi estas?

How about "imago"?

johmue:

jkph00:...By "clue" I mean anything that serves to guide or direct in the solution of a problem, mystery, etc.

Would indiko serve for that? I cannot tell clearly from the examples I find in the Tekstaro.

Ŝerloko, kie vi estas?

How about "imago"?

No, I don't think that's quite what I am looking for. Let me give some examples. Let's say I am a police detective. I am trying to solve why someone murdered a married man. I find lipstick on the collar of his shirt different than what his wife wears. That could be a clue. On his phone records I find a number he called often in the last three days of his life. In fact, the last call he ever made was to that number. That could be a clue. A receipt I find in his pocket for a dinner for two the evening of his death might be a clue. Do you see what I am aiming for?

The German word Hinweis is close. That's why I wondered if indiko or perhaps montro might be it?

jkph00:

johmue:

jkph00:...By "clue" I mean anything that serves to guide or direct in the solution of a problem, mystery, etc.

Would indiko serve for that? I cannot tell clearly from the examples I find in the Tekstaro.

Ŝerloko, kie vi estas?

How about "imago"?

No, I don't think that's quite what I am looking for. Let me give some examples. Let's say I am a police detective. I am trying to solve why someone murdered a married man. I find lipstick on the collar of his shirt different than what his wife wears. That could be a clue. On his phone records I find a number he called often in the last three days of his life. In fact, the last call he ever made was to that number. That could be a clue. A receipt I find in his pocket for a dinner for two the evening of his death might be a clue. Do you see what I am aiming for?

The German word Hinweis is close. That's why I wondered if indiko or perhaps montro might be it?

In your precise context, I would 100% use "spuro".

spuro: Postlasita enpremo, marko, signo, laŭ kiu eblas ekscii, kiu aŭ kio pasis, kion iu faris aŭ kio okazis

nornen:...In your precise context, I would 100% use "spuro".

spuro: Postlasita enpremo, marko, signo, laŭ kiu eblas ekscii, kiu aŭ kio pasis, kion iu faris aŭ kio okazis

Excellent! That certainly clinches it. My warmest thanks to all the kind people who helped me. I learned a whole lot along the way!