oomis1105, how is that different no matter who or what the source of the Shidduch is? Can you limit yourself to dating only those who your relatives and close friends know personally? BTW I’ve heard of references being quite candid.
Anyhow, as a single ages, whether a boy or girl, I think people call references less and less, and rely more on networking with people for info (whether right or wrong). After a while the single and their friends get the same names over and over, mostly.