Genealogy Chat

I was lead to believe that I could access this free through Genes Reunited, I can't figure out how, I'm going in circles.. can someone help me?

It just keeps loading all the time :(

Best to go to the 1911 site:

www.1911census.co.uk

You can search for free but can't see actual transcripts unless you buy credits or get a sub. You can find out a lot using free search though..

Jan

Thank you Jan

Oh yes, I've been there, contrary to the add, i have to pay view the results, it's a con.

I need a link to where I can view my grandad's census notes for free.

You can't view for free anywhere - this is the case with all census apart from 1881 as you no doubt know. However, it is possible to check out other members of the household, relationships, even check if an occupation or address matches - I have nudged Jonesey's excellent thread for you, it is on Tips Board.
I have a sub now, but found out lots for free before I did that, so don't dismiss it just yet.
jan

I guess you confirmed it, it's a con, nothing is for free and they are profiting off those adds that say it is free and then charge you... very bad, they should be reported to trading standards.

This is information that should be freely available to the public.. it's a disgrace!

Well, it is a bit sneaky but not strictly untrue as you can search for free!! Give it a go though and see how you get on. I suppose they do have to cover costs to be fair, but I agree it is very expensive for what you get.
Jan

same with ancestry..........advertise free trial............BUT you have to lodge a card up front first,,,,,,,

bob

You have NEVER been able to access the 1911 census through GR .................. and you won't be able to for quite some time.


The only access to the 1911 census is either through the 1911 census site OR through www.findmypast ........ and it is pay per view or subscription to look at the transcript or census image. Although it is possible to search for free on the 1911 site, and to find out a lot of information.

The reason is that the way the transcription of the census has been done was very expensive, it has been released almost 2 years early, and only to findmypast as a means of attempting to recover some of the cost of the transcriptions.


It may become available on ancestry ............... but probably not for at least one mroe year.


GR's gold membership is actually a bit of a con in itself ...................... there is debate among the us members as to how many official records GR actually carries.

I'm one of many who believe that they do not in fact carry any at all ........ they just re-direct you to other sites.


This is why for example, you cannot move from one page to another in a census, or why you only see bmds as an index to names, instead of the record with spouse name possible to see.



Much better to save your money and subscribe to ancestry (my choice) or findmypast ........ and just keep the lowest susb on GR so you can continue to use these boards, and get help from the members on here.




sylvia

many public libraries have now, a computer suite, with a computer set aside for family history only........you have to have a membership card for a library....which is free.

Bob

You'll have to check with your own library, not all local authorities will provide this service and some may only have it at selected libraries. Many will have ancestry library edition but that won't have the 1911 census on it.

No, Kathleen, the info should not be free. (My opinion, to which I'm entitled)

The transcription was VERY costly, and it should not come out of the taxpayers' pockets.

Why should your neighbour help to pay for your research?

The info should be paid for by those who want it - a very small minority of this country's population.

I was about the say the same thing. Tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds to transcribe, index and scan the images and then maintain the database on the web.

I would be interested to hear just which libraries offer free access, I know our library has the Ancestry Library Service, but I'm not aware of they offer free census or FMP access. Other counties may do, but I don't think it is consistent across the country.

Freewheel & InspectorGreenPen

I do agree with your comments re the 1911 census and the costs etc.Some people seem to think the Government should provide everything for free, this is not a cheap hobby, but its less than my Golf fees, perhaps i should ask the Government to pay.LOL

Re access at libraries Last time i visited the Central Library in Nottingham 2 months ago they did have access to the 1911 census on FMP which you could use for free but limited to half hour session.
Dont know if this still applies, but i am going there on thursday, so i will be interested to see if its still available.

George

Elaine

I think you need to make it very clear that you are talking only about UK libraries.

It does not necessarily apply all over the world.


You should also think very carefully about how much use you make of these so-called free services.

Access to quite a few internet sites that actually require the library to pay a subscription (as for the Library edition of ancestry) has either been much reduced over here or there is a charge for using the service

......................... reduction in library support by the local councils means hard decisions have had to be made.



sylvia

Taken from the Nottingham Libraries Website

"1911 Census

The 1911 census is now no longer available at Nottinghamshire Archives.

The 1911 census was only available for a limited time. The National Archives had funded a limited number of credits so that seven archives across the country could provide free access for a limited time only. The length of time that these credits were available depended upon demand.

As the census has been very popular all the credits have now been used.

Story updated: 10 November 2009"

So it looks as though Nottingham was one of the selected areas who did have the 1911 census for free, but no longer does .

I wasn't trying to imply anyone was misleading, but rather that access appeared to be limited to certain areas - 1911 certainly wasn't available for free where I live.

I did have a look on the Notts website, but I couldn't see any obvious reference to FMP, so can't confirm or otherwise at this stage.

Lots on searching local archives including Parish Records, though. Well worth checking out if you have interests in the area.

1911 was rolled out to a handful of libraries for a very limited period.............I doubt if there were more than half a dozen who had it , and once the allocated credits expired, access was withdrawn.

I don't see why anyone would expect to get - for nothing - something to advance what is, after all, only a hobby.

There are far more important things which require public funding.

I'm old enough to have been brought up to expect to pay my way in life..............

Yes, it was restricted. As I said above, the Notts Library site mentions there were just 7 archive centres who were funded by the National Archives.

That is interesting.

People in Nottingham appear to be well served, but the same might not apply elsewhere.

I wonder how many other libraries are offering FMP for 'free' Perhaps members could check out their area and we could compile a list?

I have just returned from a visit to the Central library in Nottingham. i queried what access they have to family history sites online.

This is what i was told

(1) They have access to Find my Past but not the 1911 census, but they will shortly be introducing a pay voucher system to use the 1911 census, but they don't know when this will start or how much.

(2) The Nottingham City libraries do not have access to Ancestry.co.uk

(3) The libraries in the County of Nottinghamshire do not have access to Find My past ,but not the 1911., whether or not they will also have the voucher system i don't know, they do have Ancestry

So it looks as though access to the 1911 will have to be paid for at libraries.

As a council tax payer in the city, i say a good idea , i do not wish to pay for others to use the facilty for free, my tax is enough as it is

\George