Genealogy Chat

Compared with 1901 on line it is a gift. Well worth the money - in fact you could always flog yourself to death for two weeks in the free trial period and find most things you want probably. I signed up quarterly and I think it is cheap at the price.

I'm thinking of subscribing to Ancestry when 1871 Yorkshire and 1901 Yorkshire censuses are on there. I was wondering what else is on there that might be of interest. As far as I understand you can search the civil registration free without subscribing so is it mainly for censuses that people subscribe? Hope I don't sound thick!! Joanne

I have been a subscriber to Ancestry for about 18 months. At first, I found a lot of information on there. The 1891 census is complete, which was very useful. The 1901 census could save you a lot, although it is not complete yet. The 1871 census will be useful when it is all on. The BMD records are the same as FreeBMD so not of any great value. One problem that I have found is that after a while the records do not go back far enough. Not a great deal goes back before 1837.

Try the Quarterly subscription - ie 3 months - if you're unsure you'll get a year's worth out of it. And the civil registration records are free to view on Ancestry, all you have to do is register.

Thanks Rosemaryand John, I don't think any of my ancestors went to the US so thought UK might be simpler? I am 'blessed'? with both Smith and Jones and am finding it difficult to track them very far back. I thought it might be a benefit to join to get a bit further. My other problem is I don't live any where near where they all started! So visits to record offices are not easy. Thanks for the info. I have already had help on this site and not been researching long. Best wishes, Jean

I have not been disappointed with the site. I've managed to find out quite a lot. I'm looking forward to more counties being added. I use the UK info on the American site. Better value that way: about £62.00 for the year.

Jean, I live in the US. Since my father and all his family came from the UK and Ireland and my mother and her parents were born here, I subscribe to both and have benefited greatly. I suppose it depends on what your needs are. There are plenty of people on GC that are willing to research for others who are not subscribers or just have a subscription to the UK or the US.

Thanks Nell, it is a good idea just to do quarterly, especially if funds are tight. elaine:))

Thanks for the advice Nicola. elaine :))

Thanks Mandy, Thats what I thought, I pay more than £6.00 per month in petrol back and forward to the library. elaine:))

Thanks Linda, I enjoy free BMD but can,t always find what I am looking for and that is why I thought about Ancestry.Com. What other sites do you use then? elaine:))

Thanks June, I did not know they had the 1901, I have already spent a small fortune on that site. elaine:))

Thanks Rosemary, I think I will have a go at the free trial. elaine:))

I joined for a quarterly sub and did all the census etc searches I could for all my names to get my moneys worth. I had no difficulty whatsoever when I cancelled it at the end of my 3 months. It was invaluable. You have to weigh your sub against having to go to however many record offices (travel time & expense) to look at census records etc. nell

Is this Ancestry.com or Ancestry UK? I was reluctant to try the US version but wondered if the UK one is alright? I would be interested to know a bit more if anyone has an opinion about the two versions? Thanks Jean

I've seen on here that lots of people have had difficulty in cancelling their subscriptions. However, when you work out that the annual £70 is less than £6 per month, I think it's really good value and like previous replies, it's great to be able to print out images of the actual census pages. Mandy :)

Yes, it's expensive but I have gotten my money's worth and more. Having access to census images have been an enormous help. If you haven't signed up for the free trial, I would urge you to do so. I think it's the best site out there.

I am thinking of joining Ancestory.com but seems quite expensive. Can anyone tell me if they think it offers a good service or not. elaine:))