Genealogy Chat

Probably Peter, I don't really know, as I really don't use Ancestry to the full. Just finding census images for all the people on my tree takes enough time, and as I said I really only use Ancestry now for passing the time on these message boards.

I only gave the list to give people an idea of just what is available apart from BMD's and census records.

Kath. x

Kath,

I may be wrong but I imagine most of that stuff is post-1837.

Peter

Just some of the things listed on Ancestry:-
Census
- UK census collection
- Irish 1766 Religious Census
- more...


Birth, Marriage & Death
- UK & Ireland Parish & Probate
- England & Wales, BMD Index
- English Settlers in Barbados
- more...


Immigration/Emigration
- Irish Immigrants : New York Port
- Persons of Quality Original List
- more...


Military
- Indian Army Records
- Royal Irish Constabulary
- British Army WWI Pensions - Updated
- WWII Newsreels
- more...


Directories & Member Lists
- British Phone Books
- Cambridge University Alumni
- Early UK and U.S. Directories
- more...


Court, Land & Probate
- UK & Ireland Parish & Probate
- Irish Flax Growers Index List
- more...


Reference & Finding Aids
- Family Facts
- England Topographical Dictionary
- Ireland Gazetteer & Surname Guide
- more...


Stories & Publications
Family & Local Histories
- Scots-Irish
- Irish Records Index
- more...


Newspapers & Periodicals
- Southern Railway Magazine
- Irish Independent Obituaries
- more...


Kath. x

Jim,

Thanks for the information. I suppose it depends whether there are enough counties you have an interest in.

Peter

Having entered pre 1700 I found these:-

370,078 Lancashire, England: Parish and Probate Records
308,491 Shropshire, England: Parish and Probate Records
192,643 Staffordshire, England: Parish and Probate Records
154,259 Devon, England: Parish and Probate Records
104,765 Cornwall, England: Parish and Probate Records
102,287 Lincolnshire, England: Parish and Probate Records
68,954 Somerset, England: Parish and Probate Records
65,637 London, England: Parish and Probate Records
64,884 Middlesex, England: Parish and Probate Records
62,750 Huntingdonshire, England: Parish and Probate Records

My question is slightly different: is it worth having Ancestry if you have largely finished with the census and civil registration period? What data does it hold that will take you back before 1837?

Peter

Can't find the thread, sorry.

I'd definitely recommend Ancestry - you really can't do family history online without it, as has already been said.

Yes, you can see most things that you will use ancestry for in other places - like family history centres, libraries and record offices - but it's nowhere near as convenient as sitting at home in front of the computer, and just think of all the travelling expenses and time you would use.

The complete BMD index is just pages and pages of names, districts, volume numbers and page numbers, which you have to search through qtr. by qtr. but it is as complete as humanly possible, whereas FreeBMD is only up to about 1920. The complete index is just starting to get the beginning of 2006 on it. I'd pay the money just for the census details alone.

I like having access to Ancestry so much, that I still have a subscription even though I am not actively doing my own family history at the moment. My hobby is just to come on the boards and do the odd look-up as and when I feel like it.

At about £1.50p per week, what else can you get that will give you so much.

Kath. x

Yes, yes and yes again. I wouldn't be without Ancestry. I really can't afford it at the moment (I pay monthly) but I swear I would feel as though my arm had been cut off if I didn't have it!

I know you still have to fork out for certificates, but you can view/search the indexes that aren't on freeBMD (c1920-2005) and the census info alone makes it worth the money. Yes, you can get look ups from other kind people but it is not the same as finding someone for yourself and seeing the actual image from over 100 years ago!

In fact, if I had to make a choice between Ancestry at nearly £80 per year or this site at c£20 per year, I know which I'd choose and I wouldn't be replying to your thread now.

Sam x

Thanks everyone, I seem to be getting nowhere with my Mum's side who came from Derbyshire. I can't find them on familysearch or anywhere.

Leanne, you will get the information is different depending on the year and type of index. I'm sure there was a thread recently on this. I'll look and see if I can find it to bump it.

Leanne, you can use freebmd to get a lot of the bmd records without ancestry - up to the early 1900s as the blessed volunteers (thank gawd for them) are still working their way through transcribing the index for us so we can search by name.

This partial freebmd info is on ancestry but ancestry also has the complete index but it is a case of looking through all the images to find your people. You get on both freebmd and ancestry complete index the GRO reference which you use to buy the certificate.

Hi Leanne, I'm one of those that Summer Scribe is talking about. I was only offered 3 days free online but I had heard it was 14 days, so I rang them to query it. The result was they offered me one month free trial and reduced the sub from £79.95 to £55.95, simply because I was on the phone.

Go for it, even the phone number is free!.

Duncan

Thanks Heather

With the BMD records, what do you get to see? Is it just the name and month, or do you get parents names etc?

Leanne

I think haggling is going to be more difficult now they have been bought out.

The only way to view certs is by buying them from the GRO but you can view the full indexes for the BMD's, the censuses (England & Wales - not sure if they have all of Scotlands), british army pension records from WW1 and quite a few other things.

I would phone them though and try and haggle a deal as some people on here have reported being able to get it for as little as £55. Not sure how though.

Leanne, there are threads on this nearly every week and without doubt YES we all use it - its what we are using to find all census results 1841-1901 plus WW1 army pensions plus births, marriages and deaths and lots and lots of other stuff. You cant do this hobby online without it. You can use it 24/7 for as long as you want, no units to buy.

No, you cant view certificates at all - you have to buy certificates for £7 from GRO online.

Get a 14 days free trial and see what you get.

on ancestry?

Would you recommend it?
Can you view actual images of full BMD certificates?

Many Thanks
Leanne