RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: jue on Sunday 02 January 05 14:28 GMT (UK)
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hello can anyone advise me? i am debating subscribing to ancestry,but would like to hear others views.i would like to look at the census information it holds, but also whilst searching on ancestry i found one of my great greats,thomas pearce brough listed in the news paper collection,does that mean the listings are for a thomas pearce brough or a page with the words thomas and pearce and brough on them. ??? ???
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most likely the latter case in my experience :(
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thats was what was i suspected.thanks julie :-\
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In my opinion it's a good site, although I do use it mainly for the census information. After several free trials I decided to subscribe simply because when I worked it out it would save me a lot of money - the subscription seems a lot, but when you think of the amount of look ups you will do, it'll save you a fortune in the long run, especially for the 1901 census.
Regards, Emma ;)
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I tried Ancestry's Britain and Ireland collection a year ago, but cancelled within the 14 days without any problem.
If England and Wales census data is what you're after, its fine, but much of the rest is not what I'd expected. From the descriptions, you'd think they had actual source data, instead there are lots of indexes which refer to microfilmed data I have no easy access to. E.g. service records of the Royal Irish Constabulary.
The Parish and Probate records are likewise merely indexes, and of poor quality.
See as an example below, the result of a search for Archibald Douglas in Scotland.
West Lothian, & Midlothian; Gloucestershire: Edinburgh; Bristol- Commissariot Record of Edinburgh, Register of Testaments, 1514-1600; Bristol Wills, 1572-1792
This is the rol of the parish of Portpatrick above tuelve yeirs of age according to my knowleg and subt. be me Master John Calduell, minister throf this day of Oct 1684. M. J. Calduell.
The Commissarint Record of Edinburgh.
Register of Testaments. First Section--1514-1600. Edited by Francis J. Grant, W.S., Carrick Pursuivant of Arms.
County: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
Skeldie, Archibald, in Gogar. See Douglas, Margaret.
West Lothian, & Midlothian; Gloucestershire: Edinburgh; Bristol- Commissariot Record of Edinburgh, Register of Testaments, 1514-1600; Bristol Wills, 1572-1792
This is the rol of the parish of Portpatrick above tuelve yeirs of age according to my knowleg and subt. be me Master John Calduell, minister throf this day of Oct 1684. M. J. Calduell.
The Commissarint Record of Edinburgh.
Register of Testaments. First Section--1514-1600. Edited by Francis J. Grant, W.S., Carrick Pursuivant of Arms.
County: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
Douglas, Archibald, sometime constable of the Castle of Edinburgh 15 Aug 1590
Midlothan: Edinburgh - Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses and Guild Brethren 1701-1760, (Abercromby-Hepburn) and (Stevenson-Yuill)
1837.
Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses, 1701-1760.
On Top.
County: Midlothia
Country: Scotland
Campbell, Wm., servant to Archd. Douglas of Cavers, B., gratis 15 Apr 1719
Midlothian: Edinburgh - Register of Apprenticies, 1756-1800
Volume 5. The Register of Marriages.
Register of Edinburgh Apprentices 1756-1800
Addenda et Corrigenda.
County: Midlothia
Country: Scotland
Douglas, Archibald, s. of James, shoemaker in Dunkeld, to James Clark, shoemaker, for 6 years 12 Apr 1792
Midlothan: Edinburgh - Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses and Guild Brethren 1701-1760, (Abercromby-Hepburn) and (Stevenson-Yuill)
1837.
Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses, 1701-1760.
On Top.
County: Midlothia
Country: Scotland
Douglas, Alexr., hatmaker, B., be r. of umq. fr. Archd. D., armourer, B. 10 Mar 1708
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Hello!
I think you should definitely try the free trial before deciding. I tried it and decided against it just because I found that they only had some of the information I was looking for and I didnt' think it was worth the money (in my case), but it might be great for you...you never know.
And it's true that it's not a big hastle to cancel your free trial or anything...you just have to remember to do it. The person I had tried to sell it to me when I wanted to cancel, but they accept 'no' for an answer after a few tries, so they're not too pushy (or not in my case anyway). That way you can see if the information they have there will really help you or if it is the correct people that they have listed for your relative.
Kathy
Canada
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Quite apart from cost considerations, I think Ancestry shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to e-mailing you to persuade you to subscribe. They reckon to have "found" your ancestors in various records when you know for an absolute certainty that they haven't. (My grandfather was never in America.) It doesn't give you confidence that a subscription would be worthwhile.
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I decided to take up a monthly subscription with Ancestry.Com after dithering about it for about 2 years. Within a week I had knocked down a few brick walls. I only subscribe to the British Isles records, but the census has been added to all the time. When I joined it just had 1891, it now has 1871, some of 1901 and working on 1851. I have found lots of birth, marriages and deaths on it as well.
I am now into my second year with it.
Jenk1951.
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I use this site mainly for the census information, but have also found leads on the message boards - although most if these are US based. For the census access alone I would recommend it. I have found it easy to trace my roots from 1901 back to 1871 down several lines of enquiry.
Denise