RootsChat.Com
Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: ramjo on Wednesday 11 January 12 23:43 GMT (UK)
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I have located the Ancestral Books site which offers a wide variety of facimile print versions of books of interest to genealogist. Given the wide range of books, it all looks a little too good so I'm a bit sceptical about making a purchase.
I'm keen to know if any RootsChatters have made purchases and the reliability of the service.
Thanks
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If you see words like in books as below -you'd be better sending your brass on a posh hair doo! for value as it means the they know as much about what ever!! as much as you do which is probably now't. ;D
presumptively
familially
tentatively assumed
correlation
Intuitively I suspect
Idioms with hypothesizes
Epistemology
For good value free to all!! is to settle down and read some true to life post threads on this and other ancestry websites!, how people went about with little knowledge to conker the brickwalls/ requests by collective assistance of members of forum websites and build your own knowledge base direct from peoples own experience. Also there are carts loads of free ancestral learning websites all free. LDS and FindMyPast websites are just a few also National Archives website.
Could also try Google books, local studies libraries in town and cities.
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I can't comment on the site or their product, but depending on where your research is, these look to have a very American focus and for 'copies' they look quite expensive. There is so much available free on the internet these days, that you may wish to try a general google search first.
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As far as I understand this site is just selling reprints, they didn't produce the material, hence there can be no overall "rating" for their reliability, as each will be by a different author.
However as a general rule of thumb you should never trust what is stated anywhere (be it book, website or whatever), it should only ever be seen as a clue. If it cites its primary sources then you can check these yourself. If it doesn't then you have to try and work how the author proved the particular link - if indeed they really did.
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I have located the Ancestral Books site which offers a wide variety of facimile print versions of books of interest to genealogist. Given the wide range of books, it all looks a little too good so I'm a bit sceptical about making a purchase.
I'm keen to know if any RootsChatters have made purchases and the reliability of the service.
Thanks
In short! as we are all saying!....... Be sceptical. ..............You won't be far wrong.
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I'll go futher, When it comes to spending money out in Genealogy, Ancestral or Ancestry , also enquire first about websites, for books? try and find someones opinion who has read a particular book or a book review. If you can find one in a library better to view it before you purchase if its expensive.
Big adverts, spam,etc - usually means they want your cash! more than their concern of your education of/in Genealogy
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Are you asking about the reputation of the company? (do they post books promptly, do they have a reliable service etc?)
or
Are you asking about whether the books they sell are any good? (ie accurate in a genealogical sense, value for money etc?)
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When considering paying for anything relating to research, you must bear in mind that the person doing the research will want to guarantee a certain rate per hour for the time it takes to research that particular field.
So, consider how much time you have put into your own research and how much you would want to charge someone for that time. Then consider how many books you would be likely to sell.
I think you would find that the books would be far more expensive than the ones shown on the site.
Rishile
p.s Don't try the above if of a nervous disposition :o :o :o
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Theres a link here! that may interest
http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.ancestry.ancsite/10717.1.1.3.2.1.2/mb.ashx
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If the books they are selling are "out of copyright" then you are very likely to find them digitised online by checking google books, archive.org and gutenberg.org
If you see one you are interested in take a look at these sites and read it for free!
Interesting link Dobfarm... I remember a few instances of spamming posts on rootschat last year along the lines of "I'm thinking of using this company what do people think?" or "I've found a great book on my family at this site". Various other genealogy sites have been targetted too.
Milly
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Hi
I haven't used Ancestral Books so can't comment on them specifically but I have purchased a couple of books published by a similar type of business. Basically they reprint old books that are out of copyright, the quality of the book depends upon the original author but usually if you find a book of interest, google and you will possibly find comments about it.
It is also worth checking the link below as you might find you can download the book for free.
http://www.archive.org/
Andy
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Thanks all for the advice. I have similar views regarding buying books showing the research of others and I am familair with archive.org - a great site.
Aplologies for not being clear with my query - the book I am interested in is a facsimile of a very old book and my question was about the reliability of the supplier in delivering on orders, etc. Having said that, it seems from reading the message board link that there may be some issues.
Thanks again
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Good Luck :) in your endours and remember its cost nothing to shop around for true value. ;)
Dob's
Ps Welcome to Rootschat website !
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A book is only as reliable as it's sources and in some cases how much information said sources are willing to provide. ::)
I myself am in a fairly recent ancestry book written by a relative of a relative. The book isn't on my own ancestors, so I'm kind of a collateral relative in it.
In it, it states that my Gran and Pop did not have any children of their own (correct) and that they raised 1 child - my mother (incorrect, they raised my mom and aunt).
*Also they fail to mention that my Gran is my mom's first cousin.
It also states that I went to a university. (I actually went to a nearby community college.)
*It also fails to mention my aunt's three children, my cousins.
Ah... family drama. ;D Mucking up information everywhere.
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I don't know anything about the quality of their books or their service, but we have banned
at least 10 people (probably more) for spamming us with adverts about this firm..
And, as Dobfarm has seen, (reply #8), we are not the only ones.
Everybody can and will make their own decisions about this,
but I personally feel that any firm that uses such tactics should be viewed with caution.
Bob
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There are a number of companies flogging printed facsimiles of old books - which are often sourced from the internet archive. Really you are paying for getting the book printed - the content is usually available for nothing.
If you want the book in print form there is no reason not to get one - I have a few and am very happy to have them.
Rather than buy direct from a supplier you can usually get them via Amazon - which will give you some added protection if the book doesn't turn up.
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I ordered a book from ancestral books five months ago. They have my money and I don't have my book. I would stay away from them. They have an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau. I have included the link
http://www.bbb.org/charlotte/business-reviews/books-wholesale/ancestral-books-in-indian-trail-nc-218206
Hope this helps.
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Thanks for the advice - I think the BBB posting tells it all. I hope you didn't lose a large sum.
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Hi All
Just a thought! If things turn to the worst scenario thinkable ! if one pays by Credit card (Not Debit) you get some protection I think! :)
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Do not order from this company! I wish I would have seen the BBB post before I sent them my money. I have put a complaint in with the BBB to add to the rest of them. I ordered 3 books from them on November 4 2012. They supposedly sent it to the wrong address first, then I received only one of the three books I ordered on December 24 2012. I have sent multiple e-mails since then with no reply to date.
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Consider instead of buying in these books, or looking for copies on www.archive.org or Google Books, looking in a variety of libraries. The Society of Genealogists is a treasure trove of family histories and research notes, pedigrees, birth briefs and documents. Local FHS and local studies libraries will also hold interesting collections.
There's also a lot digitised on Family Search - follow the links to Books and search from there.