RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: james05 on Tuesday 21 August 12 18:56 BST (UK)
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Please when you have to renew your subscription to find my past can you re consider and renew with ancestry?
thank you
jim
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Why
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Hi James,
Only just seen this (we get an email if you message us through this site or reply to a post but not if someone starts a new thread).
We still have a staff desk-only subscription to Ancestry but we have indeed switched over our public network. You can ask at the desk if you'd like a specific Ancestry search.
We think that FindMyPast is simpler to use, clearer and seems to run much faster on our system.
We also liked the reporting system for correcting transcriptions.
But like yourself, 2 or 3 others have said they either preferred Ancestry or FindMyPast does not have the resources they use. Can you let us know why you'd like us to switch back? It all goes into our decision making.
Best wishes,
Swindon Collection
Central Library.
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Hi central library.
I'd prefer ancestry because it has Dorset parish records and Warwickshire. I also find it a lot easier than find my past to navigate around.
jim
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Hi Jim,
Thanks for the feedback.
It all goes into our thinking when it comes to decisions about renewing subsciptions.
Thanks!
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Hello,
I hope you don't mind me adding my opinion, but I would prefer Ancestry as well (for purely selfish reasons). They already have a lot of parish records I use so with you being with FindMyPast I have to flit back and forth between the two.
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Not at all - thanks for letting us know.
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I use ancestry at home so personally it is better for me the library has a different one so I have both options available.
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And thanks again. If we only have one site then we obviously cannot please everyone, but things change and we need to know how our users feel.
Best wishes,
Swindon Collection
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find my past ok but it goes the long way round in searching, and don't give the mother's name !, then the swindon libraries dont pay full inscriptions for ancestry . or at the wiltshire and swindon history centre. i'm more for ancestry. even thoe im not keen on that.
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find my past ok but it goes the long way round in searching, and don't give the mother's name !, then the swindon libraries dont pay full inscriptions for ancestry . or at the wiltshire and swindon history centre. i'm more for ancestry. even thoe im not keen on that.
Hello neolithic,
Thank you for your thoughts.
We're not sure what you mean about the mother's name. I actually prefer the search engine on FindMyPast - but there are differences. We have a full subscription to FindMyPast free for the public to use but our subscription to Ancestry is a one-off staff only account.
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sorry to see you still have a subscription for FindMyPast and not reverted back to ancestry. I suppose there is always next year to hope for.
jim
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Although Ancestry may have more records I'm afraid that the version that was available at Swindon Library was so painfully slow that it was on numerous occasions unusable. I am happy to have FREE access to FindMyPast with the option to ask the staff to look for anything that is only available on Ancestry.
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Hello james05,
Yes, we did stick with FindMyPast. It is a tough choice: we know that advanced researchers and experienced genealogists often prefer the range of resources and datasets on Ancestry, but we had to factor in other issues:
1. How well a service runs on our public & staff PC network. FindMyPast - with some blips - copes much better.
2. How well new users, beginners and those with limited IT skills are able to navigate the site. Again, in our experience we felt FindMyPast is more useful here too.
Most of those who ask us to switch are deep into their research and wanted access to particular records, which is arguably not the main reason we would subscribe. We use these resources to aid and extend our service, rather than just save people subscribing themselves (but it's nice when that also happens!).
Don't forget, we also provide free access to The Times Digital, British 19th Century Newspapers, London Illustrated News, Newsvault and many other useful resources (http://www.swindon.gov.uk/lc/lc-libraries/lc-libraries-internet/Pages/lc-libraries-internet-onlinereferenceresources.aspx). Most of these can be used at home for free with a Swindon Library membership card.
Best wishes,
Swindon Collection
Swindon Libraries
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thanks for the reply swindon local, unfortunately the times digital etc does not give the records that I would of been interested in from ancestry. as I have not been researching long I always felt that ancestry was an easier option to work around than FindMyPast.
I think that there are a fair few people that prefer FREE ancestry and looking at this thread it seems to be the case, certainly talking to customers in the library that was their view also. the staff are not able to look on ancestry in all libraries so it isn't just a case of asking them to look for anything on ancestry. here's hoping things can change later.
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James - Why don't you take out a subscription to Ancestry, then you'll have the best of both worlds. Ancestry at home, FindMyPast at the library.
I think lots of people say they prefer Ancestry because that is what they know and what is advertised on TV etc. Personally, I prefer FindMyPast, although I use Ancestry for some parish records that are not yet available on FindMyPast.
Lizzie
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james05, thanks for the reply.
We know that people have mixed views on this, our point is that we need these sites to be a tool to deliver our service and FindMyPast works best at present.
We mentioned The Times Digital etc as we know that people often are unaware we have subscriptions to them. They can be extremely useful and open up new avenues and leads.
It's worth remembering that those who do their family history research entirely online are really missing out. For instance, we hold microfilm of all local newspapers: if you have any Swindon area family then I would strongly recommend to come in and search for obituaries and funeral announcements in the Evening Advertiser or North Wilts Herald. If you strike it lucky these can supply masses of new information. There are many other resources in our collection that you will not get through either FindMyPast or Ancestry - and the same applies to all Local Studies libraries and Archives. It is always about the nooks and crannies!
You are correct - it is only staff at Central Library in our team who have access to Ancestry Library Edition. If you ever pop in, please come and say "hi" and ask for a mini-tour of what we have - we will be very happy to show you around.
If people are unable to get here you can always contact us by telephone: 01793 463238, or email: localstudies@swindon.gov.uk
Thanks
Swindon Collection
Swindon Libraries
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If people are unable to get here you can always contact us by telephone: 01793 463238, or email: localstudies@swindon.gov.uk
Thanks
Swindon Collection
Swindon Libraries
Back when I first ‘tinkered’ with family history it wasn’t online at all, it was all done at record offices or in London. I have no family from the Swindon area so coming in would be of no help to me unfortunately. I have been in the library many a time, after waiting so long for it, it finally arrived.
Good advert for yourselves though. ;D
I will keep looking online next year to see if in the future whether ancestry have upped their game and presented a better package to you.
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I am happy to have FREE access to FindMyPast
YoungTug - I think that is the point that James is missing.
James - The websites at the library are FREE, so if you're not happy with what they offer, then I suggest you choose a different library. If you live in or near Swindon, then you are not too far away from Oxfordshire, or Gloucestershire, maybe their libraries have Ancestry. Try Cirencester, or Faringdon.
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LizzieW love, I am fully aware that the service is FREE, I have used it often, so I am not missing any point.
as I am not happy with what they offer I will just wait to see what else materialises in the future. Due to disabilities it is not easy for me to travel to other areas now, which is the same for many people, so there is no point in referring me to Cirencester or faringdon.
at the end of the day this service is totally free which is a great help to many, my initial post was merely to ask if the library would reconsider the subscription, to which they have answered.
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James - Sorry I hadn't realised you had disabilities that prevented you travelling further afield. I suppose for every person like you who prefers Ancestry, there is another one who prefers FindMyPast.
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you're are quite right for every person who prefers ancestry there is another that prefers FindMyPast. as mentioned I was originally asking whether there would be a chance that they could revert back to ancestry, obviously FindMyPast is better suited as far as they are concerned. it is no big deal and I will await a decision for next time.