RootsChat.Com
Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: dizzybella on Saturday 01 March 14 13:15 GMT (UK)
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Anyone having problems with the new FindMyPast..i cannot veiw images, or print direct from the site..no print button..
Continued from:
The new Findmypast (Part 1) (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=681106.0)
The new Findmypast (Part 2) (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=682699.0)
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What are you trying to print :-\ Looking at census transcripts does it give the option to see the printer friendly version
Rosie
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there no option to print..when i veiw images there just a blank page
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Sorry I can't be of more help, I still have the old version for my credits.
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i wonder why mine has change to the new version,..i think you must have to veiw, open image to print from there...but i can't veiw the images..its just blank
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I think they plan to phase it in so we don't all shout at them at once :-\
I was going to suggest contacting them but their office hours are Mon-Fri http://www.findmypast.co.uk/contact-us
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Yes I notice at times it shows as blank, ignore, save to your computer then open from your computer and you will see the image is saved...........
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I've a subscription and am still on the old site, although do get the new search and viewer for the British India Office records and even this has changed since they originally launched them. There was somewhat of a delay in the image appearing when I tried it just now and only get a download option so you would have to save it to print. I have to admit I prefer the "new" viewer they were trialling when the BIO records first appeared rather than this one. ::)
dizzybella, the problem may be a browser plug-in that they are using on the new viewer, although as far as I can see my IE11 is only using Adobe Shockwave Flash. I think, as Rosie, has said, you'll need to phone them during office hours.
As Rosie says, they are apparently moving people over gradually, although I did originally click the link to be moved over sooner than later, but nothing has happened so far ....
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Hi All,
Is anyone else having problems with the FindMyPast new format?
I logged on today to find that I have been 'shifted' to the new format. I wanted to search the census records and found that not only did I not like the new format (bad luck for me), but after searching for my person and selecting the correct one from the list presented, I could no longer view the transcript for the household. I can only view the transcript for the person I selected.
In addition, because my person could not be found in the 1891 census, I tried to search for the 1881 address in 1891 (something I could do on the old format) to see who was living there and whether it was my person. However, that facility also seems to have been removed as I could not do it. There is a box for an address but I think that is assuming you have already entered a name but if I tried to search the address without a name, I couldn't get it to work. Has anyone else tried or been able to?
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but on face value, the 'improvements' they have made to this site have removed some of the features I used. What do others think who are using it?
Regards Eliza.
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There is a discussion on this, so far 19 pages, titled The new Findmypast in Census and Resource Discussion
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=681106.0
Mick
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Hi Mick,
Thanks for that, I didn't realise that. Mmmmm 19 pages, not just me then! I've just added my voice to the topic you have given the link for.
Regards Eliza
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Talk about rubbing salt in the wound but the advert I am getting on this page on rootschat at the moment is for findmypast :o
Rosie
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Has anyone yet found a way to save newspaper images? The method FindMyPast give in their FAQ to print, which firsts involves saving the image doesn't work. It only saves as complete web page not pdf. Just found a newspaper report that supports a family story of a financial scandal among half a million largely irrelevant hits and am likely to lose track of it if I can't save.
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I was similarly desperate and saved my newspaper report using screen save.
Think that further back on this thread (or the previous) someone mentioned snip tool but I haven't worked out how that works yet.
Good luck.....we need it :)
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I used the snipping tool, the other day, when I finally found new stuff on the new FindMyPast in the newspapers. It is like a cropping tool you use for photos. :D
Cheers
KHP
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Think that further back on this thread (or the previous) someone mentioned snip tool but I haven't worked out how that works yet.
This was the previous suggestion using the windows snipping tool. It's not ideal, but without the save button there are few options.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=681106.msg5267484#msg5267484
Simon
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Anyone trying to contact FindMyPast by telephone don't bother. Just spent 10 mins on hold I was call 3 in the line - then came the message we can't take your call leave a message or email.
R
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Great.
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Mike - I complained about that, quoting a search I was doing as evidence. Guess what they changed it just for that search and ignored the rest of the site ::)
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They're listening to all our feedback and improving the service is their top priority.
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Well I`m very pleased to report that I have just discovered I still have the old search on my tablet. ;D There`s no logic to it ::)
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They're listening to all our feedback and improving the service is their top priority.
Is that an ironic comment?
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It's what they were telling us - before they stopped replying!
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My (very politely worded) suggestion on the feedback forum about reinstating the "known issues" information re the censuses, formerly found in the Knowledge Base, has vanished. Deleted?
I know it is far from the most pressing issue (!) but why would they delete it?
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For any one who is unable to "sign in" to the new site because of unrecognised e-mail or password try resetting your password. It worked for me. :)
Maddie
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For those having trouble with the newspaper images, this offer may be of interest:
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=682882.msg5273284
I must say I find the BNA site really good and easy to use.
(I know it involves further outlay, but a couple of people have said they're desperate).
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And they're offering one month at very reduced rate. Still don't know how they got my email
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Hmmm. Perhaps I shouldn't be suggesting that people pay them any more money...
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seems like two different offers at different prices
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=682882.msg5273284#msg5273284
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Has this been mentioned on here, I can't see for looking :)
Search historical records (in United Kingdom)
http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/historical-records?region=united%20kingdom&page=1
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Useful link Rosie99, thanks
Just checked on "Abingdon men who died in WW1" through link, see Abingdon's moved county again!
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Useful link Rosie99, thanks
Just checked on "Abingdon men who died in WW1" through link, see Abingdon's moved county again!
::) ::) Typical. One day we might get perfection
Rosie
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I also found a little box checked which I don't recall seeing before and I never would have checked it if I had.
It said:
"Allow this website to share anonymised data with Google and Comscore to help us better understand usage patterns"
Yes I've just been in to my account and noticed that's ticked. Does anyone know when they implemented it? I don't remember ever seeing it on the old site but didn't often access my account details on there. Being the cynic that I am, I don't believe anything is entirely anonymised whatever they say. ::)
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Wasn't there a couple of months ago when I changed my password.
I wonder what the legality is to opt one in by default to something which could potentially disclose confidential information to a third party
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Wasn't there a couple of months ago when I changed my password.
I wonder what the legality is to opt one in by default to something which could potentially disclose confidential information to a third party
Wasn't there when I last looked a while ago either. I've just unchecked it. I think they should have informed us - bit like the NHS database!
I usually check details every so often but certainly missed that one.
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I thought I'd advised everyone to untick that box at the same time as unticking auto-renew but I've been on so many sites recently with that info, perhaps I missed out Rootschat. It is certainly a new addition and a bit sneaky if you ask me.
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I, like so many others, sent FindMyPast my feedback re. the 'Contact Us' facility. Didn't expect to get a reply but received one a short while ago.
However, although it is quite a lengthy reply (from Liam Kelly) I suspect it is a standard reply that is going out. 2/3rds of it explains how wonderful the new search facility is!!!! The rest is basically thanking for feedback, we are listening, pledge to do what we can to improve and speed up your search. Excuse me, but the banner on home page states 'Findmypast just got better'. If that was the case they wouldn't need to improve and speed up the search.
The bit that stands out to me is 'We are aware that the new search facilities have not suited our more experienced customers'. Hello, it is your more experienced customers who have been recommending your site for years - something which, in all conscience, we cannot do right now.
With six months remaining on my subscription I just feel like I've been cheated. An excellent service now reduced to an inferior one. I too have been into my account and 'unticked' the 2 boxes referred to earlier.
Annette
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The bit that stands out to me is 'We are aware that the new search facilities have not suited our more experienced customers'.
Interesting!
It is so frustrating. Whoever has designed it just doesn't know how we work. I have just revisited a search on the recently-added British India Office records done successfully a couple of weeks ago.
Then: I identified a couple via their son's baptism, and was able to use the parents' names to find another son of theirs whose existence was not previously known about.
Now: I simply cannot find a way to use the parents' names to find other children of theirs.
They seems to think that all searches involve entering the name of a target individual and preferably already knowing where and when said target was born, married and died!
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After a lot of searching found this
http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search/united-kingdom-records/birth-marriage-death-and-parish-records/births-and-baptisms/england-and-wales-births-1837-2006
Mothers maiden name looks like an afterthought box a little way down on left hand side.
Considering that BMD searches were what they started out doing - when I joined it was still 1837online, they are making searches extraordinarily difficult
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Does anyone else think they've retranscribed some records. Just checked my grandmother because I hadn't previously downloaded her birth reg entry scan and found she has the wrong middle initial on the transcript. Sure it was correct before. Clear as anything on the scan of the register. Have submitted correction.
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After a lot of searching found this
http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search/united-kingdom-records/birth-marriage-death-and-parish-records/births-and-baptisms/england-and-wales-births-1837-2006
Mothers maiden name looks like an afterthought box a little way down on left hand side.
Thanks - doesn't seem to apply to the British India Office records I was using though - wanted to use father's names and mother's given name to find their children.
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I used to search in census using occupations and counties as my criteria, I have struggled and now I presume that option is no longer available
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Thanks - doesn't seem to apply to the British India Office records I was using though - wanted to use father's names and mother's given name to find their children.
Is it not working with putting them in the optional keyword box now then? I know when they were first launched and could access through the old site, it did work adding them in that box. :-\
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I've found that if you put things in more than one search box it will randomly ignore some of them. So I can either have all the inhabitants of Berkshire or all the Wheelwrights in UK
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I've found that if you put things in more than one search box it will randomly ignore some of them. So I can either have all the inhabitants of Berkshire or all the Wheelwrights in UK
I've found that it has totally ignored the town entered, but it will accept the same place as a parish.
I've noticed that when I just searched for a surname, without specifying a county, in the results are names and parishes and districts too, but not counties.
So that makes it more difficult to find ancestors who have strayed from their birth county.
and it was all soooooo s-l-o-w,
Lisa
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I, like so many others, sent FindMyPast my feedback re. the 'Contact Us' facility. Didn't expect to get a reply but received one a short while ago.
I've sent 3 msgs via contact us, one on Tuesday, 2 today, but no replies to any.
The bit that stands out to me is 'We are aware that the new search facilities have not suited our more experienced customers'.
but not an apology . . . the mind boggles at the mess up they have created . . .
Lisa
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I thought I sent one via Contact Us on Tuesday, and two yesterday, but did get a reply today saying they'd not received the first one (may not have pressed the second submit button :-X). Was polite but not of any real help. They did say they were rather busy at the present time. ;D ;D
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They did say they were rather busy at the present time
I would think that's a bit of an understatement. ;D ;D ;D
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;D Well still trying folks! Read a "Positive" on their Facebook page, an IT guy ( Not theirs I think) who suggested we stop the drama & compensation chatter, they're fixing them, above all they are apologetic etc etc; basically wait a few weeks of your life until it backs up and working, really what's your problem.
Above is an abridged version to show we have nothing to worry about!
Keyboard86
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Well still trying folks! Read a "Positive" on their Facebook page, an IT guy who suggested we stop the drama & compensation chatter, they're fixing them, above all they are apologetic
He says that 'they have technical issues' and ends up saying 'what's your problem'. He clearly has no understanding of the release of quality, well designed, thoroughly tested products, and he relates the issues FindMyPast are having with his IT tech support department, incredible.
I think more wind up than positive :) :) so still no positives anywhere.
Simon
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While trying to enter Northumberland as a place of birth in an 1851 census search I was offered these little gems as possible birthplaces
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It gets worse. 1861 census
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While trying to enter Northumberland as a place of birth in an 1851 census search I was offered these little gems as possible birthplaces
;D Also when for what seemed the 100th time in finding where to place birth place in a census, I was offered by the blessed filter system, Hampshire, Essex Hampshire, Middlesex and Hampshire Isle of Wight plus more, any idea where the other 2 are when if Essex or Middlesex would have entered as such on the old search?
Keyboard86
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Just thought I would go back to basics and watch the introductory videos on FindMyPast news to see if I could make head or tail of the site.
The first short video shows you how to search for marriages (provided you want only a simple search) but when it ends the screen divides into the option of 12 more videos. 3 of those are how to search on ancestry.com !!!! is FindMyPast suggesting we all move to another provider?
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From the new FindMyPast Ts & Cs:
"Changes to the website or records: We reserve the right to make changes to the website, including the records and services we offer, without notice; however, we would not be in business very long if we suddenly took things away that you've paid for without offering you a decent replacement".
I've emailed them pointing out that taking away things we've paid for without offering a decent replacement is exactly what they've done, so when is it exactly that they expect to go out of business and can I please have a full refund before they do.......
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Well still trying folks! Read a "Positive" on their Facebook page, an IT guy who suggested we stop the drama & compensation chatter, they're fixing them, above all they are apologetic
He says that 'they have technical issues' and ends up saying 'what's your problem'. He clearly has no understanding of the release of quality, well designed, thoroughly tested products, and he relates the issues FindMyPast are having with his IT tech support department, incredible.
I think more wind up than positive :) :) so still no positives anywhere.
Simon
Then there's the post (on Facebook) from a woman who thinks the site is wonderful, doesn't know why we're all complaining and said we should be happy to use the "breadcrumbs" across the top and then helpfully gave a link to an IT company that has something to do with said breadcrumbs. To you and me, breadcrumbs are apparently words across the top of the screen, like on Rootschat, where we have Home, Forum, Help, Search, My Profile, etc. etc.
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To you and me, breadcrumbs are apparently words across the top of the screen, like on Rootschat, where we have Home, Forum, Help, Search, My Profile, etc. etc.
Well, you learn something new every day. To me, breadcrumbs are the things I try to avoid getting in my keyboard. ;D ;D
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Some good information from posts on the WDYTYA forum from a couple of IT people re why these changes have been implemented to the site.
The WDYTYA people are planning on posting the results of a detailed Q&A with FindMyPast next week.
Unless they split the site to the "old" version for traditional users and the "new one" for tablet and mobile (likely incurring increased cost) I'm doubtful they will be able to satisfy their current subscribers - even when all the problems are sorted out.
Their PR throughout all this has been patronizing and arrogant. At the moment, adding a free month or two to subscriptions is pretty useless when the new site is not delivering basic service.
They are expecting all the "whiners" will eventually accept their changes and learn new ways of looking for information - sadly they are probably correct in their assumption. They don't care it now takes us 6+ clicks and a lot more box filling to find the information. After all they may well be happy to get rid of a couple of thousand heavy users of the site as this will reduce the load on their servers. They know the deals they have made with LDS, National Archives, etc will continue to pay off no matter what quality of service they offer.
As in so much in the "tech" brave new world, the trap has been well and truly sprung.
Sometimes I'm glad I'm getting old >:( :(
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I have just checked into the site after a few days away and I have obviously been changed over to the "New". But nothing is working. All I am getting is the error message and if I click on anything highlighted it takes me to a "connect to support email". Do I have to do anything to connect to the new version, I would have not thought so. I suppose I'll have to wait until it is sorted. Not happy, Jan.
Gazania
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I have just tried again and the site is working very well. So far I am pleased. I tried a blanket search for my rare name on the census subset. So easy, all my relatives, both in England, OZ & USA were shown from 1800, 1841 census & on to the electoral rolls in OZ, although I only have a subs to the UK records.
I am not too sure how I will go with a tricky search or downloading or printing. But so far so good. Thanks FindMyPast. Gazania
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This has never worked for me and I have sent several emails to FindMyPast about it.
Usually I do remember my password after a few days or so, the problem is I so rarely use FindMyPast.
For any one who is unable to "sign in" to the new site because of unrecognised e-mail or password try resetting your password. It worked for me. :)
Maddie
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I also found a little box checked which I don't recall seeing before and I never would have checked it if I had.
It said:
"Allow this website to share anonymised data with Google and Comscore to help us better understand usage patterns"
Yes I've just been in to my account and noticed that's ticked. Does anyone know when they implemented it? I don't remember ever seeing it on the old site but didn't often access my account details on there. Being the cynic that I am, I don't believe anything is entirely anonymised whatever they say. ::)
Keep checking folks. I unticked them last week and the ticks were back when I just checked! I only joined for a month to check the newspapers. And while I think about it, is anyone having problems finding baptisms for PRs. All I seem to get is deaths and marriages, even though I put in an approx. date of birth.
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Keep checking folks. I unticked them last week and the ticks were back when I just checked!
Are you sure that you pressed 'Update details' when you unchecked? I had an e-mail confirmation that my details had been updated and they still are.
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:-\ Hmm? I think I did, Gadget...there again who knows with me ::)
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To you and me, breadcrumbs are apparently words across the top of the screen, like on Rootschat, where we have Home, Forum, Help, Search, My Profile, etc. etc.
Just FYI:
"Breadcrumbs" is used here in the sense of laying a trail of breadcrumbs, to get back to where you came from.
So on this topic, the breadcrumbs are this line:
RootsChat.Com » Census Lookups General Lookups » Census and Resource Discussion » Re: The new Findmypast (Part 3)
Bob
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The bit that stands out to me is 'We are aware that the new search facilities have not suited our more experienced customers'.
the more I think about this, the more annoying it is, it's not a question of the 'new search facilities' not suiting', they are simply 'not working'. Eg (one of endless examples) - on a census search drop down menus for +/- yrs on a birthdate are blank. So if a 'new subscriber' (if such a person exists) tried it, it still wouldn't work.
They've introduced a system which obviously hasn't been checked either to see if it does what is required or that it actually works - it does neither.
As soon as they did this, people were telling them about the problems, yet they continued to move people over to a system which wasn't working and wasn't providing the same information as the old one.
Their whole attitude to their existing client base is appalling.
Lisa
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Aaaaargh, I've been "downgraded" in the last few minutes... ??? ??? ??? ??? ::)
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It's really odd as although I was told I'd been switched about 4 days ago, as long as I go in through my bookmarked site, I'm still on the old one. If I use the iPad though I'm on the new one. I wonder if they have a date when they are switching off the old one completely?
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Today is the first time I've tried to research something I don't know any answers to - an address from 1908, trying to find it on the 1901 census via the address search.
I entered Margate as the registration district (knowing that it ignores towns),
Kent as the county and then the road name.
The first time (yes I had to have several tries) there was a drop down menu for the road name and I opted for the first one on the list, which was the same as the one I typed.
Result over 37,000 names starting in Cheltenham. - that was the 'best' result ::)
Every time I went to edit search, all previously entered detail had gone, and I had to start again, never saw the drop down box for the street names again.
Absolutely useless.
Sent another msg via contact us.
That makes 4 sent in total, no replies at all.
I don't think it matters whether I'm using a laptop, tablet, pc, whatever, it clearly doesn't work.
Surely they cannot expect people to pay for something that is clearly not fit for purpose.
Lisa
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I've just found my saved searches under my account and ......
Nothing totally empty!!!
::) ::)
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I've just found my saved searches under my account and ......
Nothing totally empty!!!
::) ::)
Click on the My Records tab between Search Records and News. ::) They aren`t making it easy ::)
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I've still got 10 days missing from "My Records" 21st March to the dreaded 1st April. When I asked FindMyPast what had happened to them and could they retrieve. Their response was to agree they couldn't see them either and asked if I could tell them what I had searched for. I told them a few things I could remember but they haven't reappeared so I expect lost for ever. Unfortunately most were newspaper reports which now cannot be downloaded
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The product manager of the FindMyPast new site, Paul Dunlop, has reappeared on their Forum, selectively answering some of the points raised. Many of the comments on the 'bring back the features of the old site' thread are not specific or are along the lines of 'this site is useless' (a sentiment of which I heartily agree but cannot really be answered unless he wants to give the correct answer of yes). I have asked a specific question with an example in the hope that he may be able to justify the agonisingly long process of getting certain data into a search form.
I'll sit back and wait with bated breath, but don't hold out much hope, maybe I'll be surprised.
Simon
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Crikey, I had a response on the forum from Paul Dunlop in 7 minutes :o saying he agreed with me and would pass my suggestion to the search team.
So, catch him when he appears to be responding and be specific with an example. They may take notice.
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I've just found my saved searches under my account and ......
Nothing totally empty!!!
::) ::)
Click on the My Records tab between Search Records and News. ::) They aren`t making it easy ::)
Thanks I'd already done that and it gave me (or so it seems) every record i'd looked at.
I don't want to have to plough through them all to find the ones that were relevant.
Wondering if they intend putting them under saved searches but haven't quite managed it yet.
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I wonder why they can't make the old FindMyPast available and put everyone back on that while they sort out their so-called 'improvements'?
I think they are in denial about how big a mess it is now, it seems to be far beyond minor tweaks that need doing.
I'm not convinced that they have anyone there who actually understands the records they have and how the old site worked . . .
Lisa
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i,v been on the new FindMyPast now for about a month now ..got to say a hate it, just been on there now, on census ...only 1881 showed, news papers image would not show, i just think why am i wasting my time..and i wasted my money aarrrrr!!
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I wonder why they can't make the old FindMyPast available and put everyone back on that while they sort out their so-called 'improvements'?
The 'Product manager' at FindMyPast states categorically here http://www.rootschat.com/links/0yrx/ that old site will NOT be reinstated.
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that,s intresting reading..Jen B..he need to take his head out of the sand..this new format could, be a lost to them, one person tell one, that one person tell three, them three people tell three.. someone head should roll
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I have been following the feedback on NFMP today with interest. I fail to understand why they can't run both sites - the admin replies make no sense - the old site apparently is still active in libraries.
The Company state their new site was tested by 1000's???
Richview
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I have been following the feedback on NFMP today with interest. I fail to understand why they can't run both sites - the admin replies make no sense - the old site apparently is still active in libraries.
The Company state their new site was tested by 1000's???
Richview
have you tried to use it..Rich..i,v used FindMyPast for 3 years, no problem loved it ..the new format a nightmare..it,s so time consuming
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the old site apparently is still active in libraries.
Still active here as well as I can access both - new through my iPad and old through my bookmarks on the laptop. So in theory they should be able to change people back.
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I've only been moved over in the last few days but hate it, can't find anything I know exists which gives no confidence in finding anything 'new'. And I can't get to the old site on my desktop or laptop, from bookmarks or entering the site name :'(
Had preferred FindMyPast for searches and (Welsh) parish records, with my tree on Ancestry but I for one will not be renewing my FindMyPast subscription unless radical improvements are made.
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Oh your so lucky.LOL
I am surprised at the lack of interest from the company - so much negative publicity and no answers.
R
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Hi Dizzybella
I had no idea I was going on the new site logged in and bang. Been a member for years found it worked well - certainly wont renew unless it improves dramatically.
I have a number of friends who renewed around January same as me and they all say it was a waste of money.
I have tried a few census searches failed on NFMP found them immediately on Ancestry.
R
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Oh your so lucky.LOL
I am surprised at the lack of interest from the company - so much negative publicity and no answers.
R
i agree Rich..when i have complained to them many times...uumm there nothing wrong...your stupid..urrmm NO your stupid, because your are the ones, who going to lose custom, NOT ME from bad back feedback, from this stupid person.. ME
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i agree Rich..when i have complained to them many times...uumm there nothing wrong...your stupid..urrmm NO your stupid, because your are the ones, who going to lose custom, NOT ME from bad back feedback, from this stupid person.. ME
Complaining to them produces just one thing waffle. They cannot give a straight answer - after a few weeks of dreadful publicity one would expect some straight answers and an apology. I read on the feedback that FindMyPast was losing money well after this fiasco they will lose a lot more. How many people would have renewed had they known the site would be next to useless?
Time they issued a public statement held their hands up and told us the truth - when you ask for a timeframe they become very evasive. Not sure about you but census records I printed off last year search now seem to have vanished.
R
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Someone may have mentioned this but some search results on Family Search had a direct link to the image on FindMyPast (if you had a subscription) which maybe unsurprisingly no longer works.
Kay
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Someone may have mentioned this but some search results on Family Search had a direct link to the image on FindMyPast (if you had a subscription) which maybe unsurprisingly no longer works.
Kay
My friend asked about that when she phoned customer help but was told it works!!! We can't find a way click on the Family Search link and it takes us to login on FindMyPast and you have to try to search out the record. The whole site is not working properly & they know it.
R
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Hi
Given that the people who could possibly give a detailed and precise answer to reasonable questions are likely to be the same people trying to sort out the problems what would you rather they do, answer the questions or fix the problems? As for the comments stating the FindMyPast is rubbish etc how are they supposed to respond?
Given that we are all into research and understand the importance of primary sources I do think that there is an awful lot of garbage being spouted with peoples 'opinions' are becoming fact. Unless it is comment from FindMyPast I would be hesitant to believe it.
With regards to a direct link from Familysearch to FindMyPast images, this may be something that Familysearch has to fix. It sounds like the link has changed.
FindMyPast would certainly have avoided some of the angst if they had explained in basic layman terms why they needed to make such a major change.
Andy
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Yes you are probably right but it does appear that the site is affecting subscribers in different ways - I can access parts which friends cant & vice versa.
FindMyPast are proving impossible to get either help or straight answers from there were known issues prior to the new launch an example IE11 - I had discussions with them last year & they were looking for a quick fix now they suggest using Google Chrome.
They had a very good site user friendly like anything in life it wasn't perfect but at the end of the day if you pay for a service you do expect help or answers when it fails.
What they should have done was kept the old site operational until they had ironed out what they now agree were known issues - it would have saved all the bad publicity and kept subscribers happy.
R
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FindMyPast have made a statement of why they need to make a change. The underlying (software) model which was used to produce the old site has reached its capacity for accessing any new datasets that need to be added. Without going into further technical details which the majority of users may have difficulty following, I’m not sure what else can be said.
What they haven’t done is make any statement regarding the rationale on the new way of accessing and presenting their records other than making woolly statements about ‘easier to use’, ‘more flexible’ ‘search over a broader range of records in one go’ ‘we’ve listened to our users’ and so on. By not doing this they have invited the storm of ‘this site is rubbish’ comments. Having said that, even if they had explained in more detail, the new model is SO POOR, they would still have been bombarded by the same comments.
When their new development team sat down with the task of designing the new site, the first requirement should have been that all the search and presentation facilities of the old site should be available on the new site and not ‘now, how are we going to search all these the records, any ideas?’
The corporate flannel which has been wheeled out several times by their CEO, is just that, Flannel.
The change was necessary, the new implementation and subsequent launch, hopeless.
Simon
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I bet the owners of Ancestry are laughing. They launched their new site just at the right time, a few weeks before FindMyPast. When that was introduced, it brought complaints on here and other forums with people saying how dreadful it was and how they were going to change to FindMyPast - now people are switching to Ancestry in droves.
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I bet they are to. FindMyPast has been damaged it according to numerous reports has shown a loss in overall profit previously one wonder can it ride out the storm.
I like many renewed having no idea that I would end up with a site that is now very poor - it's a shame I used it more for helping others than for my own research probably many on here did the same.
R
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Here is a thought...... the programmer on FindMyPast has shares in Ancestry
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Or are they about to be taken over!!
No business is going to risk launching an unworkable site surely?
R
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We're told that FindMyPast regularly trawl the net looking for people naughty enough to do look ups.
I do hope they're trawling now and picking up on all these comments.
It's diabolical and I'm another one that unless some changes for the better are made will not be using it again.
Pat.
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Oh it's in the small print
"What you can use the service for: You can use the website for your own personal use, e.g., to research your own family history. We are also happy for you to help out other people with their family history by telling them about records available on the website and how and where they can be found. "
Well that's ok now because I can't find anything but If I could and charged that would be fine!!! Perhaps I'll be lucky they will cancel my subscription and refund my money.LOL
"Professional and corporate use: If you're a self-employed professional genealogist, you can use the site to carry out research for others, using either PayAsYouGo credits or a subscription."
R
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. "Professional and corporate use: If you're a self-employed professional genealogist, you can use the site to carry out research for others, using either PayAsYouGo credits or a subscription."
That's ridiculous, so they don't want people helping a few people, but are quite prepared to allow a professional genealogist to help hundreds.
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Having been with Ancestry for 3 years I thought I would have a go at Find my Past but beginning to wish I hadn't bothered as on Ancestry when you put a name in you can sometimes find other members who may have that particular name in their tree I cant seem to find this on Find my Past am I doing something wrong
Thank you Sue
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Just had a look at previous messages it looks like its not just me that is having trouble with Find my Past wish I had read them before I joined FindMyPast
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Did the same as you and wish I hadn't.Now gone back to Ancestry and find that I hardly use FindMyPast....money wasted.
I suppose having the newspapers on line is useful but often there are far too many to look at. For example I have a surname LIGHT.Get everything with light in ....
Then reading all the problems people are having on the supposed improved site makes me rather annoyed.I haven't had that dreaded email from them yet.
Ringrose
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http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/distance-selling-regulations#link-2
Regards
Malky
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I suppose having the newspapers on line is useful but often there are far too many to look at. For example I have a surname LIGHT.Get everything with light in ....
For the newspapers, you can use the much better search interface at the British Newspaper Archive for free, and then apply the search results to FindMyPast to access the images.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/advanced
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Am feeling very disappointed in FindMyPast thought it would be nice to have a change looks like I have wasted my money wish I had just bought a month
Topics merged.
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The second issue is breach of the licence which you have entered into with the provider. This is not a question of intellectual property but rather of the law of contract. It is governed by the detailed terms and conditions of the contract which you have entered into. Even if the publication or sharing is not a breach of copyright it may well be a breach of the relevant licence terms.
What about the breach of contract we entered into with FindMyPast to provide a good site. They've breached their contract, but have changed their terms and conditions to say they can change the site whenever they want, so basically - tough luck. So perhaps we should just say we've changed the terms and conditions we had with them.
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Well, the other thread has been locked so I'm going to vent my spleen here. ;D
All I wanted to search was births in a 20 year date range in London with a particular maiden name. It threw up 71676 results. There's no way that I can easily find to put in a mother's maiden name.
I resorted back to Free BMD.
I was also excited to see they had loads of new records which, as I am a full member I looked forward to searching. Wrong! They want an extra £60 to see them.
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They're on -part 3 of compaints at the moment !!!!
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It seems that I too have been switched over to the new site. I cant even log in to it, whatever I click on it just says this page cant be displayed. What am I doing wrong, anyone any ideas. Cant even change my password.
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Ha!
Part of me is glad that it isn't just me complaining.
Topics merged.
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I got moved over on Friday.
I'm not normally one to use foul language, but I'm sorely tempted.
Early this year I had upgraded to a World Subscription, and was disappointed to find that accessing my extra money's worth could only be done through the stupid method of:
1. Go to the Help menu and select International records.
2. A page appears for US records.
3. Go to the bottom of this page and click Next
3. A page appears for Irish records..
4. Once you see the part of the world you want, it's no use clicking on the name of the database you want as they are just "advertising".
5. Click on "Search All Irish records" (or equivalent)
6. A page appears with ALL the Irish records listed (several million items found).
7. Use the filters to slowly restrict your selection to the set you actually want to search.
8. Enter the name you want to look up. No use putting this in earlier, as changing the filters clears it out.
9. Once a list of search results appear, use PageDown to trawl through them, as there was only one item per screenful.
10. The Image button replaced the current text screen with the most feature-free picture viewer in the market. No way to open in a separate window or tab; only one FindMyPast window is allowed at any time. Want to see the reference? Use your browser's Back button.
I thought "What a horrible lash-up. Maybe the promised re-write will tidy it up." and persevered.
Little did I know that what was being planned was to take that horrendous model and foist it on the UK site.
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Nearly as bad as the disastrous search results/lack of results is the new layout.
The reason for the new design is simple.
Someone in their management team spouted in a board meeting that "Everybody seems to be into smartphones and tablets. We need to get some of that market." Well, it sounded reasonable, so the go-ahead was given to convert one of their websites to be "smartphone friendly".
With the database back end of FindMyPast undergoing big changes to deal with all those records from FamilySearch and others, why not move that one first?
Hence the very few words per page, the widely separated boxes and the huge empty columns down each side of our screens.
Instead of being able to see a list of possible records as the result of a search,
we are
given a
very long
screen
which is
readable
on a
smartphone
in portrait
mode but
looks awful
on anything
else.
The purpose of a web browser on a smartphone is to make the web usable for a smartphone user. It is NOT the job of a web designer to make everything fit in a screen an inch and a half wide.
Note that the front end and the database back end are NOT tied together in the way that FindMyPast suggest. The search engine on the "old" site was upgraded to allow the enhanced wildcard searches only three weeks ago. Who would bother doing that specifically for a framework which was to be killed off so soon?
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When searching newspapers too many results appear. I apply filters and it deletes the name I was searching for. Absolutely useless!
Haven't had any response to my complaints.
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What's going on at Find My Past? I just got used to the new layout and it's all changed. I cannot follow it at all any more.
Judy
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Nearly as bad as the disastrous search results/lack of results is the new layout.
The reason for the new design is simple.
Someone in their management team spouted in a board meeting that "Everybody seems to be into smartphones and tablets. We need to get some of that market." Well, it sounded reasonable, so the go-ahead was given to convert one of their websites to be "smartphone friendly".
With the database back end of FindMyPast undergoing big changes to deal with all those records from FamilySearch and others, why not move that one first?
Hence the very few words per page, the widely separated boxes and the huge empty columns down each side of our screens.
Instead of being able to see a list of possible records as the result of a search,
we are
given a
very long
screen
which is
readable
on a
smartphone
in portrait
mode but
looks awful
on anything
else.
The purpose of a web browser on a smartphone is to make the web usable for a smartphone user. It is NOT the job of a web designer to make everything fit in a screen an inch and a half wide.
Note that the front end and the database back end are NOT tied together in the way that FindMyPast suggest. The search engine on the "old" site was upgraded to allow the enhanced wildcard searches only three weeks ago. Who would bother doing that specifically for a framework which was to be killed off so soon?
;D I am currently posting this via a "Smartphone" take my word for it is even harder to negotiate than my PC! Overall given up at present with their blessed filters, life is too short!
Keyboard86
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When searching newspapers too many results appear. I apply filters and it deletes the name I was searching for. Absolutely useless!
Exactly the behaviour I noted for records outside the UK. I ought to have checked out what users of findmypast.com.au etc were saying before I raised my subscription level. Unfortunately I assumed that what I was seeing was a minimalist window onto a fully-featured site like the old FindMyPast, and that I would get full benefit in due course.
Haven't had any response to my complaints.
Me neither. But then I asked for timescales to get this stuff sorted, and there won't be any money from manglement to pay for fixing the fiasco, so no ETA for a working site.
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Well I don't know what's happened to FindMyPast now. The home page shows Search All records, but the boxes below the title have disappeared. So I went to the top Search Records and the long list has shrunk to 4, Search All Records, Newspapers and Periodicials, List all UK records, List all word records. I thought I'd choose Search All Records, 1 click, the Births and Baptisms 2 clicks, (still nowhere to put in a name etc) so I clicked on Births and Baptisms, 3 clicks, nothing happens, so I clicked on Births 1761-2006 - 4 clicks, now it shows Births and Baptisms are available, and also England and Wales births 1837-2006. I chose births and baptisms, 5 clicks, search finds exactly the same page, but now it states Births 1761-2006, 6 clicks and guess what I'm back where I started from, so I thought I'd click on England and Wales births again and I got a Page not found Yahoo Error Handler. So that's 7 clicks only to be told the page isn't available.
So I tried FreeBMD, I put in the name of the person and year of birth, no county or reg district, clicked Find and within seconds had 1 result - the correct result. So I put the same name in again and March 1840 to December 1850, within seconds I had 9 results. If a free site works, why doesn't one that we've paid nearly £100 to?
I give up.
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I heard that the reason they've changed the UK, FindMyPast site is to bring it in line with the others around the world. Apparently Australia has had this "new" site for some long time. It would have made more sense if they'd changed the others to match the UK site which at least used to work.
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I live in Australia & it's news to me that we have had it for a long while, the last time I used FindMyPast it was still the old version.
The new version is totally useless. Bring back the old site.
Trish
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Trish - oh sorry, so you're in the same boat as the rest of us.
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Just been having another look why oh why didnt I just stick to Ancestry
Sue
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Just posted this on the FindMyPast forum:
There are four main teams at FindMyPast.
The team adding new data to the system, digitising and transcribing, are doing a decent job.
The database side are doing a good job too, providing an infrastructure for all those records.
The website team, though, ought to be hung, drawn and quartered for the abomination that they have forced upon us.
The management team are either in the dark, with the true situation being kept from them by "yes men", in which case they should be fired for not finding things out for themselves, or they know the disaster they are in and SHOULD BE TRYING TO EXTRACT THE COMPANY FROM IT.
The database back end is perfectly usable from the old, well tested and respected front end, NO MATTER WHAT FindMyPast CLAIM. Any database design which restricted the website to a single front end should have resulted in contracts being terminated with extreme prejudice.
Trying to patch up the current interface is throwing good money after bad.
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I agree with all that is being said, a total shambles. This is the last time I have subs with them unless we get our old or at least a functional site again, just renewed my subs in January, oh my if only I had know what was to come.
Trish
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I think I'm going nuts. Didn't they used to have a link to their forum feedback under the "Help & advice" tab at the top of the page? It's missing now. Can someone confirm it was there and I'm not losing my mind... ???
Edit. Never mind. Very weird. I had to move around a few pages and then went back to the home page and it magically reappeared. Just another mystery.
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Just posted this on the FindMyPast forum:
There are four main teams at FindMyPast.
The team adding new data to the system, digitising and transcribing, are doing a decent job.
The database side are doing a good job too, providing an infrastructure for all those records.
The website team, though, ought to be hung, drawn and quartered for the abomination that they have forced upon us.
The management team are either in the dark, with the true situation being kept from them by "yes men", in which case they should be fired for not finding things out for themselves, or they know the disaster they are in and SHOULD BE TRYING TO EXTRACT THE COMPANY FROM IT.
As FindMyPast are owned by D C Thompson now, I wonder if their top people are aware of the 'extreme mess' which FindMyPast have made of a perfectly good website.
Lisa
PS I shan't be buying the Beano any more either ;) ;D
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I got a prompt reply to my 'where's the census missing pieces info' and recieved a prompt reply, so until the info is reinstated, you can find the details here
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=683224.0
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I have, just contacted, FindMyPast, to give them advance warning that i will not be renewing my subscription with then this year!!!
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I have, just contacted, FindMyPast, to give them advance warning that i will not be renewing my subscription with then this year!!!
Just done the same. I am absolutely amazed at the way they have designed and implemented the changes.
With so much functionality not working and with the advice to use Google Chrome when I already have two browsers is an absolute disgrace.
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I wonder what this means on their feedback forum:
AdminPaul Dunlop (Product Manager, findmypast) commented · April 6, 2014 10:47 PM · Delete…
Please be advised, search functionality has been restored. It may take up to 10 minutes to be fully available, depending on your location.
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Hi, I to have been looking at the new FindMyPast site and am shocked to see how poor it is.
There are parts which I have found not to work on my iPad. Such as trying to display an original census image and all you get is a black screen with a spinning circle (it worked fine on the old system)
Perhaps FindMyPast should take a step back and simply offer users a choice of using either the old format or the new - that way it would take the pressure off them to get the new site sorted. After all Microsoft did something similar with Windows 8 which you can configure to look like Windows 7!
I have not read all the posts in the three parts of "the new findmypast" but has anyone from Findmypast posted an explanation as to what is going on and how they plan to solve it.
Currently Ancestry must be rubbing their hand with glee as they attract FindMyPast customers.
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Perhaps FindMyPast should take a step back and simply offer users a choice of using either the old format or the new - that way it would take the pressure off them to get the new site sorted.
'Product manager' Paul Dunlop has stated several times that access to the 'old site' will not be offered.
http://feedback.findmypast.co.uk/forums/222583-ideas-and-improvements/suggestions/5649598-improve-features-to-bring-in-line-with-the-old-sit
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I wonder what this means on their feedback forum:
AdminPaul Dunlop (Product Manager, findmypast) commented · April 6, 2014 10:47 PM · Delete…
Please be advised, search functionality has been restored. It may take up to 10 minutes to be fully available, depending on your location.
Searching on FindMyPast last night went missing. Any search just put up an error. This message on the forum appeared when they had fixed the problem and that their normal service would resume in 10 minutes. I think that is at least 3 times in the last week that the site has effectively been completely unusable (as opposed to almost completely unusable for the rest of the time :) )
Simon
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What a shocking number of omissions Dawn, thank you for giving us the list.
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Considering that they are between 100 and 170 years old, I am surprised so many have survived
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Oh definitely, I'm always amazed at the wealth of records which have been saved.....but since this is a list of actual omissions by the new FindMyPast, it's quite shocking.
Or have I missed the point of Dawn's info and these records never were available?
PS.
Oops, trust me!! Just realised that it is a list of those which didn't survive and not an error on FindMyPast's part.
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Oh definitely, I'm always amazed at the wealth of records which have been saved.....but since this is a list of actual omissions by the new FindMyPast, it's quite shocking.
Or have I missed the point of Dawn's info and these records never were available?
I'm afraid you have misunderstood what Dawn said.
The list she's provided is of census pieces which are always known to have been missing.
The lists were available on the old FindMyPast site (in fact you can still see them there if you look at the old site without logging in).
The point is that these 'gaps' in the record should have been noted on the new forms and weren't.
Added I posted this before seeing HL's Edit.
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For the address listings, I knew I had a ref somewhere:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100115151708/http:/yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Your_Archives:Historical_Streets_Project
Not sure if it is as extensive as the old FindMyPast lists but better than anything.*
*Added - only 1841-1871 - I'm sure that somewhere there are listings for the later censuses :-\
Gadget
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The lists were available on the old FindMyPast site (in fact you can still see them there if you look at the old site without logging in).
I just logged out and checked on the 'old site'. All the lists of 'known issues' (i.e. missing pieces) are still available there.
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I use google chrome, and when I open a new tab (and get the page with 8 icons representing the sites I most visit), one of them is for FindMyPast, but beneath the picture are the words, 'Search Ancestry and Genea...'
so I think even google chrome is giving a hint as to where to go to find anything now ;).
Anyway I opened FindMyPast and decided to have a look without signing in, just in case it worked better that way, going to a census search page and trying the address search, it seems that even if you have gone through the filters to get a county and entered a registration district (which it appeared to recognise), you get a filter box of street names - which don't have any connection to the district or county, but I see that there are several called, 'a caravan'. So maybe the caravans will be found - sorry I can't remember how far back this was mentioned, but I remember reading it. :)
Conclusion - still not working.
Lisa
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I'm tearing my hair out. I just cannot work out how to search the census by address. I found their instructions in the FAQ but it doesn't work. I just get 0 results.
I've sent them a message but don't expect a reply any time soon. Has anyone here managed to get it to work?
I'm trying to find out who was living at 4 Brick Lane, London in 1901 and 1911.
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I have found 4 Brick Lane Whitechapel? I'm assuming tenement flats there are many families listed under the one address
R
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I found Brick Lane, Bethnal Green on Ancestry but there didn't seem to be any small numbers, all numbers in the high hundreds and two hundreds.
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That's odd. Brick Lane is not a particularly long street. Have Anc indexed perhaps by schedule number rather than address?
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According to the old FindMyPast (which I'm hanging on to for as long as possible) there are 3 Bricklanes:
One in Bethnal Green, one Spitalfields (Whitechapel) and one just Whitechapel. The last is the only one with a number 4 showing.
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The wonderful 'old search' on FindMyPast gives Brick Lane in Whitechapel Registration District in 1901 as numbers
2 - 42 and 7 - 150.
Brick Lane Bethnal Green RD is numbered 199 to 324.
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I don't know what they've done. I looked through Whitechapel and Bethnal Green Districts for 1901 and although there were many address in Brick Lane, and I've now found them down to about 42, I couldn't find number 4. It's not a satisfactory way to search for addresses though. That is something the old FindMyPast site was really good for, but I guess like everything else that was good on the site, it's gone for good.
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I'm tearing my hair out. I just cannot work out how to search the census by address. I found their instructions in the FAQ but it doesn't work. I just get 0 results.
The problem is that all you can do is enter the street name and Registration District, and then you are presented with a list of all the people living there. The old type of address search is no longer available.
Please add your comments about this deficiency here ::)
http://feedback.findmypast.co.uk/forums/222583-ideas-and-improvements/suggestions/5723365-allow-dedicated-address-searches-and-results-for-c
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I have found 4 Brick Lane Whitechapel? I'm assuming tenement flats there are many families listed under the one address
R
a) how did you find it - are you still on the old site?
b) please could you give Tsu the full reference so that she can use that to find the place?
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For the address listings, I knew I had a ref somewhere:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100115151708/http:/yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Your_Archives:Historical_Streets_Project
Not sure if it is as extensive as the old FindMyPast lists but better than anything.*
*Added - only 1841-1871 - I'm sure that somewhere there are listings for the later censuses :-\
Gadget
Street Indexes
http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Category:1841_census_registration_districts
http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Category:1851_census_registration_districts
http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Category:1861_census_registration_districts
http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Category:1871_census_registration_districts
http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Category:1881_census_registration_districts
http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Category:1891_census_registration_districts
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=634400.msg4819536#msg4819536
Stan
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I have found 4 Brick Lane Whitechapel? I'm assuming tenement flats there are many families listed under the one address
R
a) how did you find it - are you still on the old site?
b) please could you give Tsu the full reference so that she can use that to find the place?
I found it now I can't access the site again - I took a note of one tenant earlier - hope it helps.
Israel Bimenfield b 1868
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I've just discovered another anomaly on the census search pages ::)
1841 - 1891 the 'Who' section is in the order 'First Name' then 'Last Name'.
On the 1901 and 1911 search pages they are in the order 'Last Name' then 'First Name' ::)
No wonder I was getting no results for person I was searching for in 1901 ::)
Yet another email fired off in their direction.
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I'm in mourning and this time it's not for a relative.
I always preferred FindMyPast to Ancestry for it's lack of clutter and unnecessary wordage on screen. Now FindMyPast has 'improved' I ended up with 26,000 results for one marriage. My own life is just too short for that kind of rubbish.
Woe, woe and thrice woe......
I have asked them if I can suspend my subscription until they sort this nonsense out.... hmmmm... do you think I'll get a response?
Yours despondently,
FionaOhthepriceofprogress
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Just used FindMyPast for the first time today since it changed, very strange not half as informative as it used to be but I'll keep trying until my present subscription ends and then see how I feel.
I've just realised it reminds me of Family Search and looks a bit like it too, or is it just me !!!!
Patty
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thanks for your reply JenB - I have just been trying out FindMyPast on my laptop and it is not as bad as on a tablet or iPhone (I had been using it on an iPad). The search results are similar to the old FindMyPast in which they are shown as single lines.
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I have found 4 Brick Lane Whitechapel? I'm assuming tenement flats there are many families listed under the one address
R
a) how did you find it - are you still on the old site?
b) please could you give Tsu the full reference so that she can use that to find the place?
I found it now I can't access the site again - I took a note of one tenant earlier - hope it helps.
Israel Bimenfield b 1868
I also found this.......think we were all looking at the same time :) Here's how I got there....
Home page, scroll down to bottom left and click on census records,where(Britain), house number (4), street (Brick Lane), record collection (census), record set (1901 census), search.
This brings up 43 results for this address, which must be as Richview said, tenement flats.
The district is Whitechapel, RG13, Piece 302, Folio 74, Page1.
Also when you enter the record collection and record set, use the browse collection button but make sure you change it to Britain (under where) or it will show up loads of filter choices.
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Home page, scroll down to bottom left and click on census records,where(Britain), house number (4), street (Brick Lane), record collection (census), record set (1901 census), search.
Thanks for that :D
But how daft that one can enter the house number in the 'general' census page, and not on the page for a specific year, which was where I was looking ::)
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Yup, it's all daft. It's a question of working out how to get there and never has it been more long winded and illogical.
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I sent an email for help searching the census sheets, (not really expecting a reply) but actually got one in 24 hours. IT came all the way from FindMyPast.au (Australia) and told me in great detail how to search for a marriage.
not very helpful!
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Is it me or are the postings from Paul Dunlop more or less the same, with slight mods. I clicked on 'show previous admin responses' and got 3 variations saying much the same thing as the last ::)
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I have tried and tried when I find a person I'm looking for is there not a place where it tells you that that particular person is in another tree and you can get in touch with the person who has put that tree on like on Ancestry .That's why I thought I would give FindMyPast a try that somebody different would be on there and I may have found a new relative to swap information with ( hope you can understand all of that )
Sue
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I don't think there is, or ever has been, this facility on Find My Past. If there is I've never seen it. ;D
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Is it me or are the postings from Paul Dunlop more or less the same, with slight mods. I clicked on 'show previous admin responses' and got 3 variations saying much the same thing as the last ::)
Yes he just tweaks the previous report - Feedback is rapidly becoming a waste of time - they really need to issue a full statement.
R
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Thanks to everyone for their endeavours on my behalf. I will have another go tomorrow.
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Another case of something unbroken being "fixed" and then dying a death. They should have left it be as I used it all the time before the new format but now hardly use it.
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Here's a strange thing.
On April 1st (significant date!) the bookmark on my laptop for FindMyPast went straight to new site. Never got email to say I'd been changed over, though.
On the same day I tried OH's desk top PC and found that was also new version. He hasn't a bookmark or FindMyPast account so I was just doing free searches.
Today I used his PC again and still without logging in, it was showing the old site and searching just as it used to. Didn't try logging in, in case I lost old FindMyPast for ever. I could search addresses on census and on places of birth, then with a bit more information find the same person on new version on laptop and ..
One plus point for new site! I find census images download and save quicker. But maybe that's because I've been forced to use Firefox as I was finding IE9 was completely non-functional on new site, so possibly not fair comparison.
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As I reported earlier on this thread, I contacted FindMyPast (like so many others) and received a reply 2 days later. I duly replied to that email and yesterday I received another reply from them, which culminated in them 'extending my membership by two months free of charge' as a goodwill gesture.
I can only hope it works properly by then. Fingers (and everything else) crossed!!!
Annette
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As I reported earlier on this thread, I contacted FindMyPast (like so many others) and received a reply 2 days later. I duly replied to that email and yesterday I received another reply from them, which culminated in them 'extending my membership by two months free of charge' as a goodwill gesture.
I can only hope it works properly by then. Fingers (and everything else) crossed!!!
Annette
I have sent 5 emails via contact us, each one detailing something that wasn't working, I haven't had any replies, nor had my account been extended (the last time I checked),
Lisa
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I have so many things now in 'my records' it is beyond a joke.It would take me a year to sort through it to find what I need. They only used to store the items you had paid to see, not every single search that you undertake. My biggest pet hate though, is when I am searching through something like a census list and look at an image and then want to return to the page I was on, it takes me back to the beginning again, to page one. I could scream with frustration,everything is taking so much longer than it used to.
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I have so many things now in 'my records' it is beyond a joke.It would take me a year to sort through it to find what I need. They only used to store the items you had paid to see, not every single search that you undertake. My biggest pet hate though, is when I am searching through something like a census list and look at an image and then want to return to the page I was on, it takes me back to the beginning again, to page one. I could scream with frustration,everything is taking so much longer than it used to.
I thought I would check my records but alas
Oops! This link appears to be broken.
Did you mean: findmypast.co.uk
This time it never mentioned a problem with my default mail client!! Site is not improving it now seems very unstable. I just read on feedback people are contacting the National Archives who supply so many records to FindMyPast -perhaps we all should??? Complaining direct to FindMyPast does not work so time to look for an alternative
Richview
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Why are they making census search so difficult. From the main screen you go to a general census search, where you can search on all censuses at once or filter to one or more censuses. But you can also go via record sets from home page to individual census search forms which we are told are customised for each census. So why, when I search on the specific census search page for 1851, do I get a box allowing me to enter census year +/- 2 years, or any other obscured +/- number of years. And when I do the search, the list includes parish and registration district but not the county. I have to look at individual transcripts to find county. I have a fair grasp of English geography, but Parish: Littleham, Reg District: St Thomas could be anywhere. If they'd only put county in search results list, I could see it was Devon and not worth viewing, because I'm looking for London and Essex.
Penny's just dropped! FindMyPast get more money from PAYG customers this way, because they are forced to open and pay for more records before they find they are irrelevant.
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Wish I could get my money back I would go straight back to Ancestry
Sue
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Wish I could get my money back I would go straight back to Ancestry
Sue
There are a lot of us I'm sure wouldn't have renewed had we know what they were going to do.
Now they are to busy to take phone calls you must email!!!!
R
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I received a reply to my complaint asking me to specify my issues so that they can assist me.
Now where to start >:( >:(
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That's sounding more positive.
I have sent quite a number of complaints and I have always tried to make them as specific as possible and kept to one issue per complaint. At first it seemed that were in denial that there was a problem and were just picking key words e.g "census" or "newspaper" from the complaint text and firing back a reply with links to Help / FAQs for those topics which ranged from a time consuming, cumbersome way to do something which had been easy before to something that didn't actually work.
Then after a bit of a break in replies I got a long email which referenced about three separate ones of mine. There were no real solutions but it did admit they knew there were some difficulties and they were working on them.
I expect after the first onslaught of complaints which they just attacked like a bushfire out of control, they can now actually analyse where the major problems are and start to put them right.
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I complained about the so-called 'reference search' on the 1841 census search page.
I asked why there is a space for a 'schedule number' which doesn't exist in the 1841, but no space for Book Number which is an integral part of the reference.
Their reply was to send me a link to the search page for the 1841 census ::)
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If I got something like that (which I did early on), I was right back to them re-explaining the problem in words of half a syllable
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I just realised that when I've sent a msg via 'contact us', when I clicked send (and thought it went) it takes me to the FAQ page, and I hadn't realised that my msg needed another click to 'really' send it, as it is hidden out of sight and needs more scrolling to find it.
I actually think that tactics like this AND the feedback forum AND voting are just distractions designed to make it look like they are bothered about users' opinions, when they are not.
I tried searching various census years being on the exact year I wanted and there are so many things that don't work, it is beyond belief.
Why for example when I am on a GB census, is the only 'Lydney' birthplace in Australia?? - they must think I meant Sydney.
I think it would take a life time to outline all the rubbish. >:(
And the household transcription in alphabetical order with the person used for the search taken out - give me strength!!!!
Anyway I sent off another 2 complaints - obviously the 5 I thought I already sent didn't actually get sent.
Lisa
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Who remembers the 1901 census fiasco? that went belly-up in seconds and was off line for 8 months.
I know we're all seriously frustrated, I'm sure the staff at FindMyPast are dreading their working environment at the moment, but from the feedback I've had from FindMyPast, they know they've got problems and are doing what they can to put them right. And yes, my emails to them have been replied to and my suggestions have been added to their list of things to fix. They know that at the end of the day we would like things back the way they were.
Might I suggest we all take a deep breath and let FindMyPast get on with fixing things. The whole site is not out of action but the search functions don't work quite as we are used to and how we want them to. By the same token, not all the data has gone away, it is still there.
They are no doubt aware they will lose customers because of this. I too want value for money from my subscription. We can take steps to switch off the auto-renew facility, we can hold off on making those renewals, but FindMyPast and the whole of the organisation have too much at stake to keep us off-line and away from our research for too long. I'm sure their partnerships with the National Archives, British Library, the local records offices et al are under scruntiny as well.
Please remember that our hobby is just that, not life and death, and that maybe we should take time away and do something else instead or try out a resource we've not used recently or before.
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I would recommend using the contact us page on the National Archives site - I know several subscribers have including myself. Earlier I did have a very informative reply from them in fact it helped more than the waffle I had from FindMyPast.
R
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Here is a link to the Q & A set up by 'Who Do You Think You Are?'
www.rootschat.com/links/0ytx/
Responses from FindMyPast are as you might have expected.
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Two things clear there:
No refunds
No return to the old site
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Hi All,
Is anyone else having trouble logging in to FindMayPast?
I've had no trouble until today but when I try to, I get a 'Status Error 500' page come up. The page is covered in script and says something about unable to fulfil my request due to internal server problem, or something similar.
I can log in to FindMyPast.ie and FindMyPast.com but not FindMyPast.uk, which is who my account us with.
I can also log in if I use Internet Explorer but I use Firefox these days for pretty much everything and until now have had no problem.
Has anyone else had this problem or does anyone know what it means?
I have sent them a message via their contact form but don't hold out too much hope of them answering. I have been switched over to the new format for a few days now.
Any ideas?
Regards Eliza.
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Hi Eliza,
Like you have had no problems signing into FindMyPast using FF, but until today - I get an error message. I can sign in with IE though.
Cheers
KHP
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Oh OK,
Thanks very much KHP, I'm glad it's not just me (that sounds selfish, but you know what I mean).
Another FindMyPast glitch, hopefully they'll sort it out soon.
I was actually surprised I could sign in to FindMyPast.com and FindMyPast.ie as I had always thought they were quite separate before, despite being the same company. Perhaps I just had never tried to, can't quite remember.
Thanks again, that's reassuring.
Regards Eliza.
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Seems to be working again on FF :D
Cheers
KHP
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G grandpa's birth registration - it was there yesterday !!
This record is coming soon. Thanks for your patience.
We apologise, this record is currently not available, but we are working hard to include it as soon as possible.
I can login search then up comes the above & I'm logged out - also no trace of the feedback site today.
R
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Hi KHP,
I'm back up and running again too with FF.
At least I'll know not to panic next time (there's sure to be a next time).
Regards Eliza.
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Who remembers the 1901 census fiasco? that went belly-up in seconds and was off line for 8 months.
I had quite forgotten about that! Made me take two years off family history and go back to college!
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The census search forms have separate boxes for 'Birth Town' and 'Birth Place'.
I've contacted FindMyPast to ask what is the difference between the two terms, and how does one decide which box of the two to use.
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Here is a link to the Q & A set up by 'Who Do You Think You Are?'
www.rootschat.com/links/0ytx/
Responses from FindMyPast are as you might have expected.
Thanks for the link.
I think WDYTYA did an excellent job with the questions and are to be thanked for that.
As for the replies, what a lot of nonsense. If FindMyPast disagree with it being 'not fit for purpose' they obviously haven't tried to do any research.
I was unaware of the 'apology' on facebook.
On another note, still no reply to the 2 msgs via contact us (that I definitely clicked enough times to send).
Lisa
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The census search forms have separate boxes for 'Birth Town' and 'Birth Place'.
Please can you tell me where on the census forms these boxes are, I can't see them, am I going mad... :o
Maddie
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The census search forms have separate boxes for 'Birth Town' and 'Birth Place'.
Please can you tell me where on the census forms these boxes are, I can't see them, am I going mad... :o
Maddie
They are on this one
http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/1851-england-wales-and-scotland-census
I find census search forms change depending which route you got through to find them ::)
I got to this one via this page which I have bookmarked
http://search.new.findmypast.co.uk/historical-records?region=united%20kingdom&page=1
ADDED Thanks for asking them this JenB ;D
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You have to add the filters and it depends on which census you pick. For e.g., they both don't appear in the 1841 census filter options.
I've just tried adding a screenshot (my first attempt) so I hope it works!
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Thank you both for answering, I hadn't found those search forms even after adding filters that I thought I was doing correctly. ??? I'll say no more as much has been said about the New FindMyPast already. :(
Maddie
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Oh well, the extra week was good while it lasted - I'm now taken to the new site when I click on the bookmark. Now to try and get to grips with it.
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You have to add the filters and it depends on which census you pick. For e.g., they both don't appear in the 1841 census filter options.
No birthplace (apart from born within county or out of county') is given on the 1841 census which is why the option doesn't appear.
I get to the various census pages via the 'List of all records' button top right of the page.
My question about this is what is the difference between a 'town' and a 'place'? How have they decided between one and the other for the purposes of searching?
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As from January 11th next year - I will be £2 a week better off.
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Thank you JenB, what a convoluted way of searching for anything when there are different forms to fill in depending on how many links you click. ::)
Hope you get an answer regarding your query on town or place, please do let us know what they say, if anything.
Maddie
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Hi All,
This is 'cute' - has this happened to anyone else?
Today (see a few messages ago) I could not log in to my FindMyPast UK account, so at the same time as posting a query about it on rootschat, I sent a message to FindMyPast via the contact form, not expecting any answer really.
However, I was surprised to get a reply an hour ago which informed me that since I had registered with FindMyPast Ie in 2012 and bought some credits, that I had been shifted to the new platform on the IE site and would need to log in via that henceforward.
True, I had bought some credits with FindMyPast IE for a very small look at something in 2012, but I had actually been registered with FindMyPast UK and been paying subs via that site since 2011. On looking at My Account , I can see they have lost the record of my original registration and the first one they now have recorded is the pay as you go credits I bought for Irish records in 2012.
Before replying, I logged in to FindMyPast IE to see if it was the same and found it even more confusing than FindMyPast UK. I have a 'Britain' subscription but could not work out how to isolate British records and, I could search and view American records (no use to me) even though I don't have a World subscription.
So, I have now replied telling them if they look at my 547 pages of saved searches (!), they will see I have been registered since March 2011 and I don't want to have to log in via the Irish site.
I really cannot make head nor tail of what they are doing.
Eliza.
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The census search forms have separate boxes for 'Birth Town' and 'Birth Place'.
However on the 1911 search page it simply says 'where born' :-\
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You have to add the filters and it depends on which census you pick. For e.g., they both don't appear in the 1841 census filter options.
No birthplace (apart from born within county or out of county') is given on the 1841 census which is why the option doesn't appear.
I get to the various census pages via the 'List of all records' button top right of the page.
My question about this is what is the difference between a 'town' and a 'place'? How have they decided between one and the other for the purposes of searching?
Yep, I know that about 1841 Census. I was just answering Maggie's question and pointing out that you get different fields depending on which census you are looking at which I suppose is a bit obvious. I have no idea about the answer to your question and have actually been wondering the same thing. I'll be interested in the answer FindMyPast gives to you, if any.
I did notice, for e.g., in the 1851 Census, that "Birth Place" seemed to have broader replies such as country or citizenship or even things like "left in a railway carriage", "Foundling", ship names etc whereas "Birth Town" was more to do with the actual town of birth and I therefore found that field much more useful for my purposes since it seemed to have more consistent entries (though still not perfect as people will answer questions how they please ;D ).
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Elizajb
I really cannot make head nor tail of what they are doing.
Eliza.
Wonder if they are finally attempting to bring about one username/password across all sites (UK, Ireland, USA...) and tidying up multiple registrations at same time?
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Maybe this recent messing with user name / passwords is at the bottom of my problem.
This morning I accessed FindMyPast as usual through my bookmark with no problem. I have the box ticked to keep me logged in so didn't have to enter my user name and password to start searching.
A few minutes ago I went back in to FindMyPast, but it didn't take me to the page with my name on so I had to log in. I entered my password but it refused to recognise it. Tried again in case I had mistyped - still couldn't log in.
I have a list of all my passwords in a protected document so I know it was right and I use same one for all forums which I change globally every so often.
Then in desparation I tried the previous password and it worked!
I think there have been other people suddenly finding their trusty old password is being rejected, so maybe FindMyPast is FindingOurPast passwords.
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just been swapped over to new search...absolutely hate it it with a passion !!!!!!
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At the moment I'm not finding it too bad - I've just found a census record on there which isn't on Ancestry.
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Have to agree with Groom, it is possible to find things on there that don't appear on ancestry. I've found a couple of birth registrations that ancestry are missing. It's a bit like ancestry new search, once you fathomed out what they've done, it's possible to find things.
That said, I don't like it much, too many clicks required. ::) So far the only benefits I've found are the ability to enter parent's names in baptisms searches and spouse names for parish register marriages. :-\
I've found too many parish register search result lists with no parish showing, just the county, so you have to view many to find the one you want. I've flagged this up to them a couple of times, with different data sets, but one of their support staff seems to have got a bit confused as to what I was on about and directed me to the Historical Records list. :-X It's not a problem for all the parish register data sets which is what's infuriating about it.
I've replied to the confused support person explaining again what I was on about and also suggested it might be better if they put parent's search boxes on the general search form instead of just on each individual data set search form. ;) Why or why they've amalgamated the BMD indexes with parish registers I don't know. Very stupid idea, I know you can filter down, but that just adds to the complaints about the number of clicks required to do anything now. ::)
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I've found too many parish register search result lists with no parish showing, just the county, so you have to view many to find the one you want. I've flagged this up to them a couple of times, with different data sets, but one of their support staff seems to have got a bit confused as to what I was on about and directed me to the Historical Records list. :-X It's not a problem for all the parish register data sets which is what's infuriating about it.
I've found the same problem looking at Berkshire marriages and Boyd's index, no parish. But worst is the inclusion of date of birth column but no date of marriage on search result list for marriages! I made screen shots of all the problems with suggestions for improvement and sent as PDF attachment to FindMyPast support. So hope it's clear to them.
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I made screen shots of all the problems with suggestions for improvement and sent as PDF attachment to FindMyPast support. So hope it's clear to them.
You might be out of luck there. I noticed this on the 'How can We Improve FindMyPast' page earlier today, in response to someone who had sent an email with attachments
We do not accept any attachments or screen shots via our email system I am afraid for security reasons. This is to help prevent Trojans/ virus etc because if they were to access our system, they could then spread further afield.
http://feedback.findmypast.co.uk/forums/222583-ideas-and-improvements/suggestions/5649598-improve-features-to-bring-in-line-with-the-old-sit comment by Diana S at 5.08 today.
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I have already had an extended exchange with FindMyPast 'help' team re their address search (see earlier post). I've just tried another 1841 search on James George Laming, born 1816, with variations boxes checked. First result 1770 returns all with blanks where names should be!! I removed the George and got 1801 returns, mostly, but not all, blanks!! Same search in Ancestry: 23 returns all with names ( :o ). They were either James or George and some variations on family name. I've had so many problems with the new FindMyPast I doubt I shall be renewing my subscription. Why fix something that ain't broke? Bring back the old FindMyPast
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I made screen shots of all the problems with suggestions for improvement and sent as PDF attachment to FindMyPast support. So hope it's clear to them.
You might be out of luck there. I noticed this on the 'How can We Improve FindMyPast' page earlier today, in response to someone who had sent an email with attachments
We do not accept any attachments or screen shots via our email system I am afraid for security reasons. This is to help prevent Trojans/ virus etc because if they were to access our system, they could then spread further afield.
http://feedback.findmypast.co.uk/forums/222583-ideas-and-improvements/suggestions/5649598-improve-features-to-bring-in-line-with-the-old-sit comment by Diana S at 5.08 today.
That's a nuisance.
They should get themselves some decent virus checking software
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My question about this is what is the difference between a 'town' and a 'place'? How have they decided between one and the other for the purposes of searching?
A few days ago some of the census search forms from 1851 to 1901 had Birth City and not Birth Town, some did not have Birth Place, now they all have Town and Place so they must have been 'improving'.
What is bizarre about these two fields is that on all the actual census forms the only data recorded is 'Where Born'. So how and why has 'Where Born' been divided between the two. Why do some names appear in both? The 1911 census has just the search field 'Where Born'. No logic to this.
I find it unusable and it would be better if it was a free text box with wildcards
Simon
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After a few fruitless attempts at searching the 1871 census for someone by occupation and getting no results I discovered that for some reason occupations aren't recorded in the 1871 transcriptions.
This being the case, why is there an 'occupation' box on the 1871 search form?
Another email sent to FindMyPast.
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The occupation box was there pre-upgrade, but I think it was greyed out on the censuses where the info hadn't been transcribed so couldn't be used.
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I have been moved today. I can not view any records, all I have is a black screen with a whirling circle.
The old FindMyPast was slow enough but now nothing. I accept that living in a rural area does mean slow broadband but I feel that I should get something for my money from a site that I pay to use. Have unticked automatic renewal of subscription.
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After a few fruitless attempts at searching the 1871 census for someone by occupation and getting no results I discovered that for some reason occupations aren't recorded in the 1871 transcriptions.
This being the case, why is there an 'occupation' box on the 1871 search form?
Another email sent to FindMyPast.
Their reply is that the 'occupation field is a default search field for each census year'.
However despite the fact that the occupation box is present on the 1871 search page, and capable of being filled in, they confirm that census is not searchable by occupation.
This is because the 1871 transcription was 'bought in' and no occupations had been transcribed.
I think at the very least there should be some sort of 'warning' about this on the 1871 page or that, as on the 'old' site, that field should be greyed out, as Dawn mentioned.
They state that they will do their own transcription of the 1871 at some time in the future.
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I emailed about the fact that I can only view images via "my records" and I must say I had a prompt reply thanking me and stating they were unaware of the fact that when the images are unavailable for viewing on IE they could be viewed via "my records". The images then (eventually) open in Windows photo gallery.
They will correct this in time.
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I'm still waiting for replies to about six different queries. Wrong image, how to delete all those saved searches they decided I want saved when I didn't, how can I find the ones I did want, and can I have an extension as compensation etc.
I have unticked the boxes also for automatic renewal and use of information.
Searching was quite quick yesterday, (haven't tried today)....perhaps it's because there are fewer users now!!!! They used to tell me regularly that they were too busy to complete my searches!!
rayard.
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When I do a search of Army Service Records the results don't show how many pages an individual record comprises as it used to do. Looking at transcription only shows the first page and, like so many others, clicking on image gives me a blank black page. Following Hampshire Lass's tip I can view the original image by accessing via My Records BUT this only allows the image of the first page (like the transcription) and no active buttons to enable me to read the rest (however many pages there are in the record).
Aaargghh!
Annette
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I asked about deleting saved searches and was told there wasn't a way at the moment, but "they're working on it". I have 830 or so pages of saved searches, but they only start at Dec 2010, so as I have been a subscriber to FindMyPast longer than that, I could have had a lot more.
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I have 830 or so pages of saved searches, but they only start at Dec 2010, so as I have been a subscriber to FindMyPast longer than that, I could have had a lot more.
From memory I think it was only introduced at that time. I think it was introduced along with the change to the fare usage policy whereby it knew if you'd viewed a record previously and didn't count it towards your monthly allowance ... or something like that. :-\
Edit - Just had a look at the Army Service Records which take forever to appear but I can view in IE10 on Win7. The one I looked at I was surprised wasn't showing as a previously viewed image as thought I must have looked at it previously. Checked by folders to find I'd saved a copy in Sept 2010, so ties in with them rolling out the previously viewed images at the end of that year.
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Oh, that might explain why the start date seemed non- random - not anniversary of renewal. I could do with links to some of the records I viewed in the very early days. The old ones were downloaded as djvu files, now they download as jpeg. Just been trying to open some of the old djvu's from 2005 and some will open, some won't.
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When I do a search of Army Service Records the results don't show how many pages an individual record comprises as it used to do. Looking at transcription only shows the first page and, like so many others, clicking on image gives me a blank black page. Following Hampshire Lass's tip I can view the original image by accessing via My Records BUT this only allows the image of the first page (like the transcription) and no active buttons to enable me to read the rest (however many pages there are in the record).
Aaargghh!
Annette
Hi Annete, it's because we're viewing the image in our Windows photo gallery instead of the normal method vie IE. I've just this minute received another email from FindMyPast. This time from the technical team who say they don't understand why this is so but are working on it.
Yesterday I got over the problem by accessing and saving all the pages of an Army record on my Kindle and then emailing them to myself and then saving them on my laptop. Very long winded but the only answer for now. OK if you have a Kindle or some other devise which is compatible with their images. I don't want to download chrome to my laptop.
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rely to email regarding not being able to see images.
I am sorry that you haven't been able to view these records.
We are aware of this intermittent issue that is affecting a small number of customers, we will look at this in due course but it's not likely to be fixed within the next few days.
As you may know, you can view the images without problem using the Chrome browser.
But I can find no reference on their site that they provide a service for Google Chrome users only, and have told them so.
Two years work lost. I have at least learnt one lesson from this, save anything that is certain or even sightly possible to my computer
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My problem is that when I search for any service record the results screen does not show how many pages are in the record and whether I look at transcription or image I only get one page.
How do I get to the others? Email to FindMyPast methinks.
Annette
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Neno why have you actually lost 2 years work? Are your censuses etc not under "my records"?
Annette the results page doesn't have the number of pages on it at the moment but I did manage to find an arrow when I was viewing on the Kindle which turned the record over to the next image.Do you have any other device you can look at them on?
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Hampshire Lass
Have a tablet so will give it a go and let you know.
Annette
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This looks like one of the reasons they have changed the site - from their newsletter
The findmypast team is pleased to announce the launch of our 100 in 100 campaign. Over the next 100 days we will be releasing new records every week comprising of millions of new names and showcasing some of our recently added collections. You can now explore more of your family’s history than ever before.
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Has anyone else found it difficult when looking at marriages.
I wanted to know who married Walter Emeney in 1893 but FindMyPast now don't give the possible spouses. - both freebmd and ancestry do for this one, what is wrong with those guys who 'improved' our site?
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Hampshire lass
The list of my saved records are under my records, but if I try to view them, I have a black screen with the whirling white circle.
Not happy
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Hampshire lass
The list of my saved records are under my records, but if I try to view them, I have a black screen with the whirling white circle.
Not happy
Aah, I see. However, I doubt they're lost forever.....I think they will eventually sort it out. Not that it's much consolation at the moment.
I just get a black screen when I go to view on the camera icon but can manage it through "my records". I wonder why you can't get there by the same method. Do you have IE?
Have you emailed them about your problem. I think it's worth doing so (and maybe they'll give you 2 months free membership :) )
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Has anyone else found it difficult when looking at marriages.
I wanted to know who married Walter Emeney in 1893 but FindMyPast now don't give the possible spouses. - both freebmd and ancestry do for this one, what is wrong with those guys who 'improved' our site?
We discussed this issue here
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=682699.msg5271081#msg5271081
but looking at your example, freebmd has the surname as Emeny (correctly) whilst FindMyPast has it as Emeney and Alice has ref 4a 1431 whilst FindMyPast has 4a 1413 so their database doesn't find a match.
I've reported both errors.
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Here is their reply to my email enquiring about the difference between 'birth town' and 'birth place'
Having checked various records in the census years, there are fields for Birth Place and also Birth town, however, there does not appear to be any information listed in the birth place field, where as there is information recorded in the birth town field, therefore, it appears that the birth place field may be a redundant search field
I find it increasingly difficult to believe that this was thoroughly tested before being launched - there are so many anomalies in the census search forms alone!
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Oh dear - it looks as if they don't really know much about family history database searching doesn't it :-X
|I'm stil waiting for a response about sub renewals :(
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Oh dear - it looks as if they don't really know much about family history database searching doesn't it :-X
Yes I'm getting that impression too. But I suppose it's not unreasonable that the customer support staff wouldn't be that familiar with genealogy research. The problem is if the management and developers don't know much about it. :-X
While I'm now finding I can get the results I want, its just so time consuming and cumbersome. I'm still using ancestry to do most of my census searches and BMD indexes searches 'cos it's quicker even with new search. :-X :-X I still tend to use FindMyPast for data set searches that aren't available elsewhere and to be honest that's what I've always done.
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Just had my first experience of the new site. What a disaster! It would be nice if they could have tested the site before going live. I can see why there are so many posts on this thread. At least I only bought a month's sub, which I seriously doubt if I'll be renewing >:(
Thank heaven for Ancestry, where I'm now heading . . .
Mike.
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Just had my first experience of the new site. What a disaster! It would be nice if they could have tested the site before going live. I can see why there are so many posts on this thread. At least I only bought a month's sub, which I seriously doubt if I'll be renewing >:(
Thank heaven for Ancestry, where I'm now heading . . .
Mike.
Yes indeed. Very interesting on the FindMyPast feedback Paul Dunlop Product Manager stated 1000's had tested the new format.
From the lack of feedback tonight I wonder if FindMyPast have in fact now stopped feedback just as they have stopped taking phone calls
R
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REALLY WEIRD ! If you post the URL of this thread on the findmypast feedback forum customer complaints thread, it posts, but if you then immediately reload the page, it has disappeared. It's looking like the URL for this thread, and perhaps also this site, is being automatically detected and instantly deleted. Bizarre, URLs to sites which contain even more strenuous criticism of FindMyPast can be posted and will remain on display, and the FindMyPast issue is now widely known outside FindMyPast.
http://feedback.findmypast.co.uk/forums/222583-ideas-and-improvements/suggestions/5649598-improve-features-to-bring-in-line-with-the-old-sit
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I have been on the new Find My Past over a month..hate the new format..but just gone on again..AND OH WHAT...it change again ..or i,m on drugs,...could not even get a home page...what is going on????
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REALLY WEIRD ! If you post the URL of this thread on the findmypast feedback forum customer complaints thread, it posts, but if you then immediately reload the page, it has disappeared. It's looking like the URL for this thread, and perhaps also this site, is being automatically detected and instantly deleted. Bizarre, URLs to sites which contain even more strenuous criticism of FindMyPast can be posted and will remain on display, and the FindMyPast issue is now widely known outside FindMyPast.
http://feedback.findmypast.co.uk/forums/222583-ideas-and-improvements/suggestions/5649598-improve-features-to-bring-in-line-with-the-old-sit
I just did a test. I posted "Testing... www.rootschat.com" - it posted but disappeared on reload. I then did a second test and posted "Testing... www.microsoft.com" and the same thing happened. I don't think they are targeting Rootschat in particular. Prob just security measure to stop spammers etc.
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REALLY WEIRD ! If you post the URL of this thread on the findmypast feedback forum customer complaints thread, it posts, but if you then immediately reload the page, it has disappeared. It's looking like the URL for this thread, and perhaps also this site, is being automatically detected and instantly deleted. Bizarre, URLs to sites which contain even more strenuous criticism of FindMyPast can be posted and will remain on display, and the FindMyPast issue is now widely known outside FindMyPast.
http://feedback.findmypast.co.uk/forums/222583-ideas-and-improvements/suggestions/5649598-improve-features-to-bring-in-line-with-the-old-sit
Perhaps the last straw was the WDYTYA magazine editorial being posted!! I tried to post a comment just after 6pm and it's only that thread that's locked the others are still working.
Shame on FindMyPast - looks like they are happy to take subscriptions but can't take any criticism.
R
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I just did a test. I posted "Testing... www.rootschat.com" - it posted but disappeared on reload. I then did a second test and posted "Testing... www.microsoft.com" and the same thing happened. I don't think they are targeting Rootschat in particular. Prob just security measure to stop spammers etc.
Could someone try posting the link using the Tinyurl shrink link to this thread and the previous 2. This one is : http://tinyurl.com/qezhp9f
To do the other links ~ http://tinyurl.com/
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Hi
Am I the only one who is fed up with the constant whinging about FindMyPast. Yes, we all know that FindMyPast is a shambles, and so I'm sure do FindMyPast, but so many of the complaints are repetitive. Once FindMyPast are aware of a problem they don't need to be told multiple times, it doesn't help.
Normally a website such as FindMyPast would do updates at a quiet time so as to disrupt as few people as possible, because of the number of issues it would appear they are doing updates at other times so if something disappears or you can't access a database. try again later.
I also find it REALLY WIERD that a new chatter signed up and the first post is on this topic.
Andy
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Andy
This thread is here for people to make comments on the the new site or give suggestions. I don't think criticizing other members falls within it's brief. If the owners objected to the thread, I'm sure it would have been locked or removed.
You could start a new thread maybe ;D ;D ;D
Even FindMyPast has a crit/comment thread going.
Gadget
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Hi
Am I the only one who is fed up with the constant whinging about FindMyPast. Yes, we all know that FindMyPast is a shambles, and so I'm sure do FindMyPast, but so many of the complaints are repetitive. Once FindMyPast are aware of a problem they don't need to be told multiple times, it doesn't help.
Normally a website such as FindMyPast would do updates at a quiet time so as to disrupt as few people as possible, because of the number of issues it would appear they are doing updates at other times so if something disappears or you can't access a database. try again later.
I also find it REALLY WIERD that a new chatter signed up and the first post is on this topic.
Andy
Yes it is normal for websites to update & you try later but in the case of FindMyPast there is no warning or explanation unless you happen to be on Facebook!For those of us that don't do social networking we have to rely on online information from other sites be mindful that FindMyPast are not taking phone calls nor are they replying to emails.
The site is flawed what works for some is not working for others as proven by the feedback forum
- thankfully I'm lucky my tree was not on there & I have Ancestry as a main site.
As Gadget said this site is open for anyone to join surely or are new members going to be blocked if they mention the FindMyPast "Shambles"
Laytown
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I don't understand why its weird for someone to join and then make their first post on this particular topic.
Surely it is open to anyone to join Rootschat and then they are entitled to post on any topic they wish :-\
For myself, I will admit to a few 'whinges', but I have been posting on here mainly to report back about information I've received from FindMyPast regarding discrepancies and anomalies on search forms. I did this to try and inform other people not to 'whinge'.
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Hi Gadget
The problem is that suggestions about how to get around the issues are getting lost amongst all the other posts. The new search is to a certain degree like a new website and it is a matter of learning how to use it. Yes, there are quite a few bugs in the system but much of the site does appear to work if used properly.
Andy
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The continual barrage of complaints, whether they are repetetive or not, are showing FindMyPast that the inadequate search engine that they have foisted on paying members (many like myself have paid hundreds of pounds in subs) is now a burden and in some areas still unusable compared with the previous incarnation. If the complains had not started, or very quickly stopped, even the most basic problems/faults would not be addressed. The responses from FindMyPast on their Facebook page are of the corporate kind and in most cases inadequate hence prompting more posts. Their technical responses are inadequate and sometimes wrong. The responses on their forum are now zero.
The Product manager who responded on the Forum has now been replaced with a generic 'Admin'. The much heralded 'FindMyPast just got better' is now 'FindMyPast has Changed'. The phone lines are dead. Response to emails is random (I have no response to a technical query afer more than a week, others seem to have immediate responses). Apart from a corporate response last week, the management is silent.
Regardless of the design of the new search engine, the thing was released poorly designed inadequatley tested, the most error riddled web site I've ever seen. Is it a surprise that the complaints keep flowing repetetive or not. We should not be their testers.
Simon
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Hi
after the first shock and a few probs I now find Findmypast as good as the information I put in,
sometimes better if I put in less it works for me and at least I donnt get a list of names that have nothing to doo with my question unlike ancestry
regards
Westmorland
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Hi Gadget
The problem is that suggestions about how to get around the issues are getting lost amongst all the other posts. The new search is to a certain degree like a new website and it is a matter of learning how to use it. Yes, there are quite a few bugs in the system but much of the site does appear to work if used properly.
Andy
Andy
Would you buy an untested car? This new site was untested and is very flawed - it's not a question of using the site properly - I have 2 friends who cannot and do not have search fields that I have.
It's not purely a UK issue it is also a problem in AU & USA
If it works for you good but for some of us we have paid and had no service. I am more than happy not to add any further comments to RootsChat.
L
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Here is their reply to my email enquiring about the difference between 'birth town' and 'birth place'
Having checked various records in the census years, there are fields for Birth Place and also Birth town, however, there does not appear to be any information listed in the birth place field, where as there is information recorded in the birth town field, therefore, it appears that the birth place field may be a redundant search field
I find it increasingly difficult to believe that this was thoroughly tested before being launched - there are so many anomalies in the census search forms alone!
but did 'they' say, 'we do apologise, this is yet another mistake . . .'
;)
Lisa
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but did 'they' say, 'we do apologise, this is yet another mistake . . .'
They thanked me for drawing it to their attention.
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This new program is sending me crazy!! I cannot open images, even with apps like Deja-Vu.
Did they really have to make these changes???
I can't even use the emoticons!! Just as well - since they would need to be RED (for angry).
Moderator Comment:
Topic locked as it's getting big, and continued:
The new Findmypast (Part 4) (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=683778.0)