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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: MonicaL on Thursday 17 November 22 19:27 GMT (UK)
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Just seen the following on their website:
Upcoming Essential Maintenance - Wednesday 23rd November 2022
ScotlandsPeople will be offline for maintenance on 23 November. The ScotlandsPeople Centre in Edinburgh will be closed and the site will be unavailable in local history centres. We are upgrading our system and migrating storage, and we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause.
If you have a booking in our ScotlandsPeople Search Rooms on 23rd November, we will be in contact with you directly to re-arrange or to provide a refund.
Is there any chance this planned maintenance may include the launch of the 1921 census too...I live in hope ::)
Monica
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Is there any chance this planned maintenance may include the launch of the 1921 census too...I live in hope ::)
Monica
... and Pay-by-Subscription, pleeeeeeease !
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... and Pay-by-Subscription, pleeeeeeease !
I'm just watching the pig flying past my window .....
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I Thought it was a Black Bear,
Maybe not seeing properly with all this rain.
Yours Aye
BruceL
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The site is back up and running albeit, with a new look.
Something isn't quite right with the deaths.
Been looking at deaths and from what I can see, whilst the facility to enter other surname is still on the search, if you enter one, it results in no matches.
I tested this by entering my death mother's details.
If I search individually by married and maiden name, both names show separately under the same index number.
However, if I was to search by the usual method and enter the married plus the maiden name in the Other Surname field it results in no matches.
I tried it with other female relatives and its the same.... no match results each time.
EDIT
I have reported this to Scotlands People
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Oh dear :(
It was very irritating to get the 'more than 1000 results' error message when there were fewer than 1000 results for the primary name on its own, but this doesn't sound like an improvement.
Also, I see that the census index now lists only the parish/district reference number. I have in the past found the inclusion of the ED and page number extremely useful for working out which pages to view.
The Germans have a word for this sort of thing: 'Verschlimmbesserung' - meaning improvements that actually make things worse. See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/verschlimmbessern
Do we know what new information is available in this verschlimmbessert version?
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I don't really see and changes with the exception of the "eye" icon.
If a mother's maiden name is included, it's hidden in here rather than on the result but, of course it leaves an empty in MMN on the result??
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Hi All
Just tried to login this is my result.
Error(404) https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/modal_forms/nojs/login
back down again
Yours Aye
BruceL
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... and Pay-by-Subscription, pleeeeeeease !
I'm just watching the pig flying past my window .....
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Oh dear oh dear oh dear.
I've been experimenting with the updated SP index.
If I search the marriages index for marriages of a Smith to a M*cdonald, the result is "Sorry, there are no results for your search."
Given that an identical search on the old International Genealogical Index for marriages of Smith to M*cdonald, from 1855 to 1875 only, produces 110 results, there must be many hundreds if not thousands of marriages of a M*cdonald to a Smith between 1855 and the present day.
It would be irritating to get a result saying 'There are too many results to display' but that would at least be truthful.
Saying 'There are no results' is just plain wrong.
This is worse than Verschlimmbesserung. It's actually Kaputtreparieren - repairs causing damage that threatens to make the repaired item useless.
I have e-mailed SP to draw this to their attention, as there is no point moaning about things here or anywhere else without taking it up with those responsible.
Now, if everyone else on RC were to do something similar ..... ?
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The site is back up and running albeit, with a new look.
Something isn't quite right with the deaths.
Been looking at deaths and from what I can see, whilst the facility to enter other surname is still on the search, if you enter one, it results in no matches.
I tested this by entering my death mother's details.
If I search individually by married and maiden name, both names show separately under the same index number.
However, if I was to search by the usual method and enter the married plus the maiden name in the Other Surname field it results in no matches.
I tried it with other female relatives and its the same.... no match results each time.
EDIT
I have reported this to Scotlands People
I have been having this issue for a long time.
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What a pain...and still no 1921 census introduction :'(
Only just got home after some days away so will despair now trying different searches.
Monica
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Oh dear :(
It was very irritating to get the 'more than 1000 results' error message when there were fewer than 1000 results for the primary name on its own, but this doesn't sound like an improvement.
I have been getting this a lot previously, even when the results number is below 1000 results.
Also, I see that the census index now lists only the parish/district reference number. I have in the past found the inclusion of the ED and page number extremely useful for working out which pages to view.
This is certainly not helpful and will make census searches more hit and miss (...and ultimately more expensive to do) :-\
Monica
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Since I started to use Scotlands People, I have always used the wildcard of '*' for variant spellings. I have always just used it without having to select anything before using it.
No longer the case it seems. You need to click the option to include the wildcard option for each line of a surname/ first name so that it will apply:
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T
Been looking at deaths and from what I can see, whilst the facility to enter other surname is still on the search, if you enter one, it results in no matches.
I tested this by entering my death mother's details.
If I search individually by married and maiden name, both names show separately under the same index number.
However, if I was to search by the usual method and enter the married plus the maiden name in the Other Surname field it results in no matches.
I tried it with other female relatives and its the same.... no match results each time.
This hopefully is a temporary glitch.
From their guidance notes on site www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/guides/record-guides/statutory-register-deaths
Surname - please note that women are indexed under their maiden surname and any married surname(s)
Other surname - enter a woman's maiden surname or a previous married surname to narrow your search. The index cannot distinguish between name types, for example, a search for a married woman named Brown with maiden surname Smith returns entries for a married woman Smith with maiden surname Brown. If the maiden and married surnames are the same search on surname and leave this field blank.
Let's hope this is up and running again very soon.
Monica
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Continuing on death searches, again from their guidance notes linked above:
Mother’s maiden surname - this wasn't included in the statutory index of deaths until 1974. The information is being added retrospectively starting with the early years although you may find it in some later entries as a result of individual record updates. If you enter a name in this field and the information hasn't been included in the index the record will not be found.
Don't think this is up an running yet. Blank columns on deaths post 1974.
Have tried again on my maiden name....and getting nil results. My main line has never existed it seems (and my maiden name is not that common) ::)
Monica
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I think I am going to walk away from SP for a few days and let them sort things out.
Monica
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Hi All
I have been looking at OPR births I have one
I am looking for births to this couple: Daniel Campbell and Mary McNiven I have only been able to find one Archibald Born December 1820 search criteria as follows.
You searched for - Church type: Old Parish Registers - Births, Surname: "campbell", Surname options: "Exact names only", Forename: "Archibald", Forename options: "Wildcards allowed", Year range: "from 1810 to 1830", County/city: "GLASGOW CITY" 47 replies.
If I cut and paste parents' names and instead of using "Glasgow" use all and just using surname for child.
I do not get any hits.
How does this work.
I wish people would not try to improve a system that works and leave well alone.
Yours Aye
BruceL
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Family Search www.familysearch.org/en/ "enhancements" also come to mind, BruceL :-\
Monica
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Since I started to use Scotlands People, I have always used the wildcard of '*' for variant spellings. I have always just used it without having to select anything before using it.
No longer the case it seems. You need to click the option to include the wildcard option for each line of a surname/ first name so that it will apply:
Yes, I've noticed that too. Irritating way beyond its relatively minor inconvenience.
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Issue that I reported this morning relating to deaths has been fixed.... sort of.
Still not accepting both maiden and married names on one search but, at least it's accepting a blank surname field.
I can now get results by entering my mother's first name, year of death, age at death and the registration district which produces 3 names.
Her maiden and married name plus her mother's name from a second marriage.
The "eye" icon seems to have vanished?
EDIT:
Please do not let this be a glitch........
For the most part, MMN has been restored on births.
Many of you will recall that MMN was originally included on births with the old SP site and got lost with the launch of the current one ( I think it was launched in 2014)
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I tried the site early yesterday afternoon & not one of my (previously bought) searches produced any results ???
The VRs were a complete disaster...I had results with street names other than what I'd typed in!
The whole site was a complete shambles.
Why don't they ask their well experienced customers (us) what's needed as what was produced after the update is a backward step or 20, an absolute disaster.
I hope it's improved by the time I venture back later today.
Not amused :'(
Annie
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This morning, I now get results searching for two surnames in the marriages. Last night, I got 'There are no results for your search' when I searched for marriages of Smith to M*cdonald. Today there are 1,610.
But if I search for deaths of Smith, other surname M*cdonald, 'There are no results for your search'.
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Oh dear it seems to be a disaster.
I have to log in each time even although I tick the box "remember me" gives the message error 404. Well I haven't changed anything ???
My OPR saved searches are a total mess. I get a whole load of red gobldy gook and if I scroll down I may or may not get my record.
Very frustrating to be polite,
Dorrie
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Not had any Scottish ancestors to research before, and only now for a friend, but i'd been looking for an elusive ancestor (one of 15 siblings of her great grandfather, all born in Cardiff) when i spotted a link to a possible daughter of his born in Inverness, then this topic, so tried ScotlandsPeople. Thrilled to discover his marriage, another 10 children in the births, plus several of their marriages and children, and a number of deaths. While it may have problems for regular users, i have to say i am really pleased (though no doubt annoying when it changes and causes problems, such as the probate search site a while back)
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Oh dear it seems to be a disaster.
I have to log in each time even although I tick the box "remember me" gives the message error 404. Well I haven't changed anything ???
My OPR saved searches are a total mess. I get a whole load of red gobldy gook and if I scroll down I may or may not get my record.
Very frustrating to be polite,
Dorrie
I've been getting the 404 error too
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Deirdre784, that is great that you found the records you needed :)
Don't get us wrong. We are some of the biggest fans of SP and many of us have used it for years for general reseach as well as our family lines.
It is, in the main, the only source for many original Scottish records which is why it is so important that it gets back up and running soon.
I am optimistic for one that this will all settle and get back on track (although some functions may have gone/been replaced which is not so good).
Monica
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I have it from the horse's mouth that the death search using two surnames is to be reinstated 'as soon as possible'.
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That's great news Forfarian. The sooner the better.
Thanks for updating us,
Dorrie
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Well...my hopes have been dashed as the VRs are still a complete disaster.
I didn't include a Forename or Surname!
There's no working option for the choice of 'Parish', however, the 'Burgh/City' seems to work although next to useless too.
"You searched for - Please select a year: "1875", Status: "ALL", Place: "Oswald Street", County/city: "LANARK COUNTY", Parish: "ALL", Burgh/city: "ALL"
172,053 results"...
"Showing 1 to 25 of 172,053 (6,883 pages)"
I have been using the VRs since the beginning without any problems as it's a great help in filling in gaps between census' &/or finding out who people were living with possibly as a Boarder/Lodger from addresses given on certs.
Normal searches for a street name will bring up everyone in the street but I seem to have a list of everyone in the County of Lanark regardless which street they lived in ???
I hope this is reinstated as soon as possible too as it's a 'dog's dinner' ::)
Annie
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It would be an idea if the SP 'Maintenance' people used a normal computer to do normal searches (as we do) as they'd soon see where the problems are...
However, I'm wondering if the people who do the 'Maintenance' actually know how to do 'research' as we do?
Do they do 'Genealogy' & understand what their changes mean or what facilities they're actually disrupting rather than making better?
What do others think?
Soon we're going to have no simple/easy 'searchable' genealogy sites which worked well for over 20 yrs prior to all the new/updated (easier to use) facilities.
Annie
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Thrilled to discover his marriage, another 10 children in the births, plus several of their marriages and children, and a number of deaths.
I'm really happy your 1st visit to SP has been successful, however, can you tell us which dates you were looking at as obviously some of the records only have minor but very annoying changes...
One of those mentioned by Monica at Reply #13, the loss of the 'Wildcards' option which worked automatically prior to the 'Maintenance' which saved so much time.
Annie
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I've e-mailed SP about the wildcards option - suggested that 'wildcards allowed' should be the default option, and 'exact spelling' should be an explicit choice.
Please, everyone, e-mail comments and suggestions to ScotlandsPeople <customerservices@scotlandspeople.gov.uk> or via the 'Contact us' link on their web page. I don't know whether or not they monitor RootsChat (probably not), but if they don't they aren't going to get our feedback unless we send it direct to them.
And when you are at it, congratulate and thank them for including mothers' maiden surnames in the statutory births index, which is a very welcome new feature.
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Deirdre784, that is great that you found the records you needed :)
Thanks Monica :)
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Forfarian, re your Reply #32
I agree & intend on emailing SP but I haven't been through everything as yet to detail all my complaints in one go or maybe they should be in separate emails?
I'm not sure which way would be best?
Has anyone else had a problem with the VRs as I only tried the one I posted about which was Lanark?
Annie
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And when you are at it, congratulate and thank them for including mothers' maiden surnames in the statutory births index, which is a very welcome new feature.
That is fantastic news. A very welcome feature for sure (which has been available on the GRO for English and Welsh births for some time). I notice mother's maiden name is now included from the start of official registration in 1855 up to circa 1920 currently. Forfarian, do you know if this will be an ongoing exercise with more years being added over time?
Monica
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That is fantastic news. A very welcome feature for sure (which has been available on the GRO for English and Welsh births for some time). I notice mother's maiden name is now included from the start of official registration in 1855 up to circa 1920 currently. Forfarian, do you know if this will be an ongoing exercise with more years being added over time?
I believe so. As it is, the mmns of births from 1929 until the present are already in the in-house version of the index, and I can't think of any reason why they would stop adding them for the remaining few years of the 1920s.
But they may decide not to make mmns of recent births available online, in line with the 100-year cut-off. After all, there is a definite security risk in doing that - how often have you been asked to provide your mother's maiden surname as security when registering for some web site or other?
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However, the GRO make mother's name freely available on searches so not sure that would make sense for NRS not to do so now going forward? Before the argument was that it had not originally been indexed and therefore not available when searching. By the look of it now, that will no longer be the case.
Monica
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However, the GRO make mother's name freely available on searches so not sure that would make sense for NRS not to do so now going forward? Before the argument was that it had not originally been indexed and therefore not available when searching. By the look of it now, that will no longer be the case.
Mmn has always been indexed since about 1928 and has always been available in-house, but it was not in the older indexes, whether in the handwritten or typed or printed ones.
The original England and Wales didn't include mmn either until 1911, which is why they are missing from FreeBMD. The E and W GRO has now added mmn to its own earlier indexes but you have to go to the GRO web site to get that information. https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/
The Irish birth indexes used to have some mmns but they now seem to have been removed.
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The Virtual Volumes now load instantly - sometimes I had time to go and make a cup of tea between clicking on the volume number and the document actually loading, so that's a definite improvement.
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Hi All
Has anyone seen this before reading kirk minutes.
Our Fair Use Policy means that you may only view a maximum number of images in any given day. You are now approaching the limit and may only view 50 more images today. If you attempt to pass the limit your account will be temporarily restricted until 00.00 UK time.
Yours Aye
BruceL
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Never seen that before.
50 pages is probably enough for one day anyway - sometimes they are really hard to read and I'd be cross-eyed long before I got that far.
I have looked on the web site to see what the actual limit is but have yet to find it.
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Has anyone succeeded in signing up for the Scotland's People newsletter? If so, how did you achieve this feat?
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I haven't seen how to yet, but this is November's newsletter here www.kirkcudbrighthistorysociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/november-newsletter.pdf
Monica
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Found it. See this short youtube clip which makes it easy to see how to do this:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD9NOJrYRTU&ab_channel=NationalRecordsOfScotland
Monica
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Thanks. Monica.
The curious thing is that when I do all that, the box for subscribing to the newsletter is already ticked. But I don't recall ever having received one.
Most peculiar.
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I haven't seen how to yet, but this is November's newsletter here www.kirkcudbrighthistorysociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/november-newsletter.pdf
Yes. November 2020. Have there really not been any newsletters in two years?
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Thinking about it now, I haven't received any for a long time :-\
Monica
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Hi All
It's all about covid
Yours Aye
BruceL
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I have a Scotlands People Newsletter from August 2022. There could have been a more recent one but I can't be sure (the next most recent in my email is June 2021 and I do know there were some in between those dates which I obviously haven't kept).
It is so long ago I haven't a clue how or when I registered for the newsletter. I have two accounts and at one point I remember getting two copies of the newsletter every time it came out. I don't recollect that happening recently ???
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There was an exchange on twitter where Scotland's People's account promised the 1921 would be available by the end of the year but refused to give a date. Kind of running out of dates.
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SP have a message today 30 November 06-09:00 off line ahead of publication of 1921 Census , cant wait but may log on after the rush ebbs away.
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Happy St.Andrews day ;
Will probably leave until the end of the week.
Yours Aye
BruceL
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I’m getting crazy errors using the simple quick search (which I’m pleased is back).
It was saying search exceeded 50mb and a big red banner pop up. Left it 5 mins and was ok. I expect there’s a lot of production tinkering going on.
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Hi, hope this is the correct thread for my post,
I bought 30 credits from SP last night to continue searching the 1921 census, I paid via paypal, received an email from SP to confirm the purchase, it's on my paypal account that the payment was made, but i haven't received any credits, i sent SP an email last night but haven't as yet received a reply.
Is this a common occurrence or am I just unlucky, I was really enjoying all the new info from the census, now I don't know whether to try and buy credits again or wait till SP answer my email.
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Hi doch,
I sometimes find that when I purchase new credits, that I have to sign out of SP, then back in and the credits show up.
Cheers
KHP
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Thanks KHP, I tried logging out/in but credits are still missing.
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Great!
Search for deaths using two surnames is now back. :)
.... Oh dear, spoke too soon. It's only back if you don't search for a pair of names of which there are too many instances, but it doesn't say how many is too many.
After playing with it a bit, I think you get a result if neither of the surnames exceeds the magic number, but if either name exceeds the secret magic number you get all the deaths for the first name regardless of the second name.
For example there are 223 deaths of Binny and 337 deaths of Sang. If I search for Sang, other surname Binny, I get the right answer, which is two.
There are 1,028 deaths of Buick and 1,603 of Joss, and if I put in both, I get the correct answer, one.
But there are 75,345 deaths of Macdonald. If I search for first surname Binny, second surname Macdonald, I get all 223 Binny deaths, and a message saying, "Your search for 'Binny' with a second surname 'Macdonald' returned too many results. The results below do not account for the second surname. Please narrow down your search criteria."
If I search for Macdonald, second surname Binny, I get 75,345 results and a message saying, "Your search for 'Macdonald' with a second surname 'Binny' returned too many results. The results below do not account for the second surname. Please narrow down your search criteria."
So if either surname exceeds the magic number, which must be greater than 1,603 but I don't know how much greater, you get all the instances of the first surname not modified by the second name.
This is a great improvement on "There are no results for your search", and it is manageable by refining the search parameters to include given names and/or date of birth ranges and/or mother's maiden surname, but it's not ideal.
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That is great news!
Monica
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Hi doch,
I sometimes find that when I purchase new credits, that I have to sign out of SP, then back in and the credits show up.
Cheers
KHP
I got a reply from SP re my credits, I had mistakenly bought a voucher for 30 credits :P and that's why they weren't showing on my total credits.
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Good to hear it all got resolved, doch :)
I have always found communications with SP very straightforward.
Monica
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I got a reply from SP re my credits, I had mistakenly bought a voucher for 30 credits :P and that's why they weren't showing on my total credits.
Easy to do. Enjoy your searching.
Cheers
KHP