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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Zaphod99 on Friday 25 October 24 16:19 BST (UK)

Title: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: Zaphod99 on Friday 25 October 24 16:19 BST (UK)
Is anyone else getting that message at freebmd?

"Due to a technical issue, post-1900 records cannot be searched. We are working on a solution, but this may take some time so please bear with us. We apologise for any inconvenience."

Zaph
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: Kiltaglassan on Friday 25 October 24 16:26 BST (UK)

Yep, the message is coming up for me also!

KG

Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: Zaphod99 on Friday 25 October 24 16:31 BST (UK)
Phew, in a way I'm quite glad!

Zaph
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: antonymark on Friday 25 October 24 19:47 BST (UK)
Yes, I have this too for the first time today.

The worry is the "may take some time"........

Tony.
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: ChrisAllonby on Saturday 26 October 24 19:59 BST (UK)
This still seems to be a problem, but there's no background information as to the cause, or when it will be remedied. Perhaps someone from the website could provide further details here?
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: Chris Doran on Saturday 26 October 24 21:04 BST (UK)
I've been getting odd messages, usually about it being overloaded, for the last few days. Currently it's saying "Your access to FreeUKGEN is suspended for 10 minutes owing to your irregular access patterns." The only thing I've accessed during the past hour is the shelves at the supermarket.  ???
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: PrawnCocktail on Saturday 26 October 24 21:09 BST (UK)
I've been getting odd messages, usually about it being overloaded, for the last few days. Currently it's saying "Your access to FreeUKGEN is suspended for 10 minutes owing to your irregular access patterns." The only thing I've accessed during the past hour is the shelves at the supermarket.  ???

Same here, except I've been watching Strictly and the Voice, not at the supermarket!
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: MollyC on Saturday 26 October 24 22:26 BST (UK)
The last monthly update was done yesterday.  Perhaps it upset something.
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: Manchester Rambler on Saturday 26 October 24 23:19 BST (UK)
I've been getting odd messages, usually about it being overloaded, for the last few days. Currently it's saying "Your access to FreeUKGEN is suspended for 10 minutes owing to your irregular access patterns." The only thing I've accessed during the past hour is the shelves at the supermarket.  ???

Me too, but I'm going to try to bear with it until they sort it out - FreeBMD is one of the best free genealogical resources for the UK, and they've more than earned my good will! Just hoping it isn't too hard to solve.  ???
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: Zaphod99 on Sunday 27 October 24 00:17 BST (UK)
I'm long retired now from a computer career but I just don't understand how so many companies can get it so wrong so badly. You test things in an isolated environment, and then release them into the public domain. If it goes badly wrong it should have been detected earlier, but if that fails you restore a backup. Why does it fail so many times?

Zaph

Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: StevenG on Sunday 27 October 24 10:41 GMT (UK)
I've copied this from a Facebook group; I assume it is correct.

-------------------------------------------------

If you have used FreeBMD in the last hour or so, you will have noticed that we have placed a temporary restriction on post-1900 records. This was in response to an unknown actor abusing the website search and accessing large amounts of data. Although we understand Death data to be the only information accessed, we have implemented this measure to avoid access to records of living people, as we cannot be sure how the data might be used. We have also put measures in place that prevent this person/group from accessing our data in this way, and we are working to strengthen these barriers further.
We are also exploring placing reCAPTCHA on the volunteer login, in order to further protect your personal data. To be clear: there is no evidence at all that any security breach/hacking has taken place or will take place, it is just the search that is being abused which is a direct breach of our T&Cs. However, we deem it prudent to do what we can to err on the side of caution while this situation exists.
I want to reassure you that this is a temporary measure, and we are working hard to restore full service. We are sorry for any inconvenience and remain grateful for all you do for FreeBMD. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at denise.colbert@freeukgenealogy.org.uk if you have any questions or comments.
Best wishes,
Denise
Denise Colbert
Chief Operating Officer, Free UK Genealogy CIO
Registered in England and Wales, number 1167484
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: BumbleB on Sunday 27 October 24 10:51 GMT (UK)
Thank you very much for the explanation. 
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: ChrisAllonby on Tuesday 29 October 24 21:00 GMT (UK)
I wonder when they are ever going to sort this out? The site is of very limited use at the moment. Any updates on the Facebook page (I don't do FB)?
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: BumbleB on Tuesday 29 October 24 21:35 GMT (UK)
I wonder when they are ever going to sort this out? The site is of very limited use at the moment. Any updates on the Facebook page (I don't do FB)?

Hopefully they will, pretty, pretty please.  Very sorry to see that some need everything when they want it = NOW!   :-\

I've been a transcriber for FreeBMD for a number of years and it has always been excellent.  Long may it live.

Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: WestOz on Wednesday 30 October 24 05:52 GMT (UK)
Taken from another forum, for info:  "There's a message on Facebook which says they have had to block access to post-1900 records because someone was "abusing the website search and accessing large amounts of data." Presumably using a bot to datamine.""
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: jonwarrn on Thursday 31 October 24 14:06 GMT (UK)
The post 1900 records are back on FreeBMD! :)
Title: Re: ERROR: FreeBMD only contains entries between 1837 and 1899
Post by: BumbleB on Thursday 31 October 24 14:13 GMT (UK)
Brilliant - well done FreeBMD  8) 8)