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Family History Beginners Board / Re: Genealogy subscriptions? Y/N?
« on: Tuesday 13 June 06 09:59 BST (UK) »
I use both Ancestry and Origins. Both have good resources which are easy to use.
I find Ancestry most useful to me - I mainly use it for census info. I found that the databases on Origins tend to relate to alot of London/ southern counties so it hasn't been as useful. Having said that I do use it (including Irish and Scottish resources) more now that I find ancestors further afield. I have found some ancestors on the limited availability of census records on Origins where I haven't found them on Ancestry. Both sites are adding databases so giving new options all the time.
As you go to pre 1837, records online become more scarce, as someone has already highlighted. For these then Origins is probably better but again it depends on which areas of the country you need. 1837 online has added many more databases and can be very useful as is familyhistory online. You might be wise to save your money if all you need is now pre 1837 and plan for record office visits and publications from local family history societies.
All the sites have a description of their databases - have a look and see what would suit you best. I can recommend them all for their content but in different ways. Ancestry usually have free trial periods and I think Origins has subs for 72hr access or similar - these might help you decide if one is more suited to you than the other. Depending on how much you want to do, a months sub working on the areas you need followed by a break collecting a list of "to dos" followed by another month later in the year could be most cost effective. I find that my activity comes in bursts so I could do this, but it is good to dip in anytime you like and I just don't have the patience to wait!!
HTH
Jenny
I find Ancestry most useful to me - I mainly use it for census info. I found that the databases on Origins tend to relate to alot of London/ southern counties so it hasn't been as useful. Having said that I do use it (including Irish and Scottish resources) more now that I find ancestors further afield. I have found some ancestors on the limited availability of census records on Origins where I haven't found them on Ancestry. Both sites are adding databases so giving new options all the time.
As you go to pre 1837, records online become more scarce, as someone has already highlighted. For these then Origins is probably better but again it depends on which areas of the country you need. 1837 online has added many more databases and can be very useful as is familyhistory online. You might be wise to save your money if all you need is now pre 1837 and plan for record office visits and publications from local family history societies.
All the sites have a description of their databases - have a look and see what would suit you best. I can recommend them all for their content but in different ways. Ancestry usually have free trial periods and I think Origins has subs for 72hr access or similar - these might help you decide if one is more suited to you than the other. Depending on how much you want to do, a months sub working on the areas you need followed by a break collecting a list of "to dos" followed by another month later in the year could be most cost effective. I find that my activity comes in bursts so I could do this, but it is good to dip in anytime you like and I just don't have the patience to wait!!
HTH
Jenny
