Big Problem - signing in to Ancestry free access sites

[aghadowey]

And many public libraries have subscriptions to Ancestry - which means you can consult anything on Ancestry free of charge if you are able to get to such a library.

JAP

As I have relatives scatted all over the world I would really like to subscribe to Ancestry (inspite of all the horrible transcription errors, difficult searching at times, etc.) but cannot afford to do so. Unfortunately my local libraries do not have subscriptions to Ancestry. The LDS library is never open the hours posted and do not even have local records on microfilm. Therefore, for many bits of information I am dependant on whatever records are available online and the kindness of many people here on Rootschat.

[MarieC]

aghadowey

The LDS centres don't have full Ancestry any more, either - that arrangement fell over!    I think you can consult census indexes and that's about all.  A sad day, it was... 

MarieC

[JAP]

aghadowey, I was very careful to say "if you are able to get to such a library".  You more than deserve any help you can get from others given your unvarying helpfulness.

But I don't think it hurts to keep on reminding RootsChatters that there are many public libraries with Ancestry access, and also to mention local LDS FHCs - there are always newcomers to RC, and also longer term members who might never have known or who might have forgotten.

I guess I'm lucky as my state library has Ancestry access (or did last time I tried!) and there are several LDS FHCs within driving distance (one less than 5min drive away).  And those that I've gone to stick to their advertised opening hours (which include at least one evening opening) and have very helpful volunteer staff.

Just one little gripe - when a 'new broom' came in, my state library gave away its IGI fiche (against the advice of its genealogists) because "they took up too much room" and "it's all online now"!  And we know that the ancient IGI fiche sometimes contain more information than the online IGI ...

Such is life!

JAP 

[Sylviaann]

Just to sumarise

Public libraries in England have access to BDM as do LDS centres.  It is how we used to do it in the old days.  You do have to search quarter by quarter.   Freebmd is available on-line although not complete

LDS usually have census or you can order them.  You just can't search by surname.  A lot of people on here have discs of census or are members of ancestry and may be willing to search.

Jap you are right about the microfiche of the LDS.  It gave the mothers maiden name if it was on the record.  I got copies of the names I was researching 320 years ago.  Very useful

Sylviaann

[trish251]

aghadowey

The LDS centres don't have full Ancestry any more, either - that arrangement fell over!    I think you can consult census indexes and that's about all.  A sad day, it was... 

MarieC

Hi Marie

I think most commercial family history organisations would not be at all keen on the LDS offerings - unheard of to provide information & assistance at no charge! I'm always amazed as to what they charge for CDs compared to commercial, gen society and govt prices - and as for free access to their online data !!      

Trish

[MarieC]

Hi Marie

I think most commercial family history organisations would not be at all keen on the LDS offerings - unheard of to provide information & assistance at no charge! I'm always amazed as to what they charge for CDs compared to commercial, gen society and govt prices - and as for free access to their online data !!      

Trish

You're spot on, Trish!  I wasn't at all criticising the LDS for that arrangement going belly up - I'm sure it was Ancestry that pulled the pin, not the LDS!  I am currently ratting through another of their microfilms, hired in for the ridiculously cheap price of $5!  I constantly tell them that I don't know what I'd do without them!

MarieC

[Tomdanpete]

Can anyone tell me if this site has changed, before I could search the BMD section free now it seems that this no longer possible and you have to pay, is this the case.
Regards Peter.

[Necromancer]

sadly, yes.

[meles]

I have access to Ancestry, but still use FreeBMD, as it's almost as good.

Or there's always RootsChat! 

meles