Which online database?

[themetalchicken]

I'm a bit confused by all the different subscription websites that offer BMD's, census returns etc. online. Can anyone advise which might be the best to sign up to.

Thank you.

Annie

[O1dgobbo]

Hi Annie

Welcome to Rootschat

It is very much a matter of personal preference.  My family are nearly all UK based and I find Ancestry UK provides quite a lot of what I need - so I have an annual subscription to them.  I can access Ancestry UK and International for free at my local library - since the UK & International subscription is twice the UK subscription I save my few international queries for library visits.  Findmypast is possibly more accurate than Ancestry but not as comprehensive in its census coverage and so I tend to use that site on a pay per view basis.  Scotlandspeople is essential if you have Scots in your family tree - its a very good site and again I use it on a pay per view basis.

Good luck

Gobbo

[Wendi]

Hi Annie !

I guess it depends upon what you want to look at, and what you can afford  

Many of them offer different databases, so it's perhaps a good idea to make a list of which data will help you the most in your research, and then compare that list with what the various sites have to offer.

Don't forget to take into account that often sites offer pay to view services as well, so you can "dip in for a specific piece of info" if you need it, for say a fiver.

Wendi  

[O1dgobbo]

Hi Annie

Apologies for my senior moment - I read 160 posts as 1 post - must need new glasses.

Good luck

Gobbo

[mike175]

Hi Annie,

Although it's not universally loved, I too find Ancestry is the most useful single site. The subscription is not cheap, and has recently increased. I'm not sure of the exact amount, but I think it is over £150/year for the full membership, less if you only want UK data.

It has certainly proved the most help to me over the last few years, but I probably won't renew my membership again due to the law of diminishing returns . . .

Mike.  

[kerryb]

Annie

There is a very useful article in this month's Your Family Magazine about this very subject.  I found it very unbiased and useful for spelling out what is included in the packages from the main online databases.  I would imagine you can still buy a copy.

My own personal choice is findmypast because its British and the transcriptions I find are better however I just cannot give up Ancestry.co.uk which currently has more census years and some other bits and pieces.

But as has been stated its personal choice at the end of the day.

Kerry