1911 census..

[Nick29]

The more detailed search options are currently disabled to avoid overloading the servers too much, and I'm sure they will be improved when the full service starts.   I think that some people are losing sight of the fact that a year ago most of us had resigned ourselves to not being able to see the 1911 census until 2011, which was the case in all previous censuses (the 1901 census was not viewable online until 2001, and I think many of us remember that fiasco !) 

No-one wants to pay high prices for viewing and downloading documents, but faced with the option of paying £2.50 to view a 1911 census page NOW, or view it more cheaply on subscription in April 2011, then I choose the former option.  Other people have that choice too.  If you think it's too expensive, then wait out the "100 year rule", and see it more cheaply in two years' time.

[kerryb]

But then if we all decide its too expensive and sit it out who's going to test the site    No doubt they know we can't possibly do that hence the extortionate price. 

Kerry

[Gadget]

Think we should all agree that it is wonderful being able to find our relatives but then there are those of us who pay but think it's extortionate and would like some kind of reward for testing (the vast majority) and there are some, like Nick, who are quite happy with providing free feedback and the charging policy of the Beta test site

Maybe that's where it should end. Otherwise it's going around in circles

A good New Year to you all 


Gadget

[Nick29]

The early adopters of all new technologies are always the ones that foot the R & D bills....... VHS, CD's, DVD's, Blu-Ray.......

I bought one of the first CD players in the early 1980's, and I paid nearly £400 for it.  Now they're £39.99 

Anyway, echoing Gadget's sentiments - a Happy New Year to you all   !

[smudwhisk]

Not really wanting to send this into another spiral, but a thought on Nick's analogy with the good old VCR (and my parents originally had Betamax not VHS) - early takeup also depends on your motives for doing it. 

There will no doubt be many who are stuck on a line where the 1911 census may help them go back a generation.  For them its cheaper than a certificate which they may not be able to find easily anyway. 

For me, after 10 years active research, I'm trying to confirm sidelines coming forward and there are a considerable number of them to find by 1911.  Therefore no I am not going to purchase original images because it would be way too expensive but with a combination of the advanced search function on the site and £50s worth of transcripts (which I've purchased over the last week) I've managed to make headways into quite a few lines coming forward.  These are lines I would not purchase certificates for but am now able to perhaps bring even further forward now through the BMD indexes post 1911.  I'm happy, would prefer the original images but am prepared two wait until 2012 if I have to because I don't need the info, just would like it.  Its very much a question of why everyone as an individual is searching on the site ... and yes it is addictive!!

That's me off my soapbox, have a Happy New Year.

Nicola

[Nick29]

Good points, Nicola.  What I think FindMyPast should do is to give a discount on the image if you have already bought the transcript.  After all, should you find a transcription error, you will do doubt report it, so they are gaining in the long run.

[kerryb]

I just agree to disagree and wish you all a very Happy New Year 

I agree with Nicola about people's different reasons for searching 

Kerry

[noo]

when does the restricted 1911 census appear for the rest of us? I know its 2009 but when?

[nanny jan]

I don't think any release date has been announced..........or have I missed it?


Nanny Jan