Major changes on Scotlands People: Launch of new site

[kirkmichael]

For anyone who has been reading the ScotlandsPeople User Group meeting minutes, and associated threads on this and other discussion groups, it will come as no surprise to hear that a major upgrade of the SP website at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk will be launched early tomorrow morning (Wednesday 1st September), starting at 01:00 hours GMT; and hopefully completed in less than 10 hours; so that there will be no access to SP during the period required for the upgrade.

I can guarantee that you will love the various search engine upgrades.

But, knowing what computers are like, let's not be too upset if the site is down for a longer period !

kirkmichael

[MonicaL]

On SP website this morning:

ScotlandsPeople is pleased to announce the launch of the new site on Wednesday 1 September. However, in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new site, we anticipate the site will be unavailable to customers from 0100 GMT (0200 BST) for up to 10 (ten) hours during this substantial upgrade. We trust you will bear with us over this time. We are sure that you will find the wait worth while. When the site goes live, there will be links to comprehensive help regarding the new and updated features that should make it easier than ever to search for your Scottish ancestors. For the first time ever customers will be able to plot search results on maps and the Catholic banns, marriages, deaths and burials will be available. Please be assured that all of your searches and images will be available on the new site.

Does anyone know what some of these new features will include? I did read somewhere a while ago, for example, that Wills & Testaments are potentially going to be extended past the current 1901 on line cut off.

Also it looks like the Roman Catholic database is also going to be extended to also include marriages and burials which is brilliant.

Monica 

[Gadget]

I've just used it for the first time.

Not sure if it makes a lot of difference so far - apart from all of  the RC records.

 It's neater but feels cramped to me 


Gadget

[apanderson]

I agree with you about it being a bit cramped Gadget.

Still, like everthing else, we'll have no choice but to get used to it.   

Anne

[MonicaL]

Not seeing any changes to Wills and Testaments regarding extending the database. From the new look screen http://ww1.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/, there are numerous additions of records under BMDs, under new databases available under the Minor Records, including:

Foreign Returns
Marine Register
Service Returns

Monica

[Gadget]

I thought the Marine register was always there in the Minor Records section but lots of others as well - maybe the Find My Past influence 




Gadget

Added - good table:

http://ww1.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/Content/Help/index.aspx?r=554&413

[RJ_Paton]

At least the Advanced search works 

[K44ENF]

I like the year filter on the timeline - better than ploughing through dozens of pages as I occasionally find myself doing.

Wouldn't it have been nice if they had given us all some free credits? Just to help us get used to it ...

[MonicaL]

I am feeling like a real person now  My birth and siblings show on the Consular Returns. My entry shows 6 years after my birth year (so a word of caution to anyone searching for Consular Birth Returns - widen your years range) as does my youngest brother's...but maybe the post from Mexico City wasn't great in those days 

Monica