ERO going Pay-to-Browse for online PRs etc

[findem]

Hi Coombs,

Whilst as you mention it would be easier to search Essex PRs if they were on Ancestry, unless you have other reasons to need Ancestry it would be a costly exercise.  I have just been quoted an Ancestry renewal figure of 170 (plus) UK pounds for the type of subscription which gives access to the various PRs, whereas a one year sub to Essex Ancestors is only 75 pounds.

Regards. 

[smudwhisk]

Hi Coombs,

Whilst as you mention it would be easier to search Essex PRs if they were on Ancestry, unless you have other reasons to need Ancestry it would be a costly exercise.  I have just been quoted an Ancestry renewal figure of 170 (plus) UK pounds for the type of subscription which gives access to the various PRs, whereas a one year sub to Essex Ancestors is only 75 pounds.

Regards. 

That seems a bit expensive since a worldwide sub paid in one go is only £155, unless they've just put it up??  Were you quoted paying monthly?

The only problem with ancestry's PRs is that most are scans of the microfilms/fiche and if these aren't very good, the problems are replicated.  At least ERO redigitised the originals, although I've had a moan at them recently regarding the really low resolution images for Dovercourt.  The response wasn't very helpful, they couldn't see an issue would I be more specific.  Personally, since the size of each file is about a 3rd of most other parishes, it's self evident what the issue is.  They're not magnified as much and if you increase the magnification within IE they go very blurry ....  Other than that I'm quite happy with the service, indexes are all OK but only as good as the person transcribing them ... and I have a lot of ancestors floating around the county and not necessarily where you'd expect them.   I have the same issue in London and still can't find a lot of people with the help of the indexes.

I'd agree with Dawn, I don't think you'll find Essex PRs ending up on ancestry or FindMyPast.

[andycand]

Hi Coombs,

Whilst as you mention it would be easier to search Essex PRs if they were on Ancestry, unless you have other reasons to need Ancestry it would be a costly exercise.  I have just been quoted an Ancestry renewal figure of 170 (plus) UK pounds for the type of subscription which gives access to the various PRs, whereas a one year sub to Essex Ancestors is only 75 pounds.

Regards. 

You will find the best option is to subscribe through Ancestry.co.uk and not through Ancestry.au This is to do with the exchange rate between the  Australian Dollar and British Pound. If you want access to Australian records as well as UK then take out a worldwide subscription through Ancestry UK for 155.40 GBP which is about 230.00 Australian Dollars. In fact when I last renewed it was even cheaper as they then deducted VAT that is charged in the UK.
You may need to take out a new subscription with different Login etc and cancel the old one. This may present a problem if you have a tree on Ancestry.

Andy



Andy

[Diblet]

I agree findem.

Why on earth should the ERO fund and do all the hard work only to have a huge company like ancestry steal it all away?

Keep it "in house" and at £75 a year I still think it's very good value.

 

[coombs]

Freereg is indexing some Essex PRs anyway and some parishes my ancestors lived in.

Ancestry do like to take shortcuts I agree.

[findem]

Hi andycand,

Thanks for tip I'll look into that option, at the moment I'm trying to assess whether I really need Ancestry any more.

If Ancestry had the later years PRs for West Ham and other Essex parishes which are now part of Greater London I might be tempted for the sake of my wife's tree.

Hi Diblet,

You've hit the nail square on the head, the ERO would be mad to let Ancestry share the fruits of their labours, also those people of limited means can afford to research Essex Ancestors whilst it's under ERO control, whereas they might baulk at paying the cost of Ancestry subs for the type of service which gives access to PRs.

Regards.

[andreabro]

Hi
if  you  register to Top Cashback,you  get  25%  cash back  on a  subscription  for  ancestry.  Topcashback gives discounts  for  other Genealogy sites  too.

Ps   I,m nothing  to  do  with  Top cashback  I  just  use  it  alot  for   subscriptons.

[findem]

Hi andreabro,

Thanks for the tip, looks very interesting, haven't heard of Top cashback before so I'll have a look at it.

Regards.

[andreabro]

I   got  £300 back last  year, Dont  buy online  without  checking  the  site  first.