FAO: Swindon Local Studies and Family History

[neolithic]

find my past ok but it goes the long way round in searching, and don't give the mother's name !, then the swindon libraries dont pay full inscriptions for ancestry . or at the wiltshire and swindon history centre. i'm more for ancestry. even thoe im not keen on that.

[Local Studies, Swindon Libraries]

find my past ok but it goes the long way round in searching, and don't give the mother's name !, then the swindon libraries dont pay full inscriptions for ancestry . or at the wiltshire and swindon history centre. i'm more for ancestry. even thoe im not keen on that.

Hello neolithic,
Thank you for your thoughts.
We're not sure what you mean about the mother's name. I actually prefer the search engine on FindMyPast - but there are differences. We have a full subscription to FindMyPast free for the public to use but our subscription to Ancestry is a one-off staff only account.

[james05]

sorry to see you still have a subscription for FindMyPast and not reverted back to ancestry.  I suppose there is always next year to hope for.
jim

[youngtug]

Although Ancestry may have more records I'm afraid that the version that was available at Swindon Library was so painfully slow that it was on numerous occasions unusable. I am happy to have FREE access to FindMyPast with the option to ask the staff to look for anything that is only available on Ancestry.

[Local Studies, Swindon Libraries]

Hello james05,

Yes, we did stick with FindMyPast. It is a tough choice: we know that advanced researchers and experienced genealogists often prefer the range of resources and datasets on Ancestry, but we had to factor in other issues:
1. How well a service runs on our public & staff PC network. FindMyPast - with some blips - copes much better.
2. How well new users, beginners and those with limited IT skills are able to navigate the site. Again, in our experience we felt FindMyPast is more useful here too.

Most of those who ask us to switch are deep into their research and wanted access to particular records, which is arguably not the main reason we would subscribe. We use these resources to aid and extend our service, rather than just save people subscribing themselves (but it's nice when that also happens!).

Don't forget, we also provide free access to The Times Digital, British 19th Century Newspapers, London Illustrated News, Newsvault and many other useful resources (http://www.swindon.gov.uk/lc/lc-libraries/lc-libraries-internet/Pages/lc-libraries-internet-onlinereferenceresources.aspx).  Most of these can be used at home for free with a Swindon Library membership card.

Best wishes,
Swindon Collection
Swindon Libraries

[james05]

thanks for the reply swindon local, unfortunately the times digital etc does not give the records that I would of been interested in from ancestry.  as I have not been researching long I always felt that ancestry was an easier option to work around than FindMyPast.

I think that there are a fair few people that prefer FREE ancestry and looking at this thread it seems to be the case, certainly talking to customers in the library that was their view also.  the staff are not able to look on ancestry in all libraries  so it isn't just a case of asking them to look for anything on ancestry. here's hoping things can change later.

[LizzieW]

James - Why don't you take out a subscription to Ancestry, then you'll have the best of both worlds.  Ancestry at home, FindMyPast at the library.

I think lots of people say they prefer Ancestry because that is what they know and what is advertised on TV etc.  Personally, I prefer FindMyPast, although I use Ancestry for some parish records that are not yet available on FindMyPast.

Lizzie

[Local Studies, Swindon Libraries]

james05, thanks for the reply.
We know that people have mixed views on this, our point is that we need these sites to be a tool to deliver our service and FindMyPast works best at present.

We mentioned The Times Digital etc as we know that people often are unaware we have subscriptions to them. They can be extremely useful and open up new avenues and leads.

It's worth remembering that those who do their family history research entirely online are really missing out. For instance, we hold microfilm of all local newspapers: if you have any Swindon area family then I would strongly recommend to come in and search for obituaries and funeral announcements in the Evening Advertiser or North Wilts Herald. If you strike it lucky these can supply masses of new information. There are many other resources in our collection that you will not get through either FindMyPast or Ancestry - and the same applies to all Local Studies libraries and Archives. It is always about the nooks and crannies!

You are correct - it is only staff at Central Library in our team who have access to Ancestry Library Edition. If you ever pop in, please come and say "hi" and ask for a mini-tour of what we have - we will be very happy to show you around.

If people are unable to get here you can always contact us by telephone: 01793 463238, or email: localstudies@swindon.gov.uk

Thanks
Swindon Collection
Swindon Libraries

[james05]

If people are unable to get here you can always contact us by telephone: 01793 463238, or email: localstudies@swindon.gov.uk

Thanks
Swindon Collection
Swindon Libraries

Back when I first ‘tinkered’ with family history it wasn’t online at all, it was all done at record offices or in London.  I have no family from the Swindon area so coming in would be of no help to me unfortunately.   I have been in the library many a time, after waiting so long for it, it finally arrived.
 
Good advert for yourselves though.

I will keep looking online next year to see if in the future whether ancestry have upped their game and presented a better package to you.