Cost of Ancestry for Australians

[merlinmagic]

Has anyone taken any notice on how much ancestry costs in Australia. It is lot more more than they pay in England. I am looking at world wide subs and the cost in $450, in England 155 pounds.

[andycand]

Hi

If you want a worldwide subscription then subscribe through the co.uk website and you will be charged the UK price in pounds, in fact it will be less than 155 pounds as that includes 20%? VAT which we don't pay.

Andy

[fastfusion]

they is all thieving  sods.....    

Australians however enjoy the privilige of their Libraries having ancestry within the computer areas of larger libraries.

but  when one pays a subscription  one expects all the records to be on the site not split up between FindMyPast and the tyranny of others......

[andycand]

they is all thieving  sods.....    

Australians however enjoy the privilige of their Libraries having ancestry within the computer areas of larger libraries.

but  when one pays a subscription  one expects all the records to be on the site not split up between FindMyPast and the tyranny of others......

I'm not sure what your issues are, if your local library doesn't subscribe to Ancestry then raise it with them, the libraries in Australia, England etc that have Ancestry access pay a subscription to do so. If you have a Latter Day Saints (Morman) Library near you they may have Ancestry access.

As far as records being split between sites is concerned then it is a matter of the commercial site entering into an agreement with the copyright holder of the relevant records and in many cases that becomes an exclusive agreement.

Andy

[merlinmagic]

 Thank you for your replies, if I have to go to my local library and lds church it would take me a couple of hours, even with booking you only get an hour. Some of us do live in the country you know.
 Several years ago another researcher joined ancestry uk, which was much cheaper, but a few years ago they moved to to the au site and she was charged almost double. Unfortunately she could not continue.
I don't think Ancestry are sods, but I think there should be parity on price of subscriptions.

[andycand]

Hi merlinmagic

I've been subscribing through the UK site for some years now, there are a number of reasons for the difference, firstly the exchange rate has changed dramatically over the last few years, it is not that long ago that 1 Australian dollar was worth 40 UK pence, now it is worth 64 UK pence, also we don't get charged VAT or GST, and then there is the traditional thought by overseas companies that Australians should pay more. But it is not just subscriptions, I've a book on its way from the UK, it is less than half the price than purchasing the same book here, and even if they started charging GST it wouldn't make much difference as it would stll be nearly twice as dear here.

Andy

[merlinmagic]

Hi Any

I am aware of the exchange rate, back in the 1980's it was on 32-4 cents to the Pound.
I want to join ancestry, but there is a cost disparity. I will join the UK one and see what happens.
Thanks  for your comments.  Merry Christmas,  Merlinmagic

[fastfusion]

"Issues"    nar not me....

the records of the public domain have long been the centre of debate.   The folk who went around microfilming them were trying to preserve them   that cost money  so one pays for use of the microfilms.   the buildings where the records are housed cost money to staff and maintain.....    the electronic age has come upon us and yes the archives are charging money for the licencing of reproduction....

me i am just a humble Wiltsaeta wanting to find my family like everyone else having to pay the usual costs    like everyone else.

being someone from UK living in Australia  I like everyone else whinge about costs,  and the variations between the pound and the dollar.... some years its fair rate and some years its not....

[bkr188]

Thank you for your replies, if I have to go to my local library and lds church it would take me a couple of hours, even with booking you only get an hour. Some of us do live in the country you know.
 Several years ago another researcher joined ancestry uk, which was much cheaper, but a few years ago they moved to to the au site and she was charged almost double. Unfortunately she could not continue.
I don't think Ancestry are sods, but I think there should be parity on price of subscriptions.

Hello,
If u r looking for material about Australian ancestors, the Aust. National Library has a good service, and you can search for free online.  I have never seen a Morman library in Australia.  Also, some local historical societies have access to English records and some states have their own genealogical societies to which u can subscribe and go to online ; much cheaper.  Not everyone understands the tyranny of distance within Australia and problems of access in the country. :oDare I say there r other online heritage sites besides Ancestry from which u may glean information.
bkr