GRONI records to On-line November 2013

[scotmum]

I have written to GRONI too suggesting that they need to start responding publicly with more information than is currently available, and perhaps explain some of the mysterious limitations. If you can search for 160 years at a time on Scotlandspeople, why is it only 5 on GRONI? They need to look at the wildcard options and explain them better. And so on. If people feed back their individual frustrations (and compliments where appropriate) in sufficient numbers perhaps they may respond, and take some action.

Think many of us are singing from the same hymn sheet. Here is part of what I said to them in emails last week:

I fully appreciate the early days of any new service can be fraught with glitches and problems, and that behind the scenes folks are no doubt working hard to resolve same. I would respectfully comment, however, the strong need to respond to emails in a timely fashion and/or (if it is an issue affecting numerous customers) keep customers aware of progress and expected outcome and/or resolution by means of a message on the website. Not responding to some customers emails on the subject whilst responding to other customers emails on the same subject, is not good PR. After all,  it is important to instill confidence in a new service that will mean even at times in the future when there are glitches (and there no doubt will be), the customer can be sure that matters are in hand and have confidence that full service will be resumed in early course.

and

I don't deny that I find it has a number of issues that do not compare favourably with search methods/customer interface/accessibility/storage/etc incorporated in similar sites elsewhere, however it does have the unique selling point in its favour that the records it provides are not easily accessible otherwise - that in itself will mean it still gets plenty of custom, issues or otherwise.

Hopefully, though, it will become obvious, especially as more and more customers register and provide feedback, that changes might be needed. Ultimately, this is no bad thing, as constructive feedback can serve to highlight potential shortcomings and/or good points too and help a service provider who is open to receiving both praise and/or criticism, look towards embracing and implementing,  ideas and suggestions that might ultimately improve the service for all involved.

[scotmum]

At least their 'Report Amendment' form seems to be working again, just used it to report another two (well, one if you take into account the births were twins)  mis-transcripts.   

[Sinann]

The five year search is fixed by 40 year old legislation according to the report on the launch of the service here http://irish-genealogy-news.blogspot.co.uk

[scotmum]

The five year search is fixed by 40 year old legislation according to the report on the launch of the service here http://irish-genealogy-news.blogspot.co.uk

Pity they didn't think to get it altered in 2011, given that, I believe, the digitising of records and setting up of an online service was already in the pipeline at the time, when they updated various other issues from the Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 and Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 in the Civil Registration Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

[Elwyn Soutter]

The five year search is fixed by 40 year old legislation according to the report on the launch of the service here http://irish-genealogy-news.blogspot.co.uk

But when you go in person and search on GRONI's in-house system you can search for 11 years at a time. So I wonder how that reconciles with this statement? Sounds like round objects to me.

[scotmum]

 

Although I feel more like  as I've now had to send a further three 'amendment requests' this evening, in addition to the one I posted about earlier. 

Would love to know how many family history research addicts folks with a love of genealogy research, Beta tested the website and also what quality checks they applied to the new indexing.

[fadge36]

I have been reading through many of the posts on this thread and with one or to exceptions eg 'chrispaton' most have been about problems or complaints.
In the 10 days or so that GRONI has been online I have downloaded and printed off  so much information that I now need to pause and spend time putting it into my family tree programme.
So far I have only bought 75 credits and have 35 still in my account! I think this is the best thing that has happened for family historians in NI for a long time.
Most info.I have found by using simply a surname and a 5 year age bracket search and the majority at NO Cost.
'chrispaton' has been most positive and I note he simply saves all the certificates and info to his computer so there is no need to refer to 'stored searches'. Once they are saved, they are saved!
In my case I just press 'PrintScreen' and it is saved to my photo programme. I can later crop and print off the pages or certificates. So I dont have to worry how long it stays in my stored searches.
I think of the couple of occasions I visited GRO in Belfast. £12 for sitting all day trying to find stuff till I was dizzy and getting 3 views of the records! I know what I would rather do.
The web site is far from perfect but for me its a pleasure to sit at home and research my geneology at my leisure.
fadge
 

[gaffy]

I agree that some of the comments posted here don't accurately reflect the 'balance' of what has happened.

That 'balance' is that we are definitely better off from having the online facility. Not worse off.

However, I do think there are aspects of the new online facility that GRONI could have done better (for example, the availability of wildcards), which are worth airing here and feeding back to GRONI. 

[fadge36]

Gaffy.
Just trying to add a little weight to the positive side an express my appreciation for the new service. But of course GRONI can do better and I hope they will take on board the views expressed here.
fadge