The new Findmypast (Part 1)

[LizzieL]

I had FindMyPast bookmarked and "keep me logged in" checked. But now my bookmark takes me to the new version and I'm not logged in anymore. When I try and log in, I always get a message saying "Internet explorer cannot display this page". I have emailed FindMyPast support a few days ago - but no response from them. I use IE 9. I know there are newer versions available and I have looked into upgrading but find they're not compatible with Windows Vista. So now I am stuck paying a subscription for a service I can't use and not able to log in and stop my subscription from being automatically renewed.

[groom]

I had FindMyPast bookmarked and "keep me logged in" checked. But now my bookmark takes me to the new version and I'm not logged in anymore. When I try and log in, I always get a message saying "Internet explorer cannot display this page". I have emailed FindMyPast support a few days ago - but no response from them. I use IE 9. I know there are newer versions available and I have looked into upgrading but find they're not compatible with Windows Vista. So now I am stuck paying a subscription for a service I can't use and not able to log in and stop my subscription from being automatically renewed.

Why not just download another browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, and use that to log in to FindMyPast? You can have as many different browsers as you like on the computer.

[alunno-a]

LizzieL.....

That is exactly the problem I have, or so it appears. For some reason my Vista set up has real problems with Chrome and Firefox too- so that is not an option. But anyway it is not the point- why change the site so some can't use their subscription, without any forwarning or advice, and no response when you contact them??

[locksmith]

In addition, because my person could not be found in the 1891 census, I tried to search for the 1881 address in 1891 (something I could do on the old format) to see who was living there and whether it was my person. However, that facility also seems to have been removed as I could not do it. There is a box for an address but I think that is assuming you have already entered a name but if I tried to search the address without a name, I couldn't get it to work.

Regards Eliza.

Eliza,

You are able to put in an address without a name. Getting it to work as you want is an entirely different matter.

Did you just try to type an address into the 'Street name' box? Just typing the name in doesn't work as it only allows you to select the preset set of street names/roadnames etc as a filter. You have to select 'Browse street' and then after starting to type the name of your street/road etc and after some scrolling through names you don't want, you may find the one you do want. Once selected it does give you all the names of everyone in the street of that name. You have to set filters for Town name or city name in the other boxes, again using the same method to narrow it down, but getting it down to house number seems impossible.

Apart from being a tedious way of setting up the search form, the major flaw is that you have to know the exact way that the names were entered by the enumerator. Was it Street or St, Crescent or Cres etc.  It's the same for all the filters.

Try it and start tearing you hair out.

Simon (now bald)

[LizzieW]

I've just tried to find someone on a census, who I know is listed, but after a couple of goes, I just gave up and went to Ancestry.  I put in the same info, name and year of birth and Ancestry came up with 1851, 1861 and 1871 census listings, as well as many others for people with the same name but my man was listed first.

I have unticked auto renew and unless things alter drastically, I certainly am leaving FindMyPast.  Very sad, as I always found it the better site to use.

[suey]

I've just e.mailed FindMyPast asking if they will consider not automatically 'migrating' over those members who are still using the old format at least until the problems and concerns of those members who have been are resolved.  Lets see if we get a reply.

Suey

[Elizajb]

Thanks for the pointers Locksmith, I've had a go and could not find the family I want, but don't really know if that's because they just weren't there or because of the new FindMyPast.

You are right, it's a very tedious method of trying to find something compared to the old method.

It is very hard to understand why FindMyPast would expose itself to the wrath of its customers by switching to the new format before it is foolproof and also put itself in the position of encouraging people to switch to Ancestry or not renew their subs.

It's not too often that one finds such a shambles made of something which was in essence, although it still had its glitches, a very useful site. The glitches in the old site I could live with, but the new one is  a maze which is hard to navigate.

Regards Eliza.

[Mike in Cumbria]

My annual subscription expires on 13th April so I chose to migrate to the new site to check it out and I'm so glad that I did. There's no way I'm renewing my subs - the new site is a complete disaster area.

[Gadget]

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

I've just had an e-mail welcoming me to the new FindMyPast - dare I click on my quick link.

Is it an early April fool, I ask