Spending your money on Family research - where are those bargains?

[miss marple]

Getting back to the original question – I've found my Ancestry.com subscription well worth the money. I don't think I'd have got very far without it.

And if anyone's looking for Family Tree software for a Mac, Reunion 8 is excellent (just as well – there's not much else available!)

Jane

[the happy granny]

I've always found Ancestry good too.

What annoys me about 1837 online is that if you lose your credits they are not saved until you pay for more...........you lose them completely.I lost 33 credits yesterday as I thought they expired tomorrow.....I could have done some lookups for other people.I know it's my own fault but they will not be saved when I pay again.

With Scotlands people I can use the credits I have "lost" next time I buy some more..............and I can always see what I have researched before and photo copy entries again without charge.They are saved for me.I don't mind "losing" my credits as I know I will get them back.........if you see what I mean.
Sue

[Kennington]

I would like to add my vote for ancestry. I am on the site every day and I could browse for hours ( but my work keeps getting in the  way )

It also took me a long time to get used to 1837 online, and I only use it if I am sure of narrow parameters of date (did I spell that right ?)

I also love FreeBMD but my searches often fall into the gaps they still have. (Keep up the good work guys)

I have to add that without my computer, I would never have started on this family history search.

 :)Mary

[Guy Etchells]

Reading AmyK's suggestion of the GRO putting people in touch with each other - I don't see the Government doing anything that cost them money and didn't make them a huge profit so I don't think that would work somehow!

What did interest me however was DebPat's suggestion about copy certificates:

Hi, I would like to say that i am sure that for reasearch that a photocopy or emailed scan of BMD certs. would be fine for most folks? Am i wrong? After all what we want is a piece of paper with the info on?!! Does it matter if it is a copy of a copy?

in which case what we need is a cert swap shop?! Where we can list ALL the certs we hold and allow peeps to order a copy of them from us!? That would cut out the middle man! No Payment involved of course! D x

I wonder whether anybody has thought to start a new Board for these "Copy Certificates" as opposed to "Unwanted" ones.  Does anybody else think it would be a good idea, I'd be willing to share copies of those which I have since by doing so I'd be likely to be meeting a relative if they asked for it.

Mary

Such a board would be illegal as copied certificates would be in breach of the copyright on them
Cheers
Guy

[smeghead]

It can be a very expensive buisness With Ancestry i pay for 3 months then leave it for 3 months  until new bits uploaded to site i 1837 is a waste of money, GenesReunited is good value at £7 Family relatives could be better but  expensive search  One of these sites could  be accessed for free but think they have changed loop hole Last Year i Spent over £200 on family Research
a lot cheaper than palying golf

                                                         Jim

[Guy Etchells]

It can be a very expensive buisness With Ancestry i pay for 3 months then leave it for 3 months until new bits uploaded to site i 1837 is a waste of money, GenesReunited is good value at £7 Family relatives could be better but expensive search One of these sites could be accessed for free but think they have changed loop hole Last Year i Spent over £200 on family Research
a lot cheaper than palying golf

 Jim

It seems that forum members do not take advantage of the ability to access the Ancestry site from Family History Centres and some libraries, true one loses the convenience of home access but it is free.
Cheers
Guy

[Paul E]

I find Ancestry good value for money, especially for the 12 months subscription.  For a little over £1 a week, it provides great entertainment (as well, of course, as supporting more serious endeavours!).

I was surprised when the 1861 census suddenly 'appeared' on Ancestry, without any great fanfare.  You'd think they'd trumpet it a little more.  My subscription is due in October, but one of the FH magazines has a 20% discount card valid until September, so I'm going to cancel my old subscription and join again (early) as it will represent a saving.

I'm hoping they'll sneak 1851 and 1841 on (as they've promised) sometime before the end of the year.

Paul

[newbie]

Paul, which magazine has the discount card, might be worth doing the same as you?
and where did you hear about 1851 and 1841? whhooo I can't wait!
Newbie
ps I think Ancestry is good value too.

[sharren1837]

hi Newbie,

which magazine has the discount card,

Your Family Tree, the 20% offer is valid until 15 Sept 2005 on either a quarterly or annual subscription.

Hope this helps,

Sharren