Ancestry - Free Access to all UK records 24-26th December

[smudwhisk]

Yes, the LDS centres are reducing their hours and availability, even here in Australia. The last time I went to my usual one, I was told I had to tell them in advance I was coming to look at the film I'd ordered in, as they might not open otherwise. Most nights I went there i was the only one in there.
A sadly under-utilised resource.

Unfortunately the price hike about 3 or 4 years ago didn't help things.   I gather they now charge 7.50 in most countries, trouble is that £7.50 is far more expensive than US$7.50 or AU$7.50 (and I believe most of the Australian films are sent from Salt Lake City), so not surprisingly the attendance in many centres dropped.  Previously in the UK it had been £2.20 for one month and £1.40 for an extension including indefinite loan, now its £7.50 for 2 months and c.£18 for indefinite loan.   I know they hadn't increased the prices for some years but it really was a large increase.  Originally you got 3 months for £7.50 but now they control the return dates more strictly and while it says 3 months that includes apparently a month for the film to arrive from Germany as they shut the distribution centre in Garrets Green, Birmingham a few years ago and moved all the films to Germany.  They haven't really helped themselves.

[pinefamily]

Here it's $7.50 for one month, although in the past "month" was a little flexible if they didn't have other films to send back.
A lot of films are held in Sydney, but sometimes I have had to wait longer for one to be copied and sent from Salt Lake City.
Cost aside, I used to love the atmosphere of looking at the microfilms, listening to the chat of other researchers. I actually learned a lot going there.

[smudwhisk]

Ouch $7.50 for one month is probably more expensive than in the UK then.   I agree it could be interesting talking to other researchers but I know post price hike I often was the only person attending on some days.  I'd not been to the centre for over 2 years until last Wednesday week and was surprised it was quite busy even though it was the run up to Christmas, so I think perhaps some are busier than others.

[Rosinish]

I noticed that over the years, as genealogy programmes became "Big" on tv, a lot of freebies/cheapies suddenly became expensive..................amazing what greed does!!!

[pinefamily]

I plan my $7.50 investments carefully, and I wouldn't have been as successful in my research without the LDS microfilms.
Yes, the ancestry ads become more prevalent during seasons of Who Do You Think You Are? What I find annoying is when they advertise the little leaf tips; we all know how "accurate" they can be. They also give the impression that you can research your family tree with them, which is a little misleading.

[bugbear]

Can I suggest to the MODS an "special subscription offer" sticky thread?

I missed the recent £10 FindMyPast offer, and am not happy!

 BugBear

[Rosinish]

Has anyone noticed that certain things which used to be free to view on ancestry as long as you had a membership are now being charged a seperate fee outwith ancestry???

[smudwhisk]

Has anyone noticed that certain things which used to be free to view on ancestry as long as you had a membership are now being charged a seperate fee outwith ancestry???

Such as public trees and sending messages?  I gather they stopped being free about the time they shutdown Mundia, although I'm happy to stand corrected.

[smudwhisk]

I missed the recent £10 FindMyPast offer, and am not happy!

 BugBar

Considering all the £10 annual subs were revoked because it was an error, you've not missed anything there.  They currently have a half price sub offer which has been mentioned on RC.