Ancestry vs FindMyPast

[Marmalady]

I think you can get half-price on a WORLD subscription by quoting the code WDYTYA50

Steve

Thank you -- that has worked

[Caw1]

Glad you were able to sort out a sub to FindMyPast at a decent rate.
Like others mentioned I have worldwide sub to both and The Genealogist. It's good to compare info as there can be transcription errors making it hard to find who you're looking for on some sites.
If you're not a member of Lost Cousins do give them a try. It's pretty self explanatory and you will get a newsletter via email once a fortnight with lots of info. It's free to receive you just need to register with them.
Good luck with your research.
CAW1

[anpefa1]

ancestry and FindMyPast can and do contain major transcription errors (names, dates, etc) Ancestry etc  adverts are very misleading "type in a name and all will be revealed" simply leads one to an subscription service.

if one is lucky enough to be able to access the archives in London most of the National Archives documented information is free to access. rootschat is the best alternative forum for those who do not have access otherwise. Tony 

[StevieSteve]

That almost sounds like "Type in a Rootschat request and your family tree will be revealed"

Being a virtual newcomer to this, I have the utmost respect for those who carried out this hobby pre-internet searching as from what I've read, it looks as though it was incredibly difficult and for many scenarios, virtually impossible.

So, I think that access to Ancestry/FindMyPast or whoever is a prerequisite for the hobby, and I would guess that anyone not prepared to make the effort to do so because of the potential transcription errors, would use up members' goodwill fairly quickly

[hsfam]

Talking about subscription discounts, just got the latest The National Archives newsletter and it mentions a 1 month discount for £1 for FindMyPast:

"Later this year Findmypast - in association with The National Archives - is publishing the 1939 Register for the first time. This register bridges the gap in Census records caused by the Second World War.

While work is underway to bring online access to the Register, Findmypast are offering our readers a one month World subscription for just £1 (usual price £12.95). Visit Findmypast and quote code '1939TNA'. Terms and conditions apply. "

I'll put up a post on the main discussion list.

[anpefa1]

hello stevie,

if I may say so (in a friendly fashion) you've got the wrong end of the stick with your reply. the various archives, if, as I said, one is fortunate enough to access would be top of my list. given that FindMyPast and ANC etc. are subscription sites, newcomers to rootschat benefit from the experience of chatters, a lot of whom also have access to FindMyPast & ANC etc via their personal subscriptions, ergo without cost to the newcomer who can then, if they if they wish, turn to the subscription sites to further their research.

also, transcription and enumerator errors, phonetic name application, the rounding up or down of the age and ancestors giving an incorrect age for various reasons (including access to a pension) can baffle an inexperienced person.

as a starting point rootschat is one of the best free information sites that I was lucky enough came across when I was a green researcher. 

finally, I would not consider genealogy as a hobby as such as it is a serious pursuit of family history.

all the best

Tony 

[groom]

To add to Tony's comment, asking a question on Rootschat extends your knowledge, as not only will people find information, they will also point you in the direction of where to look for yourself, not only subscription sites but also the various free sites and other resources that you may not be aware of. I don't think a week goes by when I don't discover a new resource because it has been mentioned here.

[LizzieL]

I currently have subscriptions to both. FindMyPast is particularly useful for newspaper archives. I find ancestry better for wills and probate. For bmds, I use both about the same amount - depends on area of UK I'm searching. For censuses, I find the search on FindMyPast easier, but scrolling through images is easier on Ancestry. I also find that Ancestry scans are a bit brighter and clearer. As a test I downloaded the same scan of my great aunt and her husband's householder form from the 1911 census. The Ancestry version was 2Mb and the FindMyPast version was 0.5Mb. The Ancestry scan was brighter and with better contrast (and straighter!), although I expect the FindMyPast one could have been improved if I had photoshop or similar. Usually the image is clear enough without too much magnification, but the Ancestry one could be enlarged more without breaking up. The downside is that  the Ancestry one uses more of your internet download limit and needs more space to store unless you have a programme to compress it.