Find My Past Subscription

[BushInn1746]

Very slightly off topic but I think we have to remember that genealogy is a hobby and if you want to do it properly you can’t expect to do it for free or on the cheap. I’m afraid I get a bit cross when people say they can’t afford to pay for subscriptions or certificates, ...

Hi

Getting the correct GRO Certificate or Parish Copies is really a must (unless you have the originals) to check that the parentage and relations actually match up, to your research, plus any snippets of hidden / previously unknown information, along with obtaining the Census pages too and other associated documents.

I'm back 200 years (with a 1785-87 birth, calculated from ages in documents) and we must go and see more document types identified, as only in archives, as possible sources (no guarantee), if I wish to make a definite link to one of two possible earlier lines, or make any link backward.

Mark

[SwissGill]

Hello

I have had a full FindMyPast subscription and Ancestry full lsubscription for years.

I haven't read their new subscription offers properly because I have had trouble for months now in viewing US newspapers. I have been able to download them (which is anyway better for me) but since one week I haven't been able to do this. I complained about the "non-viewing issue" months ago but it still isn't functioning and now that I am unable to download the newspapers I have written to them to the effect that I will not be renewing my subscription.

The USA newspapers are of considerable value to me.

Ancestry also has Newspaper.com which I have used before, so most likely FindMyPast and I will be parting company.

I feel cheated!!

Regards,
Gill

[SwissGill]

 A prompt repy from FindMyPast:


"Email from the Findmypast Support Team

We will respond to your query as quickly as possible. Our Customer Support working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and we aim to deal with all queries within one working day.

In the meantime, we have provided some useful links which you may find interesting.

A guide to getting started with Findmypast: http://www.findmypast.co.uk/content/getting-started

Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.findmypast.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions

Exploring your UK Ancestors - See our getting started Video Library at http://bit.do/findmypast_getting_started_in_UK

Kind Regards,

Findmypast Support Team"

No comment
regards
Gill
 
 

[groom]

Looks like a standard reply doesn't it, probably triggered automatically when they receive an email!

[SwissGill]

Looks like it to me, too.

I am eagerly awaiting their explanation

[SwissGill]

I received a very polite message from a lady called Joanna asking me to tell her which newspapers I couldn't download. As I don't make a list of download failures, I was unable to answer.

I also stated that I have never been able to just "view" the newspaper without downloading. I have complained about this, too but, years later, it is still so.

I sent her the following text which has appeared on my screen 2-3 time in the last two weeks:

We're down for maintenance
Please accept our apologies. We're undertaking some essential maintenance.
Sorry if this causes you any inconvenience - we'll get the site up and running again very soon.
Thank you for your patience.
Findmypast

I am afraid my patience is running out!!

Regards
Gill

[AngelFish]

For anyone who can't see the new subscription details but wants to, here are some screen grabs:

[AngelFish]

cont...

[steadyrollingman]

I've only just spotted this conversation/topic, and won't have time to check all the responses, but I just wanted to point out that it is possible to take out a separate subscription to the British Newspaper Archives - not sure how the subscription rates compare though sorry

To further point out re the BNA, if you go via Quidco you can get 70% cash back on a one-month sub. I did this a year ago, searched intensively for everything I could think of, then cancelled. Probably cost me £5 - yet some of the stuff I uncovered was absolutely priceless...