Ancestry.....what are they up to now

[macwil]

I have also had poor results in searches, often 'no results' being returned until I have backed all the criteria off by up to three steps. if I then narrow the criteria the results are curtailed and in some cases I can narrow them down to my original settings and the results I was looking for are usually there.

However in some cases I have taken to going direct to the categories and locating the one I want and then browsing that, but I'm not sure that all the categories are appearing, I seem to find more if I do a second search of the catelogue. The 'Return to search results' button hasn't worked for me for weeks, I have to use the browser 'back button' or Alt + ←.
It's crazy and frustrating.
My cut-rate subscription expires towards the end of May and I'll be charged the full rate if I continue.
Extremely unlikely at the moment!!

Forgot to mention that after logging in the default search is 'BMD and Parish Records' not 'All Categories' which is what used to happen. And is the one I usually want/need. clicking on 'All Categories under the search criteria doesn't bring up the whole list to get that I have to click on 'Search' in the tool bar.

As I said it is frustrating and at times extremely annoying. They are not doing themselves any favours at the moment.

[ThrelfallYorky]

Is it "Ancestry" DNA results that are credited with trapping some American ex-policeman who seems to have had a penchant for murder and other crimes? There was something about it all on a radio news, but I was only half-listening...

[davidft]

Is it "Ancestry" DNA results that are credited with trapping some American ex-policeman who seems to have had a penchant for murder and other crimes? There was something about it all on a radio news, but I was only half-listening...

No it was Gedmatch. There is more here including links

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=792445.9

It was not Gedmatch's fault

[ThrelfallYorky]

Ah, interesting to know. Thank you, davidft.

[andrewalston]

Ancestry are overloaded at present, with lots of errors reported.

Their recommended search method doesn't help. They suggest starting with "Every Record We Have", than applying filter after filter to narrow down the results. All these transactions take time for us, and a large amount of resource on the servers.

The "old-fashioned" search method, where you decide what dataset is likely to contain what you are looking for, and you just search that, IS still available. The "Card Catalogue" on the Search menu is the place to start.

Many years ago I used "Customise your homepage" on the front page to add links to the relevant Census datasets. That way I can go straight to the relevant search page.

Note that the search forms for individual datasets are more closely allied to the contents than is the "Every Record" form. You are likely to be able to fill in better search terms and get results quicker.

[Jay9]

I have noticed for the last few days search results are rather strange, also I have noticed on Public Family tree results my name shows up in full for a tree that has my parents, as their child, I thought they were not supposed to show names of the living, when I enter the tree my name does not show, but it does in the index results. I tried a few other searches in the Public Trees and have noticed quite a few names of the living are showing up as the child of the deceased parents. My sisters full name shows up ( she is alive) on a tree that has her deceased husband. I have checked again today and I still seeing the same details.

Jan

[andrewalston]

..on Public Family tree results my name shows up in full for a tree that has my parents, as their child..

If you have been specifically given rights by the tree owner, you SHOULD be able to see the living people. In this case you should also see the tree listed under the Trees menu.

[Jay9]

No I have no rights on that tree. My name is showing up in search results  as the child of the deceased couple, this never use to happen, if I go to into the tree my name does not show which is how it should be. I thought that no names of the living should show up in search results for family trees on Ancestry.

Jan

[sdbadger]

You're absolutely correct, Jay; living people should not be listed in trees.

I called and complained more than two weeks ago. The agent mirrored my search and completely agreed the site is totally messed up.

I've called two more times for additional problems and asked to speak to a supervisor. After holding more than 20 minutes both times, gave up and hung up.

They need to publicly address what's going on and what they're doing to correct it. And offer extensions for the time the site is down.