Best subscriber site?

[Len of the Chilterns]

Now that I am running out of steam, OH has caught the genealogy virus and is getting into researching her family. In the past I have subscribed to various sites such as Ancestry, Genealogical Society, 1837 online, Findmypast etc but no longer do so. Would like to give her a subscription to a suitable site that would give her access to censuses, BMD etc. Anyone know which would be the best for her, most reliable and, dare I say it, most reasonable in terms of cash?

[kiterunner]

If you just want the censuses and BMD's then findmypast's "Foundation" subscription, which includes the 1911 census, is £49.95 for 6 months or £79.95 for a year at the moment.

Ancestry hasn't got a full index to the 1911 census yet (although it does have the images but not easy to find the right one!) Their "Essentials" membership is £83.40 for a year at the moment. It includes transcripts of the Scottish censuses (except for 1911), which aren't on findmypast.

So it looks as though findmypast is better value at the moment if you just want the censuses and BMD, unless your OH has some Scottish ancestors in which case ancestry might be better, except for the fact that it's hard to find the 1911 census pages on there till they provide the index.

[Len of the Chilterns]

Thank you, KiteRunner. I should think Findmypast annual sub sounds the best for her. So far as we know all her ancestors come from Somerset. At least that one is less expensive than some and will do to get her genealogical teeth into.

[Mary from Italy]

I have both, and dislike the FMP search interface intensely, so I don't use it much.

You could always buy her a copy of FTM with 3 or 6 months' free Ancestry access. Ancestry doesn't have the indexed 1911 census yet, though, only the summary book and unindexed images.

[Kit]

I'm with Mary, I hate FMP's search facility.

Len both sites have a 14 day free trial. Let your wife take the freebie on each site and see which is better for her.

[Jenoco]

I think it depends what you're used to. I use FMP at home and Ancestry at the library. Agree with Toni, it might be a good idea to make use of the free trials to find out which one suits best.

[Phoenix]

Have to say that I loathe Ancestry with a passion. As an occasional user, I can never generate the results I want and using it at the TNA it is incredibly slow.

Its search engine is more sophisticated than FMP, but I am more likely to find the correct results more easily with FMP.

It really depends on whether your OH will let you help her if she doesn't get the results she expects.

[Mary from Italy]

Have to say that I loathe Ancestry with a passion. As an occasional user, I can never generate the results I want and using it at the TNA it is incredibly slow.


You're probably using the new search, which is useless. You need to use the old one.

[Phoenix]

Oh, I agree. But Library editions usually use the new search and I assume any new subscriber will launch with the new search.

My ideal solution for censuses is to have a guest login for Ancestry, which you can then set up however you like it, but subscribe to fmp.

I haven't worked out whether fmp has a smart algorithm underlying their searches, so that though you searched for John Smith b 1862 in the 1871 census, the fact that the one you looked at happened to be born in Salford brings those born in Salford towards the top of the list for 1881 searches, or if it's just coincidence, but I do find it relatively easy to spot the correct one, even when searching on minimal parameters.

[Merry]

Len, Find My Past is the new name for 1837online (just in case you go looking for 1837online!)

I think if it's mainly Somerset records you are after, FMP has the best deal at the moment (see Kate's post #2). Their transcriptions are generally better than Ancestry's though their search engine leaves quite a lot to be desired, in my humble opinion.

Is your wife a member of GF?!!

[tenterfieldjulie]

Len there are some Somerset parish records that have been privately transcribed and are free. I have found quite a few of mine by googling the name of the parish with the word registers or records.

[Len of the Chilterns]

Thank you all. It is a case of "between the devil and the deep blue sea". Think I will heed Toni's advice and suggest she has a trial period with each.

[Kit]

Oh, I agree. But Library editions usually use the new search and I assume any new subscriber will launch with the new search.

My ideal solution for censuses is to have a guest login for Ancestry, which you can then set up however you like it, but subscribe to fmp.

The old search is still there, we can give you the link. To me ancestry has more details in the results pages so it is easier to find who you want.

Len there are some Somerset parish records that have been privately transcribed and are free. I have found quite a few of mine by googling the name of the parish with the word registers or records.

What parts of Somerset Len? Your wife might be better off trying the transcriptions for Somerset first then taking a free trial to fill in holes or go further back. There are some very good sites.

http://www.pbenyon1.plus.com/PR_Index.html

http://www.wsom.org.uk/Parreg.html

http://www.paulhyb.homecall.co.uk/

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/ian.sage/Nailsea/nailsea.html

Somerset OPC's (http://wsom-opc.org.uk/index.php?id=36)

http://www.parkhouse.org.uk/transcr/tcontent.htm

http://www.westcountrygenealogy.com/somerset/

[Jenoco]

As well as the links from Toni, FreeREG also has good coverage of Somerset - I've found it very helpful.

I too wish the old Ancestry search was available on the Library edition - really dislike the new one.

[Kit]

isn't there a link to go to the old search?