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Topic: Advice on subscription sites (Read 849 times)
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David Fleming
RootsChat Extra
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Posts: 49
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Here's how it is. I am in the UK, researching mainly UK ancestory (with some in Eire).
I have very limited money - but I think the budget could run to maybe one subscription to a genealogy site.
Which one is "invaluable"?
David.
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« Last Edit: Wednesday 02 February 05 18:42 GMT (UK) by Copyright Editor »
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If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
Researching: Fleming, Crow(e), Williams, Mansell, Cook, Chamberlain, Butler, Crompton, Wooster, Shepherd, Benn, Hopkinson, Grant, Haddock, Brown, Hoe, Mulberry, Cadman, Boon, Bosworth
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Boongie Pam
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Posts: 2457
Lilian Palmer 1923 to 1987
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None. It's a trade off really, I think subscription sites only make things a bit quicker. Or of you have limited access to libraries etc.
The only sites I will pay for are...
1901 - pay per view so I'm in control and pay for what I get.
Scotlandspeople - fantastic, again pay per view but well indexed for OPRs and gives you the wonderful registrations for BMD which can sometimes open up 3 or generations on one page!
I think you are better off saving, going to London for 3 days stay at the Uni halls (in holiday time) for £28 per night and get all the census free at the FRC. You also get a cheap and cheerful Brick Lane curry thrown in - no subscription necerssary. 
Seriously though, after a year of research I've managed without subscribing anywhere but I do have a good library. If you can't get the St Catherine Fiche at the library then 1837online is good but badly indexed. I sink all the cash into certificates.
Good Luck and all the best,
Pam
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« Last Edit: Wednesday 16 June 04 12:55 BST (UK) by Boongie Pam »
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All census look up transcriptions are Crown Copyright~~~~~~~~~~~ Dumfrieshire: Fallen, Fallon, Carruthers, Scott, Farish, Aitchison, Green, Ryecroft, Thomson, Stewart Midlothian: Linn/d, Aitken, Martin North Wales: Robins(on), Hughes, Parry, Jones Cumberland: Lowther, Young, Steward, Miller Somerset: Palmer, Cork, Greedy, Clothier http://fallon.rootschat.net
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Sylviaann
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2588
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Go to your nearest LDS Family History centre. It#s very cheap to see films of census and parish registers and free for BMDs
Or your nearest main library will have BMDs for free.
The main cost is getting the certificates.
For 10 years I didn't subscribe to anything and now only pay as you go. Read the information on these message boards for the cheap and free sites.
Sylviaann
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Census information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukNorfolk: Gooch, Loveday, Lake, Betts Suffolk: Gooch, Crosby, Turner Hampshire: Laws, Burrows Kent: Beer Jersey: Barette, de Gruchy East London: Middleton, Gower, O'Farrell, Smith, Weston |
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Chris in 1066Land
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Posts: 5599
"Forever Searching, Forever Learning"
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Hi
I have been researching for 15 years, but did not join any pay sites untill I joined rootschat earlier this year - which was Ancestry.com for answering queries over these boards.
I have never used an LDS library, I prefer to spend a couple of days at the local records office (this is where having a trailer tent comes in handy) looking at the actual records without any 'transcription errors'
When I lasted visited Southwell Minster, I was allowed to look at the registers from 1850 onwards in the vestry of the church (they have retained all their registers) and lean upon the same table as my ancestors leaned on when they signed the registers.
I can tell you, its quite an experience looking at the same page my grt grandfather looked at, leaning where he did and observing his and gr grandmothers signatures in the marriage register - pages look so fresh they could have been signed yesterday - plus all the details were now in front of me - so no need to buy a certificate.
There was no charge for this, but I did put a larger than normal donation in the 'offerings box'
I can honestly say that you will never get these kind of feelings finding data on the internet or through filmed copies of the registers.
My advice is dont subscribe, pay as you go, and try to visit the area of your research.
Chris in 1066Land
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« Last Edit: Wednesday 16 June 04 17:38 BST (UK) by Chris in 1066Land »
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Boongie Pam
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Posts: 2457
Lilian Palmer 1923 to 1987
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Definitely agree with visiting areas. I went to Annan just for a mooch around and sat with a pie on the steps of the town hall. An old chap was there and I said hello got chatting and it turned out he went to school with my grandfather. He told me lots of stories my Grandad wouldn't have 'fessed up that's for sure.
I also got help from the wee local museum and the fabric shop! You just never know who can help. The local record offices have such specialised knowledge that they can be indespensable.
I apologies for anyone sitting 1000s of miles away growling at me!
Pam
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All census look up transcriptions are Crown Copyright~~~~~~~~~~~ Dumfrieshire: Fallen, Fallon, Carruthers, Scott, Farish, Aitchison, Green, Ryecroft, Thomson, Stewart Midlothian: Linn/d, Aitken, Martin North Wales: Robins(on), Hughes, Parry, Jones Cumberland: Lowther, Young, Steward, Miller Somerset: Palmer, Cork, Greedy, Clothier http://fallon.rootschat.net
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newbie
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Posts: 2064
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I found this thread really interesting, I have been thinking of joining up too but didn't know which one to choose, in the end I decided (like Pam to sink my funds into getting all the relevant certificates I thought were necessary. But having read posts from Chrisin 1066 land and others I have been convinced that going to the Record Office where your interest is, will be more satisfactory so I'm off to Glamorgan! I have used the GRO indexes at the Berkshire Record Office where the staff are very very helpful but nothing else so any tips much appreciated.
Newbie (still swimming )
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newbie
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Posts: 2064
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I joined the Glamorgan F.H.Society and on Saturday I finally got to visit the Aberkenfig Resource Centre - courtesy of my other half doing the driving!
Really helpful people who know the area well can give advice on where to look.
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« Last Edit: Saturday 27 October 07 18:04 BST (UK) by newbie »
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Floss
RootsChat Senior
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Posts: 269
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I joined Ancestry.co.uk. for a free two week trial and was impressed with how much info I managed to find. I spent a bit of time beforehand sorting out what I needed to find then spent as much time as possible on the site for the next two weeks. You have to give your credit card details to obtain the free trial but can cancel at anytime before the two weeks are up, had no problem cancelling either
Fiona
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Cutsforth - Hull Blades/Donson - Lincolnshire Forward - Hull/Lincolnshire/Polperro Fryman - Grimsby Seed - Dewsbury/Lincolnshire McIlduff - Portadown/Glasgow McIntosh - Aberdeen/Glasgow Census Information is Crown Copyright from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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madbadrob
Guest
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For fear of upsetting Pam again am gonna disagree with her. The subscription sites tend to have the information on them far quicker than the freebies. I myself would say Ancestry.co.uk without a doubt. 12 months ago it wasnt worth the 60 quid but now they have a hell of a lot more info and its all a click away. PLus we are talking the original scans not transcriptions. That said there is nothing wrong with the free ones either. As a semi pro I use both to good advantage. But all that said nothing beats getting into the CRO and viewing the originals 
rob
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Boongie Pam
Global Moderator
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2457
Lilian Palmer 1923 to 1987
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For fear of upsetting Pam again am gonna disagree with her. The subscription sites tend to have the information on them far quicker than the freebies.
Upset moi, nah you just agreed with me 
There's a lot of luck at the moment, none of my main areas appear on any subscription sites so they aren't any use to me. But when/if they become available then I would consider the subscription.
If http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ became a subscription service then I'd be in like a shot. In 1 year exactly I have spent £267 on viewed images and £130.60 on viewing searches.
Flipping 'eck I wish I hadn't worked that out....
Before subscribing just make sure the areas you are interested in are covered if more is coming in the future then maybe it is worth waiting to get the most out of your money.
Now, where is that credit card... and the scissors...
P
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All census look up transcriptions are Crown Copyright~~~~~~~~~~~ Dumfrieshire: Fallen, Fallon, Carruthers, Scott, Farish, Aitchison, Green, Ryecroft, Thomson, Stewart Midlothian: Linn/d, Aitken, Martin North Wales: Robins(on), Hughes, Parry, Jones Cumberland: Lowther, Young, Steward, Miller Somerset: Palmer, Cork, Greedy, Clothier http://fallon.rootschat.net
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newbie
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Posts: 2064
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Pam,
I've just discovered one of my gggrandmothers brothers was born in SCT Motherwell (think this is Scotland) from a census info, what info will I get from Scotsland people site and how much will it cost me?
Thanx
Newbie
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Boongie Pam
Global Moderator
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2457
Lilian Palmer 1923 to 1987
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Hi Newbie,
To get started you need to buy 30 credits minimum this costs £6.
This will let you start searching to view your search results it costs 1 credit. Now it depends on when your entry refers to. If it is post 1854 (statutory registration) you can pay 5 credits to see the original entry. This gives you all the usual info plus where and when the parents married.
BUT if it is pre-1854 you get the OPR search results which will give you the same info as the IGI holds - parents names and date.
You can order a copy of the info but sometimes it won't give you more than the search result so that's a tenner for nothing.
I know they are planning to have all the OPR (and all census) online by the end of this year.
Cheers,
Pam
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All census look up transcriptions are Crown Copyright~~~~~~~~~~~ Dumfrieshire: Fallen, Fallon, Carruthers, Scott, Farish, Aitchison, Green, Ryecroft, Thomson, Stewart Midlothian: Linn/d, Aitken, Martin North Wales: Robins(on), Hughes, Parry, Jones Cumberland: Lowther, Young, Steward, Miller Somerset: Palmer, Cork, Greedy, Clothier http://fallon.rootschat.net
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