The new Findmypast (Part 2)

[locksmith]

But did this happen 

As I said earlier on this thread, in the old days, if I'd have let lose such a system on my users, I'd have been slaughtered.

I have worked in industry on very large software projects for the last 35+ years. It is not just the old days that you would get slaughtered.

As the years have passed more and more emphasis is placed on testing the system at each stage and getting it right before it's released with all the quality controls in place. So what difference is there between a system designed for a spaceship, a power station, a bank or a military establishment and that produced by FindMyPast. There should be none, but the difference of course is the end user. In FMPs case it is the humble home user in her/his search for information for their pastime. And if it is wrong when released, we'll still have elecricity, we won't be invaded by a foreign power, nobody will be mortally wounded and FMPs profits are unlikely to decrease as the more casual researchers are enticed in. The end user in this case only has the power of not paying their subs. Many more first timers will replace them.

If such a dire product had been released at my place of work, there would already be people on gardening leave awaiting the inevitable.

Simon

[avm228]

Is there any way now to see the 1911 cover sheet and summary books which were previously accessible? They were an important part of the 1911 "package".

I also cannot easily see a way of getting a list of all marriage parties on a page in the GRO marriages.  In the four on a page era it tells me two possible bridegrooms for a bride, but not the name of the other bride (often so helpful for elimination purposes).  Obviously in real life I would use FreeBMD (subject to coverage of the relevant dates) but it is irritating when functionality is reduced in so many ways.

[LizzieL]

Apart from searching again on one of the possible partners, no I don't think you can get a list of all the couples with same reference. I have contacted FindMyPast about this - but no reply yet.

In fact has anyone had a reply to any of their complaints, queries, comments lately?

[groom]

Well, the dreaded e-mail arrived overnight welcoming me to "simpler to use" new FindMyPast. When I followed that link I was taken to the new site, but using the bookmark I have on my computer I am still taken to the old site. Is that normal - if so I wonder how long it will continue?

[dawnsh]

I've just done a marriage search for a known entry in 1871 and the possible spouses are shown.

If you want to practice, use Henry Arthur Sherry in 1871

make sure you select marriage and divorce from the drop down box at the top of the screen

[rosie99]

I just looked at it dawnsh but it does not show the other groom which we often use when trying to eliminate. 

Rosie

[LizzieL]

Also, I can't see a place to put in year or range of years for marriage. Only birth or death dates.

[dawnsh]

I expect the names have been entered into a groom/bride field on their database and there is an assumption Henry wouldn't have married another man?

I can see your point about showing all 4 names though, just suggesting what FindMyPast's answer might be

[Barbara F]

Hi Dawn

Where do I find the names of the potential spouses?  All I can access is a transcript of the entry in the register and an image of the register entry.

Barbara