RootsChat.Com
Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: seekernz on Saturday 08 April 17 16:24 BST (UK)
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I've recently begun researching my family tree and am greatly impressed by the speedy results and willingness of the contributors to rootsweb.
Im left wondering how they so readily get their hands on the data Im seeking!
Is the data sourced primarily through Public library systems or from software or hardcopy available in retail outlets.
Im not in a location that has access to Libraries, Vietnam ! but might cough up the brass to purchase some research material that would allow me to contribute to the Great Hunt. as most of my forebears thus far have been located in ,if you'll pardon the term 'the British Isles' that's where my interest lies. My birthplace is NZ so would perhaps take that on as well.
What are my options?
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There are DVD's published by various Family History Societies but these will be specific to one area or Parish.
Your best research facility is one of the online Gen. sites. That is to say Ancestry or Find my past.
There are free resources out there including the IGI site which have many Parishes online FOC.
There are also similar pay to view & free sites covering Scotland & Ireland.
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Thank JIM1,
you'd recommend I should simply cough up the max. subscription fee to say, 'Ancestry'. and use that to assist others making enquiry on rootsweb ?
Rather than build a library of DVDs in a haphazard fashion?
Not familiar with IGI. will look it up though.
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You can buy credits or take a short sub. but if you have a lot to get it's probably best to take it for 1 year.
I can only generalise as you haven't specified country/county or timeline of interest.
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Thank JIM1,
you'd recommend I should simply cough up the max. subscription fee to say, 'Ancestry'. and use that to assist others making enquiry on rootsweb ?
Rather than build a library of DVDs in a haphazard fashion?
Not familiar with IGI. will look it up though.
Before taking out a subscription see what is available on free sites. For England and Wales - Freebmd, FreeReg, Online Parish Clerks and FamilySearch are good places to start. Then you can plan what you need to find, and work out which is the best paysite for your research.
Rootschatters are here for advice and assistance whatever your query may be.
Good hunting
Philip
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I think a lot of the people on here who are so generous with there time and resources have first personally invested in subs for one or two sites, or bought discs, etc, for their own researches at first - I know that's what I've done - and simply keep on the subs, and are willing to look things up to help others, or potter to a local record office on behalf of others, etc.
There is also the "know how" that is at least as valuable - knowing how/where to find things out, being able to decipher or define things, or even that "fresh pair of eyes".
There's also the pleasure of simply solving a problem. There's a lot of satisfaction in being able to do that for someone.
The people who restore photographs have my especial admiration for their efforts - even if I had "photoshop" or similar, I know I'd never manage what they do with such speed.
I think very soon after we step into the "Roots stream" we become so grateful for the help people give us, so freely, that we all want to contribute what we can to help other people. And so it goes on...
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Thank JIM1,
you'd recommend I should simply cough up the max. subscription fee to say, 'Ancestry'. and use that to assist others making enquiry on rootsweb ?
Rather than build a library of DVDs in a haphazard fashion?
Not familiar with IGI. will look it up though.
This is Rootschat- nothing to do with Rootsweb :-\ Most pay/subscription sites don't allow third party lookups and it is Rootschat policy to abide by those conditions.
IGI is International Genealogical Index which is the records bit of www.familysearch.org - completely free and has worldwide coverage.
Most of the boards for counties, etc. on Rootschat have a resources sub-board where there will many, many resource links (lots also free) and great links to useful information on that particular area.
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Yes, my bad. I meant of course rootschat.
Took a shufti at IGI but theyve got tech problems so a raincheck on that.
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Yes, my bad. I meant of course rootschat.
Took a shufti at IGI but theyve got tech problems so a raincheck on that.
Family Search has been working for me today