Ancestry "new search" disaster part 1

[andrewalston]

Despite me (and others I'm sure) pointing out the flaws in their "new" search, Ancestry have done the dirty on us and killed off the search which worked.

I provided examples where the old search produced the correct person as top of the list, while the new version completely ignored the place of birth, and paid scant attention to the year of birth and the name.

Thus, a search in the 1871 England census for "Mary Jane", surname unknown, born at Hale in 1854 no longer suggests Mary Jane Forshaw, born 1854 at Hale, Lancashire and living in Liverpool, but, for no apparent reason, Mary M Giddings, born 1855 in Collingwood Austria and staying in Melksham, Wiltshire.

When I pointed this out (complete with screenshots), believe it or not, their "help" representative suggested that I read their web page about using their database catalog!

So, I'm afraid that many of us will no longer be able to locate our missing relatives.

Unless of course you are looking for a Mary Giddings who was actually born in Victoria.

[dolly dimples]

I dont like this new format at all.   I seem to be all over the place but where I want to be, and these pop ups just get in the way of what I want to read.  This will be my last subscription to Ancestry. I have used the old search system for years,  and now I feel like a complete new novice , Thumbs down for me ! Dolly

[keyboard86]

Hi just tried it, yesterday perfect,  tonight a baptism I located in London mysteriously does not show, loads of similar?

So unless someone can convince me my yearly sub is worth it, bye bye Ancestry, World Wide sub FindMyPast!

Keyboard86

[louisa maud]

Oh no, I thought it was me but now I realise I am not alone

ANCESTRY, I DON'T LIKE IT

Louisa Maud

[cath151]

Sadly after many years I m going to cancel my subscription, it s a nightmare

Cathy

[PabloC]

I have to say, I was unaware they had altered the search facility, but this now makes much sense as to why I have been unable to locate records that were previously the first to appear, and provides an answer to my frustration regarding the ridiculous matches it has been suggesting since I renewed my subscription recently.

I have been switching between that and FindMyPast for comparisons, with FindMyPast becoming evermore the preferred.

Not impressed. In the slightest.

Rant over! :)

[Gadget]

I don't like the new look BUT it's not as bad as I expected and the searches that I've put in to test it  have all come up so far.  I shall give it a chance.

FindMyPast are going to make major changes too so ...............................


Gadget

[PabloC]

Hmmm...change.....bah.

Perhaps that's what I like so much about this  hobby/obsession....

You can't change the past! :)

[kiwihalfpint]

Like Gadget I will give it a chance.


Cheers
KHP