Genealogy Chat

I agree Margaret, If I paid the ancestry fee I would not be able to get the certificates. So not much point in getting the info if it can't be taken back further by buying the certificates to find Mothers maiden name etc. I would still be stuck with my Grandfather! In which case I would have stopped looking right from the start. Now I can find a little more history which I am finding a big help. Incidentally I ask for money from relatives at Christmas and birthdays so I can pursue this fascinating Hobby. We all have different hobbies and income! Happy hunting all Jean

Whenever anybody asks me what I want for Birthdays and christmas and I tell them Money or family history stuff, they all look at me as if I am stupid. And a couple of weeks ago I went to a family history fair and bought a Album to keep my Certificates in, showed it to my mum and she said I could have bought that for your birthday, I even asked if she would like to come to the fair but no.

Just a thought - how about 2 people *sharing* a subscription - one could use it weekdays, one at weekends and go halves on the cost?

I'm much the same; I've been on the trial period for Ancestry with a view to subscribing, but when I was on it I kept on being taken to yet more sites on Ancestry, charging extra subs. I must admit that put me off a bit, but still I intended to subscribe. In the end I didn't go for it for various reasons, but would recommend it. I am not a "freeloader" Gary; I'd like a bit more respect than that please. I've paid for vouchers for the 1901 Census before, also spent money on 1837.com credits. I really appreciate the efforts of the transcribers on FreeBMD, too. Trouble is, in our financial situation I'd not be able to afford certs and the Ancestry subs, so am concentrating more on the certs at the moment. Regards to all, Glenys x

An interesting discussion...and the simple answer to the likes of Mr Betts is if you object to doing searches for people who haven't subscribed to Ancestry then don't do them! Everyone who posts a look up request is extremely grateful to those who take the time and the effort to do it for them, but no-one forces anyone to use their subscription to help other people. They do it cos the MAJORITY of people on this site are extremely lovely and very helpful and in an odd kind of way, we've all become friends over the months that you see the same names appearing and everyone is very aware of the fact that you don't get anywhere without a little help from your friends. I may not subscribe to Ancestry so can't help that way but feel no guilt about asking for help occassionally cos I've certainly spent a lot in 1837online credits helping people who are stuck and I do it cos I want to. Ali

Nobody likes my idea then?!

This is really odd, I had acess to Ancestry plus for ages, then I started to get problems geting in, assumed it had gone. But last night at work, I managed to get into it, could see all the info I wanted. Thought our luck was in and it was probably back. Now I'm at home again, and it's not there. How frustrating!

Aran i like your idea xxxx

Hi Aran - it's a good idea! But (sorry to be obstructive, lol) how practical would it be? I'm such a greedy old bag I'd want access to it 7 days a week! I'd also like to echo what others have said: I've had lots of help on G.R. - sometimes even without asking for it - and have appreciated even the smallest bit of help. Glenys.

Good lord..... I didn't expect world war three to break out in the few short hours I was gone !!! Thanks for renaming the thread Chrissie. I've never been the subject of a post yet ;) My point was that yes, I'd also used the original free access through the Thompson Gale entry point and found it invaluable, was gutted when it ended and decided to subscribe. Now I took the quarterly option for 20 something quid. If when my next subscription amount is due I can't afford it then I'll cancel it. It's good value for that amount. And whilst it's no one elses business what I can and can't aford I choose to make my research my priority and spend my money on that. I'm sure there are people out there who spend the same amount on less productive things like booze & cigarettes, but I don't judge them. I enjoy helping others and have done so in the past especially as I now have access to Ancestry, but you have to admit that there are the hard core few who seem to do nothing but rely on others doing all the work ! Anyway this wasn't ment to be inflamatory ..... like any other post, if you don't like it you can always choose to ignore it. Ciao Sioux try: http://www(.)gale.ancestry(.)com/ggmain.htm

Ive got a subscription to Ancestry. Yes it is relatively expensive,but In my opinion,it is worth every penny I have paid for it. If I had to go out and buy the different census discs for where all my ancestors came from,it would cost a lot more,and if I had to go to the local records centres etc. Some people cant afford to pay for a subscription.I couldnt really afford it,but I felt guilty asking people to do lookups for me. I fully intend to renew my subscription in Jan when it runs out,I stopped smoking 6 weeks ago,and already have £120 to pay for my new subscription and certificates etc. I dont mind doing lookups for other people either I dont mind people getting into ancestry for free through the various websites as it doesnt affect ME accessing it as i paid for my access BUT at the end of the day,it will affect the places where ancestry provide access for free,as they will withdraw it,therefore stopping people gaining free legitimate access as their Terms and Conditions are being Breached Anna :-)

What really made me angry about this thread was someone using the term 'freeloaders' - how incredibly rude! As I have ME, I can only work part-time and rarely go out socially. So when I found some useful stuff on Ancestry, my husband thought it would be a really good idea and bought me a year's subscription. We felt that it would be cheaper than trying to get to Records Offices etc, and would make my hobby more enjoyable by having access from home. I don't offer general lookups simply because I would feel really embarassed if I wasn't well enough to keep up with the number of requests, but if I see someone asking for a lookup then I will do it for them. I'm more than happy to help people out with a 'free' lookup because people on this site have done really helpful things for me. We all have access to different resources so we can share and help each other. Mandy :)

Hi, Most LDS centres have ancestry online and there is no charge to use it. So almost everyone can get free access. At the LDS I use they have 2 computers with access to it. It's worth checking if one near you has it and booking time there. Gwynne

Don't feel bad about asking for lookups. No-one has to help anyone, the very kind people on here do so because they are happy to help. If they didn't want to they just wouldn't respond to the requests And we all need help in different ways - some people have access to census information, other people know about differnent types of records or where to look for that elusive information so everyone helps in whatever way they can, and when someone asks a question we all learn from it even when it doesn't seem relevant at the moment, it coudl be the answer to the next brick wall we hit! H

Perhaps he forgot to take his tablet!! Or maybe his piles are playing up. I subscribed to ancestry for a year and it cost £70.44, which is still a lot of money!! I think I shouldn't have spent it , as I don't have money to burn, but will extract what I can for the year then not renew (until I win the lottery)!! Best wishes Jacquie

Oh dear Sue and Gary, you have started something. I am fortunate and can afford to subscribe but will always help with a search if I can. It may not be done right away due to full time work....the reason I can afford it! Sometimes it is great to find something out for someone else when you are at a brick wall with your own family. Anyone reading this let me know if I can help.

To add my penny worth, Mr Betts or what ever your name is I think you are very very rude. There are lots of reasons why people can't afford to subscribe to everything even half that there is around. Take myself, until last week I thought we were able to afford most things within reason, but my husband is now out of work, in fact the whole company close owing them all a months wages. Think yourself lucky and can afford to pay for whatever you want and don't be so rude to other people if they aren't in the same situation as you. My mum always said what goes round comes round watch out you don't find yourself in that situation and no one is willing to help you. Irene

That's very true Irene. Hope your husband finds a new job soon. Best wishes Jacquie

Mr Betts i am a relative newbie, and could only afford to subscribe to ancestry for 3 mths because I didn't want to feel that I was taking advantage of others on the genes site,( also I don't live in the U.K. so popping down the local records office isn't an option,) but because everyone has the same purpose they have been very helpful, and hopefully I can do some lookups for other people when I have mastered the site ( yeah new to computers too) . This is a very expensive hobby , and I would hate to add up the cost over the last 17 years (on and off) . I must admit I can't understand your attitude. You should maybe put your brain in gear before your fingers hit the keys! Your comments are very hurtful and quite demoralising. christine - post your request and I'm sure someone will do a lookup for you - even me!

Thanks Jacqueline I just couldn't help myself when I read those most rude comments. I bet I know who is the last one to buy a drink or offer to buy drinks when they are out. Met that sort before, all mouth etc. We can all be rude if we want!! Irene