Genealogy Chat

Why is it that when I click on a search on so called Free BMD I am invited to join Ancestry? What is going on and where is the free info? Puzzled Jim :-?

Hello If you scroll down a little, you will see the form you need to fill in to search. Regards

Thanks Silly me!! Jim:-)))

The Ancestry banner is just an advert.

I did scroll down, but I am not prepared to risk losing 100 dollars if I should fail to cancel within 14 days. I thought Free BMD meant what it says. :-((((((((((

Mommylonglegs, Please take me through the steps as if you were leading a little child. I clicked on Resources, Free BMD scrolled down, Clicked on Rootsweb and it would not give me any info unless I subscribed. Jim in a tizzy :-/

Thanks Philip, No I have been going to it via this site only. I will try it direct and see what occurs! Thanks all Jim:-)))

Wail!!!! I just tried that and got "Page cannot be displayed" Woe is me. Jim :-(((((((((((((((((((((((

Grandpa Jim, They gave you the wrong address hence why cannot find it need to omit the www. it doesn't need them this is how you need to type it into browser: http://freebmd.rootsweb(.)com it is def free but bear in mind does not hold all records as yet so if cannot find what you are looking for does not mean no record of it. zoë

Now then Jim what are you up to lolol!!! If you get the Free BMD page up, you will see the Ancestry Advert at the top - just ignore this bit!! Then .... scroll down the page and you will see a red box with the word "search" in red inside it. Click on this and you are into the Free search. The addy I use is http://freebmd(.)rootsweb(.)com/ no brackets of course. Hope this helps!!! Maz. XX

Thank you all, I know it looks dim of me, but I was totally at a loss. I am in now. Jim ::--))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Good oh! This is an absolutely essential website but remember to keep checking back if do not find entry as they regularly update it. good luck grandpa jim! (my grandad was called jim too!) zoë x

I use FreeBMD and also the same info on the Ancestry site. I had to register (not subscribe) to use Ancestry, but I find it is quicker than FreeBMD and I prefer the way it lists hits, you don't need to do so much scrolling down. On the other hand, if you are looking for a marriage and want to look for both names at once, FreeBMD is better. I generally use whichever suits my purpose best each time. Helen

Hi I have the same problem, when i enter my search it shows no free results. Just drects me to a subscription area with the promise of results. Whatever your doing wrong Jim i am too!!!!!!!!!!! Kelly x

Kelly, Ignor the small box at the top of the page....go down to the main part. It's a common problem. Sheila x

Go straight to this page for your search http://freebmd.rootsweb.*com/cgi/search.pl (remove *)

It's because the ancestry ad. loads more quickly than the rest of the page. I fell into the same trap at first...it's a clever(?!) marketing ploy. Just wait a bit, then scroll down. There are other sites that the same thing happens on. Good luck! And keep your info fairly vague...I find that selecting 'all' often gives me something worthwhile, whereas being too specific gives nothing! Sue (NZ)

Have just been reading all your emails. I have not been able to get any info on free BMD either. Have paid to Ancestry and expected to see birth/death/marriage certificates which I could print off. Have got nothing and wasted my money! Will follow your instructions and hope for success! These tips are great!

Jennifer If only you could print off certificates! You can't, I'm afraid. What you will get of FreeBMD/Ancestry Eng & Wales civil registration/1837online is the reference you need to order the certificate from the GRO, which currently costs £7. Helen

Cheers Thanks Jeff have just logged on using your link. Loads of matches for my family thanks so much. Silly me fancy not scrolling down Cheers again Kelly xx