which genealogy site is the best value?

[jubieanna]

there are so many sites that do the same thing. which site is the best value and easiest to use? ive used a few but only on a pay as you go basis. they are quite expensive so need some advice from you abers that have used them.
thank you

[mxyzptlk]

They all have different info (apart from census data and a few general available databases). So you pays your money etc.
Thing to do I suppose is to look at what each is delivering and equate to your own needs.
Also, remember some libraries subscribe to Ancestry for your fre use

[Rose Maybud]

Tricky one to answer - ask 10 people and you'll get 15 opinions. I'm wondering likewise. I signed up to FindMyPast because I am using the 1911 census a lot at present, which isn't available on subscription elsewhere I believe. On FMP you search one set of records at a time eg 1841 census, but if you then go to say the 1851 census it does carry through the details of the person you've just looked for in 1841. I find the transcription a little easier to read compared with Ancestry and find the viewing / saving of the original easier.
I have just this weekend signed up for a month to Ancestry (visit by the in-laws from Oz prompted that) so still finding my way around. First impressions are that if you don't know where to start for a particular person it's better because you get search results from all over the place. Then you need to spot what you do want from the rest of the suggestions that you don't. Interesting few cases that Ancestry's census transcriptions / search has found people that FMP hasn't and out of curiosity then tried to get them on FMP, and had to resort to quite a few wildcards to get them.

[TheOtherHalf]

Im afraid Ive succumbed to them all. They are all good in their own ways, but overall, I think Ancestry apart from not seeing the 1911 census which you can do on subscription. Depends how deeply you want to go into it and how many you have in your tree. I have loads so it would have cost a fortune on PAYGo. There are lots of people on here who would help you I think, if you got stuck or if you only have a few relatives to look up on 1911.

[craft1948]

Overall I use ancestry the most, but already subscribed to the genealogist which I keep meaning to cancel then it unearths another gem which I couldn't find on ancestry.
I found a lot of information by building my tree on genesreunited. which only costs about £19 a year, well worth the money as I've had massive help from others on that site, all for free, in their chatroom.

[jubieanna]

thanks everyone you've been really helpful. not sure if i can afford some of the monthly subscriptions so might give genes reunited a go. many thanks again

[fairkatrina]

genesreunited has the 1911 census (as well as all the other UK censuses) on the platinum package, which I think (from memory!) was about £60 a year (can't pay in installments tho), much cheaper than Ancestry, although I'm on there too as it has all the other military, parish etc records. I've had a shuffle round the other big players and tbh wasn't very impressed.

[jubieanna]

thanks a lot ......i have decided to have a go with genes reunited

[philkool]

can you go to geneology establishments to look up for free ?

[jubieanna]

sorry philkool I dont know what you mean by 'genealogy establishments'. im probably being thick sorry

[chellyannal]

A Genealogy Establishment is a family history society. They are in most areas and your local library should know of your nearest one. There usually is a joining fee of about ten pounds but that is for the year. Furthermore the wealth of material you get in return, coupled with the friendship and help with your family history research means that you will be on your way to discovering your roots in no time. I hope that helps!

[chellyannal]

Another thing to bear in mind and, I did forget to mention it above, is not to let the issue of money put you off. It is surprising how many people fail to get further in their research because of money. However, the majority of family history societies will NOT preclude somebody on the basis of their financial situation. Providing, of course, they are not taken advantage of they will be understanding and wait. If you really can't do this, then your local library will most likely have a family history centre where they will give you one-to-one assistance for about an hour on the Internet. You will have to pay something but it will be region of pence rather than pounds because all you will be paying for is any printouts they do of the information they find for you. So it should be a lot cheaper. I hope that answers any questions you have!