if u have..did you find it helpful at all?.. im trying it and its not helpin me that much.. any good tips?
2006-11-01 11:56:47 · 9 answers · asked by psugirlie10 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
I have used Ancestry.com, and at one time it was very useful and very helpful. Now they have started to charge for the kinds of in-depth information that you are probably seeking. It can get expensive. If you are really involved in a project that means much to you, pay for it and get your answers. Otherwise, I would try a Search for "Ancestry" or Geneology" to find a website that is less costly, or maybe even free.
2006-11-01 12:01:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have used it alot and find it to be one of the best on-line resources available. But if you think you will find all the answers there though you will be disapppointed. One of the secrets to genealogy is knowing what all of the resources are, knowing which are the best to check first and when those don't yield an answer, figuring out where to dig deeper at. There are an endless number of resources that can be checked and on-line records is only one of them.
Also with a large data-base like Ancetsry.com it is important to know how their search engine works. Skillful searches can make the difference between finding someone and not finding them. I have had to be very creative on my searches sometimes. Keep in mind that original records may have the names spelled wrong and other information reported incorrectly. Also the data they have has to go through transcribing and computer entry both of which are subject to error. The easiest way I can explain how to work the search engine is this. Lets say that a certain data-base has 10 different fields you can fill out to search. Lets assume that the person you are looking for IS in the database. If you put something in ANY of these fields that doesn't match what is in the data-base, the results will not show who you are looking for. Start the search as basic as you can get away with and if there are too many results add to the fields that may best narrow it down. There is an art to manipulating the searches and it can be different every time depending on the database, how much you know and it can be very much affected by how common or uncommon the name is that you are searching for. An uncommon name can be ran on a broad search but if it is John Smith, you have to really narrow things down.
Hope that helps you out.
2006-11-01 20:43:57 · answer #2 · answered by b0jangle 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I first started, Ancestry.com was free. Even thought it now costs....other researchers have told me it is the most help. I've been lucky to find other family members through the message boards and they have been VERY generous in sharing the information they've gleaned. It has helped me compile a history going back many hundreds of years in my father's family. I have also been able to make contributions to an excellent family history book of my husband's family.
Keep searching. It's wonderfully interesting hobby!
2006-11-02 08:43:03 · answer #3 · answered by gmajerisue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has been very useful to me and worth the money. I love the census. I have found most of my relatives. It starts with the first ever census up to and including 1930. The Government has not released any census after 1930 to the public because of privacy. Try all the sites that you have received from your answers, I have used all of them. Good luck on your search. I have been searching for over 10 years and have just finished a 500 page book of text and pictures on my fathers line.
2006-11-03 03:20:59 · answer #4 · answered by DeeJay 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I subscribed to the US Census images and find them enormously helpful. If you are using just the free parts, you'd do better with US Gen Web, RootsWeb World Connect, the RW Mailing list archives and the Mormons. Check Cyndi's list, too.
2006-11-02 00:21:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have used it and I don't like it. I refuse to pay that kind of money for nearly useless information. For instance, if you want to search Clyde Magillicuddy born in Ireland in 1802, it gives you thousands of near- and not-so-near matches going on to infinity! Too much information is useless information in my book. Try RootsWeb.com or FamilySearch.org. They are better and they are free.
2006-11-01 20:11:53 · answer #6 · answered by correrafan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My hubby uses it all the time, he occasionally pays a fee to gain more information from it and has found it really helpful in his searches for his family history.
2006-11-01 20:09:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just tried it and it's not so nice!
2006-11-01 21:20:10 · answer #8 · answered by djklamz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope what is it
2006-11-01 20:02:37 · answer #9 · answered by bearcatz_07 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋