are only interested in "FREE" sites, why dont you want to pay it's your family afterall. I have enrolled with ancestry etc because I want to do the research and I am prepared to pay, just a thought nothing is for free.
2007-05-27 15:51:35 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
I have been a subscriber to both ancestry.com/.co.uk for quite a while now, I offer my help completely free and I even print off information and forward it on to the person who I am helping and I do that COMPLETELY FREE as well, but I do agree everyone wants the benefit but no one wants to pay for it.
2007-05-27 16:35:03 · answer #1 · answered by itsjustme 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've registered with Ancestry.com and found the site well-worth the while considering the several decades I spent prior to the Internet documenting back to my great and great-great grandparents--about as far as the family bible, 19th-century marriage records solicited through numerous county clerks, and federal census recordings could take me. Ancestry.com, on the other hand, has taken me back in many instances across the Atlantic, although I can't necessarily verify the details. Whereas earlier I knew the country of origin from which different ancestors came; now, in many instances, I know the exact parish and village, and in some instances, the ship an ancestor sailed on, and his (very rarely her) previous occupation. Of course, I can't currently officially verify the details--that might require a whirlwind trip to Europe once I win the lottery.
For those Americans who don't want to purchase a web service for online genealogical research; however, the US census is available from 1790 to 1930. It does not list all the members of the household as well as their ages and relationship to the family head until 1850, but it is free and available online as well as in the government document section of many libraries. Of course, after asking questions of family members and taking a look at the family bible, the US Census was the first place to look for ancestors before the Internet came along, and it's still an invaluable tool. Many states also provide Vital Records, such as marriage and birth certificates online, and the Social Security Administration web site is useful for verifying place of death information.
Diligent searches can go to all kinds of sites to mine for ancestral information. For instance, Dad was attached to the 8th Air Force during World War II. Accordingly, I've found Selective Service information verifying his service in the Army Air Corps as well as the fact that he came back through Ellis Island upon re-entering the USA. The Latter Day Saints also provide a family history web site free-of-charge: www.lds.org/familyhistory
2007-05-27 16:27:36 · answer #2 · answered by Ellie Evans-Thyme 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't mind paying, and I belong to Ancestry, but unless your family is North American, it is rubbish and I rarely use it. The reason people are reluctant to pay is the poor quality of many genealogy websites, something you only discover after you've shelled out.
2007-05-28 02:24:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can certainly understand your reasoning, but I also have a huge problem with organizations such as Ancestry.com making huge profits by playing on peoples "need to know" when it comes to family members. Every database that they maintain comes from public records. Public, not private.
I have paid hundreds of dollars over the years to organizations such as Ancestry.com, NEGS, and other Genealogical Societies. In each instance I have given them information. I have made available to them my familieis information and they have never offered to pay me one penny for it. The difference is, I would never ask. To ask for donations is one thing. I am willing to give very generous donations to organizations that don't require it. To be required to pay to get public information is in my opinion wrong. Especially when they are making huge profits and rely on a persons desire to learn about their heritage.
There are organizations that have projects online such as the GenWeb Projects or Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness that I admire for how they freely give help to anyone who asks.
Why does something as personal as genealogically researching a families past have to have dollar signs attached?
I've been where you are and I've paid my dues, literally. Perhaps people like you shouldn't judge people like me.
2007-05-28 00:59:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, yeah, there is something for free.
I got 7 lines back 1000 years, all for free!
The geneology library in Salt Lake, run by the Mormons is totally free, and most of their Stake Centers in the US have access to that info, again for free.
2007-05-27 17:28:59 · answer #5 · answered by tropical 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For £10 a year i enrolled with genes reunited.com. I found out a great deal about my family and someone on there sent me photos of my great*3 grandma and her family. Also I found out that my great great grandad comitted suicide by drowning and my great*3 grandad was in Broadmoor criminal lunatic asylum. It was well worth it to find the black sheeps of the family.
2007-05-28 02:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by Johnno 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am also a member of Ancestry.co.uk and Scotlandspeople which are both paying sites what I object to is when someone contacts you who is related to your tree and they want all the information you have paid for but do want to share theirs with you
2007-05-27 18:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am 100% disabled veteran living on a fixed income. I cannot afford it. It's just that simple. Mazels on your wealth, you should share with your poor friends, if you have any.
2007-05-28 13:39:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
huh. I did that, too. It has been pretty interesting so far. but some people might not be able to afford it, I suppose.
2007-05-27 15:54:22 · answer #9 · answered by desperatehw 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Every body wants something for notthing.
2007-05-27 16:06:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋