Choosing genealogy database

[Acorn]

Please can anyone recommend which would be suitable for a beginner - Find my Past or Ancestry.co.uk?

 

[davelambert271]

A very difficult question as all sites have different records and a different way of presentation.

your best bet is to take out a free 14 day trial, use the site as much as possible, but make sure you cancel in good time. Then sign up for the one you like best.

If the site you choose doesn't have the record you are looking for, just post your question on here.

One good feature on A....... is that it suggests other records which may be applicable and allows you to copy records to a tree as a reference

good hunting

dave

 

[mikehardy]

Thanks Dave, can you (or anybody on here) confirm that both data bases ( A***, FMP) cover all census 1841 - 1911 and all BMD records. It is not clear from their web sites.

 

[davelambert271]

my understanding - Both sites have census 1841 to 1911 and both have BMD from the start of registration in late 1837 to 2005/6; both have Scottish census transcripts except 1911, but no BMD. records for the later years are still being added and there are known records which are missing

dave

 

[mikehardy]

Thanks Dave, I am confused!! Just revisited the A*** web site, it states their 'key' 1911 census records only go back to 1891 am I missing something here.

 

[Acorn]

Thanks, Dave - if Scottish BMD is not on these databases is there any way to find these out?

 

[davelambert271]

Thanks Dave, I am confused!! Just revisited the A*** web site, it states their 'key' 1911 census records only go back to 1891 am I missing something here.

I don't know what you mean by key. Ancestry have all census years from 1841 to 1911 inc

To find Scottish 1911 census and BMD records you have to subscribe to Scotlands People http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

You can search 1901/1911 Irish census records free at http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

dave

ps just one point, make sure you are using Ancestry.co.uk - not .com

Featured records on Ancestry.co.uk
1911 Census >>1911
Birth Marriage & Death >>1837 - 2005
Census >>1841 - 1901
Criminals >>1787 - 1892
Directories >>1677 - 1984
Ireland >>1270 - 1958
Military >>1660 - 1972
Occupations >>1710 - 1969
Parish >>1512 - 2001
Probate & Tax >>1525 - 1966
plus many more, but not all