Anne Chambers <anne@privacy.net> wrote: >Terry Pinnell wrote: >> I'm about to resume my family research after a very long break. After >> starting in Nov 2005, I subscribed to several services such as >> Ancestry, BMD, findmypast.com and 1837Online. I let these lapse in >> 2006. >> >> I appreciate that it's a partly subjective matter, but to help me >> decide which service(s) to re-join, I'd appreciate recommendations >> please. I don't suppose there's consensus on the best value, but what >> about 'the most comprehensive single service'? >> >> Is there in fact a case to be made for using entirely *free* services? >> These seemed to be coming on fast by the time my activity finished >> around Feb 2006, so perhaps there are now enough to cover all the >> censuses and other major sources? >> >> Any advice would be greatly welcomed please. >> >> >It really depends on where you left off and what you are looking for. > >Do you want access to census transcriptions and images ? In which case, >both ancestry and findmypast (formerly 1837online) have them. Findmypast >have passenger lists from the UK, ancestry have many other databases >which may/may not be useful to you. > >Do you want access to GRO indexes ? Again, ancestry or findmypast. > >Do you want to be able to do name searches on (incomplete but rapidly >increasing) transcriptions of GRO indexes ? Try FreeBMD, which won't >cost you anything. > >Try this >http://www.genuki.org.uk/gs/ >for a comprehensive overview...or Cyndi's List >http://www.cyndislist.com/uksites.htm > >Many parish registers are being transcribed and published on the >Internet - some are free, some are not. Again, it depends on what you >are looking for. > >Google might be your friend! Genuki certainly will be. Many thanks, Anne, that's very helpful. I'm using the excellent FreeBMD today, and will consider Findmypast or Ancestry. (The latter in particular seem very 'pushy' though, with frequent adverts/promotions. -- Terry, East Grinstead, UK

The Genealogist has most of the census transcribed and you have access to the scans of the originals. Findmypast has some census available but less than The Genealogist. I have a sub out for The Genealogist. Sadly no transcription is perfect so when I can't find somebody on The Genealogist site, I use the Findmypast site. I just buy units as and when I need them for Findmypast. Copper