In defense of Ancestry (after bashing their sales practices which, I reiterate, are over the top), I will say this: I just spent several hours on Ancestry locating and recording information on a Revolutionary War ancestor I didn't even realize I had. Ancestry provided info on his land bounty, his rank, regiment, pension, age (info taken from him when he was still alive), and several census records--and I'm not finished! If I had had to go to a library or FHC for that information, it probably would have taken much more time (don't forget the cost of gas, parking and lunch!), and I might not have realized how much information was available. Ancestry has also provided readily accessible and very comprehensive bibliographical information on records that I can order from libraries and historical societies. The price is steep and getting more so, I agree. They know they have a captive audience, and they know we're in thrall to them. But as long as I can access the information I need without leaving my desk, thereby saving all kinds of other expenses, Ancestry's worth it. I appreciate the alternative suggestions and strategies of others on the list, and I'm going to look into them, as well. But for this year at least, I'm grateful for Ancestry and what it has provided. Thanks to all of you for an excellent discussion of a very important topic! Maureen P.S. Don't forget your local Family History Library. Most of them have Ancestry online. Your public library may also some genealogy subscriptions, such as Heritage Quest. Make a couple of phone calls, and you may find what you need for free and close to home.

Maureen - I totally agree with you. Ancestry is a wealth of information and they continue to add new and exciting databases. I am just disappointed regarding their lump sum payment. But I am going to make another call and use the suggestions that have been made on the list. Thanks to everyone for the comradery, support and ideas. It has been a great experience for me. Candace Hamilton Conradt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Maureen Girard" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 7:56 PM Subject: RE: [HAM] re: ancestry.com > In defense of Ancestry (after bashing their sales practices which, I > reiterate, are over the top), I will say this: I just spent several hours > on Ancestry locating and recording information on a Revolutionary War > ancestor I didn't even realize I had. Ancestry provided info on his land > bounty, his rank, regiment, pension, age (info taken from him when he was > still alive), and several census records--and I'm not finished! > > If I had had to go to a library or FHC for that information, it probably > would have taken much more time (don't forget the cost of gas, parking and > lunch!), and I might not have realized how much information was available. > Ancestry has also provided readily accessible and very comprehensive > bibliographical information on records that I can order from libraries and > historical societies. > > The price is steep and getting more so, I agree. They know they have a > captive audience, and they know we're in thrall to them. But as long as I > can access the information I need without leaving my desk, thereby saving > all kinds of other expenses, Ancestry's worth it. > > I appreciate the alternative suggestions and strategies of others on the > list, and I'm going to look into them, as well. But for this year at least, > I'm grateful for Ancestry and what it has provided. > > Thanks to all of you for an excellent discussion of a very important topic! > > Maureen > > P.S. Don't forget your local Family History Library. Most of them have > Ancestry online. Your public library may also some genealogy subscriptions, > such as Heritage Quest. Make a couple of phone calls, and you may find what > you need for free and close to home. > > > > > ==== HAMILTON Mailing List ==== > Visit: http://members.aol.com/johnf14246/gen_mail.html for the most accurate list of Mail Lists available! > > > > -- > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.5/147 - Release Date: 10/24/2005 > >