Ancestry.com

[IA_Seth]

Hello.

I am looking for some help looking at a family tree on ancestry.com. It appears to have my family members listed, but I've been suckered into purchasing memberships so many times and then having the info be complete crap that i am a little hesitant to buy anything.

Does anyone have a subscription to view the family trees on ancestry.com that could PM me? I would really appreciate it if someone could look up one thing in particular and let me know if its worth buying the membership.

Thank you!!

[CBHagman]

1. I don't have a subscription, but try a library or FHC.

Some libraries have Ancestry subscriptions, but be warned that they may not have access to every record. I found even the National Archives (!) didn't have complete access. :grr:

Try checking the regional branch of the National Archives, if you have access to it, or look up your local family history center. See the FamilySearch website for details.

http://www.familysearch.org

Locations:

http://www.archives.gov/locations/

Genealogy basics:
http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/

[CountAllVotes]

2. in defense of ancestry.com

I am not a member but I was on a free trial for awhile. I would have kept it but I had some unexpected extreme expenses hit me. It is a virtual GOLDMINE if you know who/what/where you are looking for. It takes awhile to catch on to how to use the search engines they have.

I found lots of information on ancestry.com. The only thing that sort of pissed me off is that before the trial was up I was deleting all of the "shoebox" records and found I was unable to delete some of the ones most personal to me. So I guess the Mormons got that info. that was left.

I really do not want my family info. posted on their site as it is personal.

Otherwise, there is plenty to find on their site. I just question what they are doing with records you save.

[kestrel91316]

3. I have a membership - maybe I can help?

Also, a lot of stuff can be found in the family trees on Rootsweb, and it's free.

The census and search engines for it alone are worth the price of a subscription to me.................

[CountAllVotes]

4. yes before they had the census records it was useless

at least that is what I think. I primarily was reading census records during my free trial. I found a few surprises though. My grandfather's WWI draft card and also a bunch of records on my grandmother that I never knew. :)

It is worth it for the census records alone I agree!

[kestrel91316]

5. I have found some draft registration cards on a bunch of

people, too. Complete with current addresses and physical descriptions! Very cool.

[CountAllVotes]

6. yes very cool indeed

Seems my great grandfather was one of the Deputy Registrar's for the draft board at the time. He in fact registered my grandfather for WWI. He had beautiful handwriting. However, I couldn't quite imagine registering my own son for the draft could you?

I mean I know they did not get along that well but my god!

I found a lot of other people too and the physical descriptions are pretty interesting I think and also all of they other info. provided.

:)

[Bitwit1234]

7. Try this for family trees

www.rootsweb.com click on world connect site and then type in the surname of the person you are looking for...you might have to go to the form and narrow the search....father, or mother or spouse to whittle the search down. But it is very effective.