Subscription offer on findmypast 20% off

[Sarch]

Findmypast is offering 20% off on their 6 month and 12 month subscriptions - the offer is valid until Saturday

www.findmypast.com/paymentOptions/subscriptions/index.jsp?77tadunit=58601fec&utm_source=aw_uk&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=gen

They are offering in the Full subscription access to 1841 - 1911 census

If you are already subscribed to Ancestry there is a subscription to just the 1911 census on its own

Just thought I would let you know Full Subscription is £74.95 for 6 months and £119.95 for 12 months (ouch )

For access to just the 1911 Census on its own its £39.95 6 months or £59.95 12 months

Sarch

[Cornish Terrier]

There are multiple ways to skin cats but some of these sites seem to be able to find more!

And I suppose a site with exclusive rights to a particular item (in this case the 1911 Census) thinks they have the right to charge what they like.

I know it is a competitive market and every (fill in the gaps) wants to grab what they can but 'burn me and butter me on both sides' if anyone can honestly say that highway robbery is a forgotten art!

If you are already subscribed to Ancestry there is a subscription to just the 1911 census on its own

For access to just the 1911 Census on its own its £39.95 6 months or £59.95 12 months

In this example we have the 'kindly gesture' of having the 1911 Census available as a single subscription for those already subscribed to Ancestry.

Bravo! - and how very thoughtful and kind this is.

Each of these sites is almost beyond the affordability of most of us anyway and we have to struggle to be able to pursue our hobby.

This 'because you are subscribed to Ancestry we will do this for you' offer is really a 'kick in the guts'!

The picture as I see it is this:-

There is a war on between, in particular, the larger providers of information to be made available to the amateur genealogist.

Each site knows that it has sole rights to certain records - in this case FMP has the 1911 Census.

So what appears to be happening here is a program to entice subscribers away from another provider (in this case Ancestry) by offering the irrestible carrot:-

'We' charge (x amount) per annum for subscription which includes 'this item'.

But you are already subscribed to (in this case Ancestry) and they do not have 'this item'.

But you want 'this item' so (just to look after you) we will do a deal for you!

Your annual subscription to 'them' is as much as it would be with 'us' so we will allow you access to 'this item' for ONLY 'this amount'! (which makes us very good people indeed!)

On the other hand ....................

You could always forgo your subscription to 'them' and simply sign up with 'us' for the 'best deal in town' and get not only the item you want but everything else we have as well!

That way you don't have to pay out the 'special price' to just get that one item!

(Don't worry about the fact that you will then not have access to the stuff they have and we don't! )

Is it just me? ..............................

[Mal]

Re CT's comments--- I have issues too.

1. I recently subscribed with a service that, amongst other things, has a warning about doing look ups for people! You will be charged extra!
2. These records are public records and therefore at least in the public domain of the UK if I am not mistaken. The National Archives, if I am not badly informed, did a deal with one service.
3. I accept that a fee to use the search engine and site facilities is reasonable but then the service had better be pretty d**n good! - next comment-
4. These services are not cheap, I've said it before and I'll say it again- when some of the transcriptions are so poor and there are whole gaps in coverage it does stick in my throat a bit that I have to use a combination of subscription service, good old Free Cen and IGI.

Genealogy is one of the fastest growing hobbies and people have cottoned on to the idea as a good way of making money.

What can we do?

[Sarch]

Ct

'burn me and butter me on both sides'

This is one of the best expressions I have heard in a long time CT ;D

Yes all these subscriptions are extremely expensive
I should find out if they have special prices for people with weak currency ;D

We are about 12.50 to the Pound at the moment eeek

Feel like I am being held hostage

Sarch

[Cornish Terrier]

SArch - I do have some equally good and some even better expressions.

Unfortunately most of them are ..................

[Sarch]

CT

LOL

Sarch

[Mal]

Now, now.... thought you lot preferred VEGEMITE!!! Ha ha! Lol!
But the thought of Ian covered in that foul substance (love it or hate it)...right... stop now!!!