Genealogy Chat

Sorry for not responding sooner, Carol. I should not post during my lunch hour. Ancestry weren’t first in the field so far as indexing UK censuses are concerned and their methodology leaves a little to be desired. They have a huge advantage over earlier indexers in that the information is available over the internet and, crucially, that it links to digital images. When I first heard of the project – when colour images were mooted, so you could distinguish between the original handwriting and subsequent additions – it sounded like science fiction. Well, now it’s fact. And I know it makes family history possible for lots of people who couldn’t contemplate starting this hobby only a few years ago. I would be at ease with the situation if I was confident that A there would still be multiple providers of census information on the internet in five years time and B users were exploring more than just a single image, but getting a feel of the whole locality in which their ancestors lived. (Don't bite my nose off for this - I know some people will make full use of the service, but there is the temptation to cherry pick in just the way I did when I started out) Thank you to everyone who offered lookups and to the kind lady who personal messaged me. I am trying to stick to my principles and I think in any case that I will already have references to most of the entries, but your kindness is appreciated.

Brenda, I am intrigued. ''cos I think they're bent on world domination' What makes you think that? To me, they are transcribing census and other information in a reasonable easy to find form, which makes family history a lot easier.

I only pay as you go its about £7 and you get 20 credits I think which is usually enough for what I want and 1 week to use them up in. I find this suits me I have some credits at the moment if you would like me to look up something. Sue

I do subscribe to Ancestry because they are invaluable to family history research.

I know I will have most of these and I do want to find them for myself, but it's like looking at a large bar of chocolate when you're on a diet! Brenda Fighting the urge to subscribe!

'cos I think they're bent on world domination, but there are 71 entries for Skillings in 1861!