Fully indexed birth records - findmypast - Genealogists' Forum

ElizabethHerts · #1 15-07-10, 15:46

I have just had an e-mail from Findmypast:

"From today there is a significant change in how you can access our birth records. You can now search fully indexed birth records for 1837 to 2006 on findmypast.co.uk

We're confident that these records will vastly improve your experience of researching your family history. Viewing each result will cost five credits. You can still browse the originals and check the transcriptions against the improved greyscale images. To view each result will cost one credit.

Fully indexing the birth records involved rescanning 170 years of records and transcribing the quarter of a billion names within them. Over 1,000 people have worked on this exciting two-year project. "

Margaret in Burton · #2 15-07-10, 15:51

I've just had a look at this, you can't search by registration district only the county. If you are certain of the district that is very annoying.
The one thing it has over Ancestry is that it is 1837 to 2006 whereas Ancestry are 1837 to 1915 and the 1916 to 2005, so you don't have to change screens.
I think I still prefer Ancestry but of course it does depend on how many mistranscriptions (or not).

Margaret in Burton · #3 15-07-10, 15:57

Ooh I'm wrong.

registration districts are part of the advanced search.

Apologises to FMP

ElizabethHerts · #4 15-07-10, 16:07

It's very slow at present - I reckon everyone is trying it out.

Rachel · #5 15-07-10, 16:10

RUDE WORDS
My sub ran out on 11th ~ so now I'm without that AND Ancestry

Margaret in Burton · #6 15-07-10, 16:20

Yes it's grinding to a halt, just like when they gave freebies out during England matches.

kiterunner · #7 15-07-10, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret in Burton

The one thing it has over Ancestry is that it is 1837 to 2006 whereas Ancestry are 1837 to 1915 and the 1916 to 2005, so you don't have to change screens.

To be fair, the reason ancestry have it like that is because their 1837 to 1915 database is a copy of FreeBMD's and is free to everyone whether they have a paid sub or not.

Off to have a try of findmypast's...

kiterunner · #8 15-07-10, 16:59

Hmm, is it just me, or is there no way to select the quarter? I'm impressed that Jennet comes up as a variant of Janet.

Margaret in Burton · #9 15-07-10, 17:36

Is it on advanced search?

I like the variable name stuff, FMP is like that for census as well.

I know Ancestry is split because of the FreeBMD thing but it is annoying.

No, look like you can't search by quarter

Margaret in Burton · #10 15-07-10, 17:39

Using ctrl to search multiple counties or districts is good, can't do that on Ancestry.