How to start this? I am currently a subscriber. I found a very good deal on the so I re-subscribed. I do go through stages where I do not renew the subscription. Mostly this occurs because I haven’t used the site for some time or the cost is just way too high.
To me, Ancestry concentrates on the US market. However, not to say they don’t have records covering the rest of the world.
The number of card catalogues, at the time of writing, is more than 33,400 and contains over 60 billion records from over 80 countries. (As at March 2024.)
Hints.
You can add your own tree to the website. The Ancestry algorithm will provide hints in the shape of a green leaf next to your ancestor’s name in your tree.
Please be very aware that these are hints or as I call them, suggestions. These hints can come from a variety of sources which include another person’s tree.
DO NOT ADD A RECORD UNLESS YOU HAVE VERIFIED ALL THE INFORMATION. Selecting a hint just because it looks right is NOT the process. Adding a hint without checking can wreck your tree – as I’ve referred to this previously as “bad fruit”. It can take you a very long time to correct the error or errors. Just because a hint says you can add another 50 people to your tree is not what is recommended. Please do your own research to verify the record you wish to add to your tree.
Website.
With that all out of the way, let’s get down to looking at the website. The website address I use is usually: www.ancestry.co.uk.
As from previous writings, this is an overview of the log-in process. It’s what you see before diving in head first. Upon entering the site you are greeted with a top menu: Home, Trees, Search, Memories, DNA. (shown below.)
Screen.
On the home page, you get a welcome and your tree is shown. Then, there’s whose next parental line/paternal line. On the left-hand side: Tree hotspot, last updated and recommended. Shown next are popular photo hints, your daily picks.
- Review of an ancestor.
- My DNA matches.
- Upcoming birthdays.
- Hints about people you may know.
- My DNA origins.
- Offers.
- In remembrance (ancestor deaths).
- Hints about direct relatives.
- My traits. (relates to DNA if you requested and paid for it.)
- My Ethnicity inheritance.
- Suggestions on what to watch.
- Upcoming anniversaries.
- Review stories.
- Ancestry products.
And we’ve not even got to searching records yet!
Then, on the right-hand side:
- Search people.
- Tips and tricks.
- Special record collections.
- Tools and resources.
- Services.
- Download app.
Are you ready to do a search? Or are you stuck in the rabbit holes on the homepage?
Changes.
Please note: At the time of writing to publishing, screens have changed. This occurs from time to time. Please be aware when you enter the site, you may encounter something different.
Searching.
Select: Search from the top menu then select the type of record. The current selection available is:
All Records, Census and Voter Lists, Birth Marriages and Deaths, Military, Immigration and Travel, Convict Criminal Land and Wills, Public Member Trees, School Directories and Church Histories, Card Catalogue and Member Search.
My example is Public Member Trees:
Enter details i.e. name or birth, death, marriage date or parents etc. You can even enter a keyword. On a lot of occasions less is best. Hence my use of the word “or”. I find entering a surname and a location good places to start – enter details and press search.
My example is Public Member Trees:
Enter details i.e. name or birth, death, marriage date or parents etc. You can even enter a keyword. On a lot of occasions less is best. Hence my use of the word “or”. I find entering a surname and a location good places to start – enter details and press search.
My search results showed a list of the surnames plus how many times a person appears in a tree. My search showed 119 records covering over three pages. The way I go about this is by looking for my ancestor’s first name and then checking out those trees. This is a fun and good way to see what others have in their tree. It can assist with providing information (hints) that you do not have. Try it out and see what you find. Please let me know in the comments below.
Now for a warning!
Do not take the tree to be correct. Do your own research. Find the related record(s). Then, add the information to your tree. This way you confirm the correct record details are added and sourced correctly.
My thoughts.
Ancestry has a large variety of records that can assist with your research. Some records added by subscribers can be copied and added to your tree. Like all research, you do the research knowing you are correct with your findings.
Use hints and other trees as a guide – like a pathway for you to head down. If it is wrong at least you have checked it. If correct then there are no issues.
Overall, ancestry is a good place to go. You always have a choice. Subscribe or not. There is a 14-day trial you can use to make your decision.
Explore and Discover.
Acknowledgements: All pics within this writing have been taken from the Ancestry website except “Thoughts”. It is taken from Pexels.
Ancestor Family 