Over the past five weeks, I have focused on what I have considered the main websites that can assist with family history research. The sites are Family Search, Ancestry, My Heritage, Find My Past and The Genealogist. All give you the choice to add your own tree to their site.
Please note: Not everything is online.
These different sites, mostly accessed via a subscription have a variety of records available. Each site has their exclusive content with regular updates occurring. At times, it can become overwhelming. If a record isn’t there today, it may be there next week.
FamilySearch is free. My take on the reason behind this is your tree is only a small part of the “one world tree”.
I have discussed this in my overview of Family Search. As a reminder, everyone has access to your tree. Anyone can change any record even if it is incorrect.
The subscription sites I have looked at are FindMyPast, Ancestry, My Heritage and The Genealogist. The tree you place on these sites is yours. DNA is available on Ancestry and My Heritage.
From experience, where I have tested in both, I have received different results. One would think they’d be at least similar but for me, they are not! I can only think that each site uses a slightly different way of determining the results. Ancestry does have the largest database.
If you have not viewed each of these sites individually they can be accessed on this blog. I do go into each of these sites in more detail. They were published on:
FamilySearch – 05 Apr 2024, FindMyPast – 12 Apr 2024, Ancestry – 19 Apr 2024, My Heritage – 26 Apr 2024 and The Genealogist – 03 May 2024.
Similar.
When it comes down to it, each site is similar. Some records in FamilySearch are locked when viewed at home. If the record does not appear you may have to go to an affiliate site usually based in a library or one of The Church of Latter Day Saints facilities where you can view all records available.
The other four subscription sites come down to your own preference and of course your budget. Currently, I am subscribed to all four.
What I have found is if you cannot find a particular record on one site, it may be available on another. There are various ways to check on the sites to find out what records they actually have within their collections.
I would say that FamilySearch is a good place to start. As I have said, it is free and you can search their record collections and then decide if you need to go to any of the other sites mentioned.
I have found that Find My Past does have a high concentration of UK records. Ancestry tends towards US-based records. However, I am aware that they do have other records from other countries around the world. I can’t really place My Heritage other than it appears to have more European records.
The Genealogist has a vast amount of records mostly relating to the UK. They also have Map Explorer and Tithe records. When deciding which site to use, it comes down to personal preference.
What I Do.
I have my own database software where I record and cite all my findings. This database is on my own computer which is backed up very regularly. I actually make a couple of copies of the database at the time of these backups for the just-in-case scenarios. I do have trees on four of the sites mentioned.
However, I rarely update my findings on these sites. I find it a big enough task just to keep one tree updated, let alone five more. I am aware I can copy my database across but it is a time-consuming process for me. Basically, I use all these sites to assist with hints or suggestions towards building my off-site tree. This does assist with my research.
Overall.
I would suggest checking each of the sites out and deciding what is best for you. As stated previously, it comes down to a personal preference. Remember, Family Search is Free. The other sites have free trials. From memory, I think Ancestry allows limited access if you are not a subscriber. You would get a message advising you need a subscription to view such and such records.
I have not checked out the other sites for access as I already have a subscription. It’s really all about –
Explore & Discover.
Acknowledgements: All logos have been taken from the respective websites. The backup pic is from Pexel and the combined logos set on AncestorFamily Logo compiled in Canva.
Ancestor Family 