ancestry*uk

[v.wells]

Well I tried all the phone numbers listed and there is no help or tech support on weekends. I can not get the complete BMD for 1984-2005 to show up to search. I finally sent an email but you know they never answer your question and besides I want to know NOW why I can't access the 1984-2005 BMD's. Is anyone else having this problem? |computer||shakehead

[Astoria]

Marriages and deaths seem fine, but I am getting UNKNOWN as a heading for births. Is it the same for you, maybe they are upgrading.

[Jane Gee]

mine was very slow to load up about an hour or so ago which was very unusual. Did eventually get it to work but was then only looking at census

[elaine webb]

Well I've just logged on to A....y and it seems fine, bdm and censuses all ok so far!!

[v.wells]

Yes and it is annoying the heck out of me! What bothers me most is that they simply refuse to post upgrades and technical support info on the home page. I was on a roll and now it's all thrown off and gone to hell. Now I have to switch over to another line of thought and do something else til it appears again, whenever that will be. It is not in the list of other records either.

[v.wells]

Well I've just logged on to A....y and it seems fine, bdm and censuses all ok so far!!

Were you looking at complete BMD for 1984-2005?

[Astoria]

Just tried a search for my son using the UNKNOWN heading, keeps telling me there is insufficient information. I think they must be doing something technical, but they could warn us.

[elaine webb]

Vanessa,

I spoke too soon:confused: My computer has gone really slow and although I can get onto the bmd it's done the same as Astoria, it states 'unknown'??

Me and my big mouth!!

Mind you I'm on all sorts of sites at the moment. I'm trying to do 100 things at once as usual!!

Elaine.

[elaine webb]

Grrrrrrrrrrr,

This is catching, I was in the middle of doing my family tree on GR and now that site has crashed! I give up|banghead||banghead|

It's either too busy this weekend with everyone using the sites or they are having technical problems.

[susan-y]

Mine is also very slow....I thought it was our cable as the company has been out working on lines in front of our neighbour's today...I have been so frustrated lately that I have hardly used A* . Another thing I have found strange.... I went to quickly double check some information on my grandmother's family and they have all disappeared. Usually I could find them on the census's very quickly ( faster than looking in my files:) ).... now they seem to no longer be there:confused:
|nutkick| to A*****

Sue

[susan-y]

Well I tried all the phone numbers listed and there is no help or tech support on weekends. I can not get the complete BMD for 1984-2005 to show up to search. I finally sent an email but you know they never answer your question and besides I want to know NOW why I can't access the 1984-2005 BMD's. Is anyone else having this problem? |computer||shakehead

You would just get a form email back anyway...that's what I got last time..never answered my question.
Then I emailed GR as I was having a problem with not allowing people I sent a message to view my tree. I always click the allow so it is off when I send a first query ( I want to make sure they are connected before I open the tree) and then when I checked my sent emails or when the person replied back they were allowed to see my tree. Never had any problems with the hundreds of others I had done before, so I fired off a message to them. All I got back was a letter saying they had done nothing to the site and this is how to use it.........:mad:

Sue

[v.wells]

Restarted pc and then went to save GEDCOM but still spinning after 5 min with 0% completed. I shall have to try it again later.

[Barnzzz]

Just tried looking up number 1 son born in 1982 and he comes up OK, but number 2 son in 1984 doesn't work at all.

Sue

[christanel]

Well I tried all the phone numbers listed and there is no help or tech support on weekends. I can not get the complete BMD for 1984-2005 to show up to search. I finally sent an email but you know they never answer your question and besides I want to know NOW why I can't access the 1984-2005 BMD's. Is anyone else having this problem? |computer||shakehead

I have findmypast as well as ancestry so if you want me to do a look up for you it will be no problem.
Christina

[v.wells]

Thank you Christina, but I will wait. I want to save my credits on FMP for the 1911 census. At least there is another resource out there if I get stuck - I really must take the time to browse FMP. A* has become habit forming for me as I am able to link back and see what I've got.

[christanel]

- I really must take the time to browse FMP. A* has become habit forming for me .
And for me. I have to remind myself I have FMP. It is so slow bringing up images.
The offer stands if needed.
Christina

[Browneyes]

Just wanted to vent my frustration about searching using the 'exact' box(es).

That's all I have to say |banghead|

[Procat]

And for me. I have to remind myself I have FMP. It is so slow bringing up images.
Christina

Totally agree. It is very frustrating and adds considerably to the amount of time to find anything.

[JenniLl]

In my frustration I have cancelled my subscription (it was due for renewal!), will now use FMP and The G..........t. It took ages to navigate around the new system on A* which seemed to be geared for American use. They could have had two sites with links. |soapbox|

Jenni

[lesleys]

I find that between 9 - 12 GMT on weekdays is the best time to use A** after lunch everything slows down. It is possible to revert to the "Old Style" search if you dont like their new style - I suspect that running the two systems is probably what is slowing everything up. And the list of searchable databases has moved from the homepage which is annoying.
Still it keeps us on our toes!

[Thomasin]

Don't bother trying fmp for 1841, 1881 or 1901 - inaccessible last night and still this morning. You just get an error message, Error 500 and a lot of blurb. I sent an email but don't expect an answer. All I have found out by using the 'UK Family History Records' is that by those censuses it says 'connection unavailable'. Frustrating!

As a matter of fact, the images had been taking less time to appear just recently. Let's hope they are working further on this.

Thomasin

[v.wells]

In my frustration I have cancelled my subscription (it was due for renewal!), will now use FMP and The G..........t. It took ages to navigate around the new system on A* which seemed to be geared for American use. They could have had two sites with links. |soapbox|

Jenni

The one that is geared for US use is .com. The UK one is .uk and unless you have a world sub you will not be able to view anything American.

[v.wells]

I find that between 9 - 12 GMT on weekdays is the best time to use A** after lunch everything slows down. It is possible to revert to the "Old Style" search if you dont like their new style - I suspect that running the two systems is probably what is slowing everything up. And the list of searchable databases has moved from the homepage which is annoying.
Still it keeps us on our toes!

Lesleys - if you use "customize your homepage" you can put it back on out in the open or add it to your quick links.

[v.wells]

The site is still not working.

[Thomasin]

Annie - have you tried the 1841, 1881 and 1891 censuses? They are still not working for me. |banghead|

Thomasin

[Thomasin]

1851? - you can only get Dorset and Norfolk!!

Thomasin

[Thomasin]

It (fmp) is now stating 'connection unavailable' for the 1851 as well.

I've just renewed my subscription too!

Thomasin

[susan-y]

1891 census for London was quick and accurate!!!! I didn't try any others, so I guess we get one good thing and 6 bad|shakehead

Sue

[Tederator]

Marriages and deaths seem fine, but I am getting UNKNOWN as a heading for births. Is it the same for you, maybe they are upgrading.

Same thing happening here.

Ted.

[susan-y]

http://bestsmileys.com/exploding/1.gif

This evening A***.ca was great for awhile and then around 9pm the stupid computer started to slow down. |computer||computer| I was on a roll, too. Finally about 10:30 I gave up as I'm sure my BP was through the roof. I was using the Ontario births, marriages and some deaths and had found some more members of my hubby's Mom's family and after having weeks of NO LUCK it would have been nice to have been able to check things without a 5 minute wait between clicks of the mouse.|computer||computer|

Sue

PS..... NOW...its that time of night I know I shouldn't be here...I'm getting "DATA BASE ERROR' GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and can't submit......|5cups|

[Thomasin]

FMP's 1841 and 1901 censuses are back!! 1851 now out, together with the 1881.

Thomasin

[v.wells]

A*'s tech support said the developers were aware of the problem and were working on it but don't know how long it will take for them to rectify it. I was on hold for about 15 minutes before being put on hold another 20 mins for tech support (complaint dept).

I told them that subscribers should get extra time added to their billing cycle because of the enormous problems that have occurred over the past 6 months or so, or a rebate. :D Fat chance of that happening! I also mentioned that the sub fees charged should more than adequately cover 24/7 tech support and enable them to still make a huge profit.

[Jan1954]

Way to go, Vanessa! Vent your frustrations upon them! :D

[v.wells]

And to add: I also told them that if they can place banner adds on the home page that are as annoying as h***, then the least they can do is put their own banner up proclaiming "Upgrading or technical difficulties with such and such - please bear with us". I also remembered to mention that I belong to a great genealogy forum along with thousands of others from around the world and that many had voiced complaints and/or switched companies.

Jan - I aim to please anytime :D

[susan-y]

Well Done Vanessa!!!

Maybe you'll be receiving a free subscription. |biggrin|... Then we will all phone, email, snailmail. whatever.|laugh1|

Sue

[sandiep]

usually I am quite a defender of A but just lately its new search is driving me nuts.....I go back to old search for any sense.............forgot tonight went to Military to seach and it kept giving me peoples photos..........very nice they were but no *** use to me.
ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*********
feel better now thanks for listening going to bed now sandie

[Sue Mackay]

I got my first view of their 'New Look' site and search engine this morning. Yuk!! I was hoping to find someone in the 1881 with a fairly unusual name, so didn't enter anything but the name. Imagine my suprise to be told I had 11,578 hits!! I tried it for a bit but got nowhere, then noticed they had a feedback form, so I clicked on it and gave them an absolutely lousy report. I then noticed I could opt to have the old search options back, so did so. (I then got two hits for the name in 1881!) Let's hope they don't remove it any time soon, though perhaps if enough of us send back a lousy report on the new one.....

[Procat]

And that is the response I gave them over a month ago when I was asked to complete a survey.

Actually from memory my response was that the new search sucks and get rid of it please. Worked a treat - not. :)

[Sue Mackay]

And that is the response I gave them over a month ago when I was asked to complete a survey.

Actually from memory my response was that the new search sucks and get rid of it please. Worked a treat - not. :)

Question 5 on the survey asked you to tick what you liked best about the new format. I didn't tick any of them. When I pressed submit they said "You haven't answered question 5", so I ticked Other and wrote "Absolutely nothing"

What really caused me to scream was when you typed in the Christian name a bubble would pop up asking you if you wanted to use some other feature, and it totally obscured the Surname box so you couldn't continue typing until you'd cancelled the bubble. Reminded me of that awful feature of Word, long ago cancelled (but I have to remember how to cancel it each time I load a new version) that pops up every time you write "Dear Sir" with "It looks like you want to write a letter. Would you like some help?" Grrrr.

[Procat]

Great location for it. Now I wonder why it doesn't appear over one of the advertising banners rather than of a data entry field. :D

[susan-y]

I got my first view of their 'New Look' site and search engine this morning. Yuk!! I was hoping to find someone in the 1881 with a fairly unusual name, so didn't enter anything but the name. Imagine my suprise to be told I had 11,578 hits!! I tried it for a bit but got nowhere, then noticed they had a feedback form, so I clicked on it and gave them an absolutely lousy report. I then noticed I could opt to have the old search options back, so did so. (I then got two hits for the name in 1881!) Let's hope they don't remove it any time soon, though perhaps if enough of us send back a lousy report on the new one.....

I think alot of people have complained, but they still keep it there. :D I got a " we're sorry you don't like the new look, but with use you'll get used to it " letter from them! Everytime I go to the site I say a little prayer that its still there and then I switch back to the old search...between the complaints etc. you think they would catch on. Seeing you have thousands, and sometimes hundreds of thousands hits you would think they would change things. When I tried to be more specific, I got no matches!!! |jedi|

Sue

[raineshoe]

I do find Ancestry useful, ie a lot of info in one place, but like everyone else here the new search is the pits :(

Also, sent to tell them it was rubbish, but doubt they will listen |shakehead

[Thomasin]

Again, on fmp, only the 1851, 1861 and 1891 censuses are available - three-sevenths of the service, and it has been like this for four days. I renewed my subscription only last Friday, and have emailed them to ask whether an extension will be granted. Bet it won't...

Thomasin (grumpy)

[Barnzzz]

I do like Ancest**'s customised home page thingy, I've got the things I use the most all in one place. It saves me loads of time.

Sue

[v.wells]

Yes customizing the hompage is a timesaver once you figure out how to do it :D I haven't tried the 1984-2005 Births yet today but maybe they are still working on it.

[Copper]

I will need to use Ancestry for my one name study but I am planning to go to the library for that experience. At least if I get frustrated I won't have spent any money out.

[beachbaby]

Mine has been so slow hereabouts that I have gotten up and walked away from it, or simply shut it down. Am totally p****d off at the moment - have the day off from work due to the snowstorm we have coming up the coast and wanted to sit and play as hubby is off to work. Doesn't look hopeful! Frustrating to say the least! And absolutely hate the new search they have come up with.

Teri |wave|

[beachbaby]

I find that between 9 - 12 GMT on weekdays is the best time to use A** after lunch everything slows down. It is possible to revert to the "Old Style" search if you dont like their new style - I suspect that running the two systems is probably what is slowing everything up. And the list of searchable databases has moved from the homepage which is annoying.
Still it keeps us on our toes!


I agree about the new search, as previously stated, but never thought that the slowness (here in America also) might be due to running 2 systems. That and all the damn ads they seem to be running in their sidebars. I just cancelled my US membership - will probably reup next month when I start tackling my husband's Canadian forebears (world membership for a month), but for now, I'm only thru Feb 4. Just getting sick of sitting here watching it spin its gears.

Just venting - you guys are all saying exactly what I have been thinking this morning.

Thanks!

Teri :)

[beachbaby]

And to add: I also told them that if they can place banner adds on the home page that are as annoying as h***, then the least they can do is put their own banner up proclaiming "Upgrading or technical difficulties with such and such - please bear with us". I also remembered to mention that I belong to a great genealogy forum along with thousands of others from around the world and that many had voiced complaints and/or switched companies.

Jan - I aim to please anytime :D


Right there with ya, agree totally! Have had the same issues with their tech aid (they have a nerve calling it that).

[susan-y]

I have got so I have a game of spider solitaire on the go at the same time and play it between clicks of the mouse|laugh1||laugh1|

Sue

[Peter_uk_can]

I haven't had mega problems with download speeds, but I do wonder about their search engine technology.

I don't have a great deal of confidence in the search engines ability to actually find a record and as for the transcriptions...... maybe if the head of the family is called Ducharme, would it be a good bet that the surname of their children may be the same and not Fudarzeme ?

[Astoria]

I just found a Phoebe, plain as a pike staff on the image transcribed as Minte.

[susan-y]

Hmmmm...Last night I found a transcriber who doesn't cheer for Fulham... they had Fu*ham|blush|( one letter to the left of the "L" )
I guess they don't have proofreaders.... I have found SO many mistakes

Sue

[v.wells]

Serves them right for sending it out of country to have it transcribed. Some names I see are obviously errors but I won't spend 10 credits just to report the error!

sorry I was moaning about the 1911 census not ancestry, since I've already done my bit for that!

[v.wells]

It is FINALLY working!

[susan-y]

It is FINALLY working!

Don't hold your breath, Vanessa.... I find it is much worse in the late afternoon, early evenings... I Really hope I am wrong....

At least you are able to get somewhere right now...:)

Sue

[v.wells]

|soapbox| Ancestry is currently working on fixing a bug or something in the Complete BMD "Births" section now!! I have just been on the phone again with them and was told it should be up again soon. I thought I was seeing things or not when I went to trawl my favourite index and lo and behold it was gone! I may fall to pieces now as my plans have been foiled yet again! |5cups|

Soon I hope they will leave well enough alone as it will be all fixed!

[Flossy]

Hi folks,
I'm new here - and I was delighted - well, sort of, to read through this thread. Like everybody else, I've been having tremendous trouble with A***; it's always slow loadings 'cause of the banner adverts, but this past week - my BP has gone through the roof |banghead|

I had begun to think it was my computer playing up - now I know different. My subs're due for renewal in April ..... is it worth renewing |help| Seems fmp is just as bad.
They know they've got us - 'cause we need 'em

Flossy :)

[v.wells]

I just wasted 10 credits for an "0 results" for an electoral roll look up on fmp. I will probably get a world sub with A in Mar as I am finding some links to other places now and it is only a bit more cost than what I pay now for 2 separate subs. My personal preference is A* as FMP is too strange for me! At least with 192 you can get results free unless you want the details. I just take that info and search 118.

Right now I'm not happy with brickwalls smashing me all over. I have to keep thinking up other alternatives. Damn those rellies!

[v.wells]

The Complete Birth Index for 1915 and up is now under the Banner for Complete BMD 1984-2005. They have not changed the title yet but the techie just ran me thru on where they were and how to use them. They have added 15 million new names and done a different indexing procedure but at least it is working. They are still refining the site and indexes and should have completed all the scans by the end of the year:D

[Browneyes]

Ooooh! |jumphappy

Browneyes