FindMyPast Overview: A Vast Collection of Genealogy Records
If you’re interested in exploring your family’s heritage and diving into your roots, FindMyPast is a great option. It offers a wealth of historical records from all over the world, making it a valuable tool for uncovering your family history.
At the core of FindMyPast is its vast collection of genealogy records. These include everything from birth, marriage, and death certificates to census data and military records. These resources allow you to uncover fascinating stories about your ancestors and gain a deeper understanding of where you come from.
That said, while FindMyPast is a solid choice, its collection might not be as comprehensive as some other genealogy platforms, like AncestryDNA. This is especially true for certain regions or time periods where records may have been harder to maintain or access.
FindMyPast Features
1. Free Genealogy Services and Family Tree Builder
Findmypast allows you to start building your family tree without needing a subscription, offering free access to various essential records. These include U.S. census information, vital records like births, marriages, and deaths from the U.S. and Canada, and Irish Roman Catholic parish records.
Choosing a subscription with Findmypast, however, brings extra advantages. Subscribers get access to a wider range of data and tools, including identifying shared ancestors. This subscription deepens your family history exploration, offering more extensive and detailed information, and enriching the overall quality of your research.
2. British and Irish Historical Records
Findmypast’s database contains more British and Irish historical records than any other genealogy or heritage testing site. Going back as far as the U.S. Revolutionary War and even the Dark Ages, these records include newspapers, immigration records, court records, military reports, and work contracts.
3. The 1939 Register
The 1939 register details the precise location where 41 million people in England and Wales were living just before the Second World War. You can see original handwritten registers, interactive neighborhood maps, and lists of household members, and potentially discover long-lost relatives.
How It Works
Findmypast provides access to a comprehensive array of records, such as census data, birth, marriage, death records, military documents, and beyond. To start searching, simply input details about your ancestors, such as names, places of birth, or birth years.
When you discover a relevant record, it can be viewed in full on the website. Access to some records might require a subscription or the use of pay-per-view credits, although many are freely accessible. The platform also allows you to construct and maintain an online family tree with its builder tool. It offers hints and suggestions tailored to the information you provide, aiding in the discovery of further records and details about your lineage.
Furthermore, Findmypast boasts an extensive archive of historical newspapers from the UK, Ireland, and the US, enabling searches for mentions of ancestors or general browsing to understand the context of the times. The community section offers opportunities to connect with other genealogists, share findings, participate in forums and discussion groups, or attend related events and webinars.
You have the ability to search through millions of records, which include US census data from 1790-1940, public birth, marriage, and death records from the US and Canada, and over 7 million Irish Roman Catholic parish records at no cost. However, subscribing will grant you access to significantly more data and additional features.
Additionally, the “1939 Register” is worth mentioning. It features original handwritten documents, interactive neighborhood maps, and lists of household members recorded on the eve of WWII.
Privacy
When it comes to online genealogy research, privacy is an important consideration. Here’s what you need to know about Findmypast’s privacy policies and practices.
First off, Findmypast takes your privacy seriously. They have measures in place to protect your personal information, including encryption and other security protocols. This means that any information you enter on the site is transmitted securely and kept safe from unauthorized access or disclosure.
When you use Findmypast, they may collect certain types of personal information from you, such as your name, email address, and payment information if you sign up for a subscription. They may also collect information about your genealogy research, such as the names and dates of your ancestors.
Findmypast uses this information to provide you with the best possible genealogy research experience. For example, they may use your research history to suggest new records or resources that could be helpful for your research. They may also use your personal information to communicate with you about your account or to send you promotional offers or newsletters.
One important thing to note is that Findmypast does not share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes without your consent. This means that you can trust them to keep your information confidential and not use it for any purposes you haven’t authorized.
Plans & Pricing
Findmypast offers a variety of subscription options to fit different budgets and research needs. Here’s what you need to know:
- Plus Subscription: This plan is perfect for those who are just starting out with genealogy research. It costs £11.25 per month (billed annually), and gives you access to the 1939 register, as well as the Irish, UK parish, military, and travel records.
- Pro Subscription: This is great for those who want more advanced research tools and access to more records. It costs £15.42 per month (billed annually), and gives you access to everything in the Plus subscription, plus access to worldwide records, and newspaper archives spanning three centuries.
- Premium Subscription: This subscription is the most comprehensive option and is ideal for serious genealogy researchers. It costs £16.67 per month (billed annually), and gives you access to everything in the Pro subscription, as well as unlimited access to the 1921 Census and the ability to access all areas of Findmypast.
You can get a 7-day free trial with its Plus and Pro subscriptions so you can test out the service before committing to a subscription. Plus, they frequently offer special deals and promotions, so be sure to check their website for the latest offers.
It’s also worth noting that Findmypast offers access to many of its features and services for free. For example, you can start building your family tree or search for some records completely free of charge.
Support
Findmypast provides phone and live chat support during working hours on weekdays, it also claims to answer all emails within 24 hours on business days. Indeed, my contact form submission received a response within 24 hours (if only to refer me to Living DNA):
I also received rapid responses via the live chat channel, although the agent had trouble convincing me why I should pay more for Findmypast’s DNA test rather than Living DNA’s:
For self-support, a decent set of FAQs should answer most of your questions, so you probably won’t need to contact the support team at all.
Bottom Line
Findmypast is an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore their family history. With a massive collection of records and powerful search tools, it’s easy to uncover new information about your ancestors and build a detailed family tree.
It has a powerful search engine and an intuitive interface with helpful hints and tips that make it easy to get started with genealogy research, even if you’re a beginner. And even though some of the records might be hard to find or unavailable, it’s still a great tool for anyone who wants to get into genealogy research. Plus, you can test it out for free with a 7-day free trial.
FAQs
What kind of records can I find on FindMyPast?
FindMyPast has an extensive collection of genealogy records from around the world, including records from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and more. Its records include birth, marriage, and death certificates, census records, parish registers, military records, newspapers, and more. The records cover a wide range of time periods and can provide valuable insights into your family history.
How accurate is FindMyPast’s record-matching feature?
FindMyPast’s record-matching feature uses algorithms to suggest potential matches between records and your family tree. While this can be helpful in identifying new connections and branches of your family tree, it’s important to carefully review and verify any suggested matches before adding them to your tree. Sometimes, the algorithms can suggest matches that aren’t accurate or don’t fit with your family history, so it’s important to do your own research and make sure the suggested matches make sense before accepting them.
Can I use FindMyPast for free?
FindMyPast offers a free family tree builder that allows users to create, edit, and share family trees with others. However, access to the site’s genealogy records and other premium features requires a paid subscription. FindMyPast offers a range of subscription options, including monthly, annual, and pay-per-view options, to fit different users’ needs and budgets.
How can I get help with my genealogy research on FindMyPast?
FindMyPast offers a variety of support resources for users, including a community forum where users can connect and share tips and advice with each other. The site also has research guides and expert advice from professional genealogists. If you have any issues or questions, you can contact FindMyPast’s customer support team for assistance.
