Does anyone do ancestry.com?

[Simba's Mom]

I joined a few months ago, and It's going to take me 6 months (the length of my membership) to even figure this out. I've seen something about a DNA test. How much does that happens cost? Also, what happens after 6 months if I don't renew-does all the info, my tree get wiped away? Can I do anything on the website without a membership? I'm really just beginning here, but I'd love to find relatives.

 

[kanerf]

The test is often on-sale around the various holidays for $100 or so. I get hits from 3rd-4th cousins frequently. I never reach-out, but they get the hit too.

 

[LuvOrlando]

All the info remained after my trial was over and I can go back in and pick up whenever. You can find relatives by entering in all the names you know which creates lots of possible links, and you can message the owners of other trees to see if they are related by blood or marriage. We didn't do DNA through this though, too me it's not secure enough and the data is owned outside of the USA so zero privacy should be expected.

 

[Simba's Mom]

All the info remained after my trial was over and I can go back in and pick up whenever. You can find relatives by entering in all the names you know which creates lots of possible links, and you can message the owners of other trees to see if they are related by blood or marriage. We didn't do DNA through this though, too me it's not secure enough and the data is owned outside of the USA so zero privacy should be expected.

Great! Thanks, that's kind of what I was hoping. DH suggested that I just wait until Ancestry has another trial, then sign up again.

 

[Marionnette]

Great! Thanks, that's kind of what I was hoping. DH suggested that I just wait until Ancestry has another trial, then sign up again.

That doesn't work. My uncle, bless him, was a bit of a tightwad. He would sign up for the trial period and cancel before it was over. His tree would still be there under his login but he could not get another free trial. So he would sign up for a free trial again under a new username and email and create a new tree.

He's been gone a number of years now but I still smile when I see one of his trees pop up because of all the matches we share.

 

[Simba's Mom]

That doesn't work. My uncle, bless him, was a bit of a tightwad. He would sign up for the trial period and cancel before it was over. His tree would still be there under his login but he could not get another free trial. So he would sign up for a free trial again under a new username and email and create a new tree.

He's been gone a number of years now but I still smile when I see one of his trees pop up because of all the matches we share.

Your uncle and I share something-we're both a bit of a tightwad. So I'll just take a break occasionally, then when I see that I'll have some time, I'll rejoin for 6 months. But thanks for warning me that when I do, it'll be at full price.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I joined a few months ago, and It's going to take me 6 months (the length of my membership) to even figure this out. I've seen something about a DNA test. How much does that happens cost? Also, what happens after 6 months if I don't renew-does all the info, my tree get wiped away? Can I do anything on the website without a membership? I'm really just beginning here, but I'd love to find relatives.

My genealogy thread has some tips for Ancestry on it.

 

[tvguy]

I joined a few months ago, and It's going to take me 6 months (the length of my membership) to even figure this out. I've seen something about a DNA test. How much does that happens cost? Also, what happens after 6 months if I don't renew-does all the info, my tree get wiped away? Can I do anything on the website without a membership? I'm really just beginning here, but I'd love to find relatives.

My daughter and wife share an account and have been working on it for 10 years. Paid membership. They got me a DNA test for my birthday, I'm waiting for the results to come back.
An of mine Aunt worked for 25 years on part of my family history, so we had a head start. She even took a month long overseas trip to track down possible relatives. My wife's Great-Aunt worked about as long on part of my wife's side, doing extensive research in the LDS system, so she had a head start too. Just a lot of digging needs to be done.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I have an account there, but never went past the free trial.

I do have an account on Family Search. It's run by the Church of Latter Day Saints, but it's not restricted to just them. It's free, but they ask if you can help input records if you can (i.e. the Census, or military discharge papers for Alabama from 1940-1980...that kind of thing). I try to do 25 records minimum each quarter, personally, but I'm limited because I'll only do English (cause that's the only language I read in, lol) and I try to avoid handwritten items...some people have really bad handwriting!

 

[Deb]

The test is often on-sale around the various holidays for $100 or so. I get hits from 3rd-4th cousins frequently. I never reach-out, but they get the hit too.

full price is $99. They are on sale for most holidays

 

[AlohaNow]

We didn't do DNA through this though, too me it's not secure enough and the data is owned outside of the USA so zero privacy should be expected.

For the Big 3 in the DNA testing world, let's just say 'all roads lead to Utah'.

 

[_19disnA]

I know someone who tried one of those DNA test kits and what they got back was very disappointing (don't know which one they used). Mostly got a lot of generic information about countries/regions where people tend to have similar DNA. Seems like the report they provided were 'off the shelf' summaries that could apply to a LOT of people.

I personally treat my DNA the same as my Social Security # and clearly wouldn't be providing that to some 3rd party no matter how secure they claim the information will be. I could imagine in the future, this will turn out like many of those social media sites who were quietly selling your personal information to various analytics companies largely without your knowledge to make a profit. Who knows where such information will end up?

 

[Dan Murphy]

full price is $99. They are on sale for most holidays

Is that an annual charge or a one time charge?

 

[happily single]

Check your local library. Many offer free access to Ancestary if you have a library card.

once your trial expires your tree will remain, you just won’t have access to it.

I was also very confused on how to make my tree. I stopped when I kept finding information that my Donna (name changed to protect the guilty) was married and divorced from my grandfather. Donna was my grandmothers sister. I was so confused because I found several supporting documents. My grandmother was Karen. Several years ago I spoke with my Donnas daughter who has been working on the family tree very extensively. She filled me in. I may have shared this in another post here on the Dis.

apparently my grandmother met my grandfather at a club when she was underaged. She used her sister‘s (Donna) name. They got married by. Rabbi. She didnt tell my grandfather her actual real name (Karen) or age until she was being admitted to the hospital to give birth to my mother. My grandmother had to call Donna (1950’s) and tell her when she came to visit in the hospital that she was registered under Donna’s name! Donna and my grandfather had to get a divorce so Karen could marry my grandfather. The Rabbi was not happy

 

[CdnCarrie]

I’m on Ancestry and have been on and off with a subscription for years.
When not active with subscription you can log in and see/edit your tree. What you can’t do is access any databases.

 

[HopperFan]

Your uncle and I share something-we're both a bit of a tightwad. So I'll just take a break occasionally, then when I see that I'll have some time, I'll rejoin for 6 months. But thanks for warning me that when I do, it'll be at full price.

I am on Ancestry, I do several trees. I've been on 4 years. I do spend lots of time working on it, I was fortunate to inherit VERY old photos from all sides of the family. I do upload those to share for other family members.

What you can do is watch for a sale. They just had one which was 50% off. Work on it really hard and let it expire. Down the road when you are ready, look for another sale.

I have my account to auto-renew so make sure you check to see how it is set up.


NOTE: It is completely unnecessary to do the DNA tests. I have not done them, no desire.

Good luck! It's a fun hobby and we leave behind info for others.

 

[Travel60]

Word of caution with Ancestry: do your own research, don't trust anyone else's tree. Consider the info as clues then look for the documentation. I've seen lots of bad info....children born years after the mother died, etc. Verify, verify, verify.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Word of caution with Ancestry: do your own research, don't trust anyone else's tree. Consider the info as clues then look for the documentation. I've seen lots of bad info....children born years after the mother died, etc. Verify, verify, verify.

This .

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I don't have a subscription, but I visit the site regularly. I did the DNA test a couple years ago, and it stores all your stuff, and trees etc. without having to pay. I think paying just unlocks more premium type stuff.

As a result of being on Ancestry.com, I have literally run into relatives around the city, it's hilarious. I am glad I joined, it is fun.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I’m on Ancestry and have been on and off with a subscription for years.
When not active with subscription you can log in and see/edit your tree. What you can’t do is access any databases.

Great! By databases do you mean that you can't get any "hints"-those little green leaves? Like today, they sent me to "potential father"?

Word of caution with Ancestry: do your own research, don't trust anyone else's tree. Consider the info as clues then look for the documentation. I've seen lots of bad info....children born years after the mother died, etc. Verify, verify, verify.

Oh, yes, I know! And names suddenly change. It's an interesting way to learn a little history-some small European countries change "ownership", depending on the latest war.
And I really appreciate the library tip about Ancestry. I'll definitely look into that!