Cheap Ways to Use Ancestry.com & Other Sites
Free or Discount Access to Subscription Online Genealogy Sites
Jul 7, 2009
The large online genealogy websites have actual historical records and advanced search engines, giving researchers quick and easy ways to find ancestor's documents. Two of the largest, Ancestry.com and Genealogy.com, offer free access to certain databases, but to search actual document images and transcriptions, the cost can be $150 to $360 per year.
The good news is that free or low-cost access is available.
Public Libraries and Archives have Genealogy Subscriptions
New genealogists are often surprised to find out how many different libraries and archives have commercial subscriptions to Ancestry.com and HeritageQuestOnline.
HeritageQuest is only available to libraries, not individuals. The library version of Ancestry is a little different than the home subscription, but has most of the same information. Libraries and archives pay a subscription fee that covers the multitudes of users they get.
Most state libraries and archives, as well as large genealogy libraries, have subscriptions free to the public. Some local public libraries do, too – genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies in America, and it's a valuable resource for their cardholders.
Public access to the online databases can be in person or on the internet, depending on the library's rules. Cardholders at one library might be allowed access to HeritageQuest from their home computers, while patrons at another library might have to visit in person to access Ancestry. It's worth checking the local library and other nearby libraries, and if it's not available, gather genealogist friends and request it.
Free Trials to Subscription Genealogy Sites
The major genealogy websites offer free trials, usually for 7 or 14 days. Genealogists will have to enter credit card information, and the card will be charged when the trial period ends. It can be a good deal, though, with preparation.
- Gather all the information possible before signing up for the free trial. Organize it and make lists of the ancestors to find and what facts and details to search for.
- Don't start the free trial until your schedule is clear enough to take full advantage of the time.
- Put a note in a prominent place to cancel the subscription on day 6 or 13, just to be safe. They're good about cancelling, although they may try to get callers to extend. Just make sure not to forget to cancel or the credit card will be charged.
Discount Ancestry Subscription with Family Tree Maker
Family Tree Maker, a genealogy software program produced by the parent company of Ancestry.com, sometimes comes with a discounted subscription. For those who want Ancestry, it can be worth buying FTM even if a genealogist already has a program – the combined cost may be far less than standard Ancestry subscriptions, and the software can be sold or given away later.
Watch Family History Television Programs
Television specials on family history will sometimes offer a reduced-rate subscription to their viewers. One genealogist still has a $9.95/month Ancestry subscription after watching a special on Irish heritage several years ago. This seems to happen only with specials, not regular television series.
Combined Offers from Genealogical Societies and Genealogy Websites
In the quest for new customers, subscription-based genealogy websites will often collaborate with historical and genealogical societies to offer discounts on membership. These may be a discounted subscription when joining the society, a discounted society membership when subscribing to the genealogy site, or a discounted subscription available to existing members.
Look for regional or ethnic-based genealogy societies such as the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Jewish Genealogical Society, Palatines to America, etc., for available promotions. Whether it's worth it will depend on each researcher's determination of the value of membership benefits.
Subscribe to Genealogy Blogs
The best genealogy blogs are run by people who are not only professional genealogists, but who keep tabs on what's happening. If they hear about special offers of any sort, they'll post it on their blogs. In addition to actively browsing for genealogy website discounts, subscribe to a few blogs and let them help.
Readers with other ideas are encouraged to share them by adding a comment below. Just remember that comments which include profanity, URLs, or "text speak" will not be approved.
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