28 November 2017

Major Changes at Findmypast

(Megaphone image by Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
Today Findmypast announced that they are now offering customers the opportunity to sign up to three new package tiers (Starter, Plus and Pro) - and the 1939 Register is (for the first time) available to monthly subscribers to the Plus and Pro packages.

All three options (Starter, Plus and Pro) aim to simplify Findmypast's offerings for the UK market. They have been specifically tailored to family historians. Whether they are looking for a simple way to begin exploring their family history, to take existing research further or to uncover detailed facts about the lives of their ancestors, customers will be provided with access to the records they truly need at each stage of their research.

The 1939 Register is now available to monthly subscribers for the first time; and both 'Plus' and 'Pro' subscriptions include unlimited access to that wartime 'census'. This essential resource, only available online through Findmypast, plugs a vital 30-year gap in British records, and it is the only surviving record of the civilian population of England and Wales between 1921 and 1951.

The new subscription options include:
  • Starter package to help beginners on their journey. This offers the simplicity of starting with essential birth, marriage, death and census records, and it includes full access to Findmypast's family tree hinting system, allowing users to quickly trace their family's story back to 1837. As it's designed specifically for beginners, the package also includes Findmypast's search functionality, support content, live chat and instant help - and all new subscribers will receive a free Getting Started guide. Prices: £8.95 per month or £72 per year.

  • Plus package with 1939 and all the essentials for the keen hobbyist. This is designed for those wanting to take their research to the next level - which is why, for the first time, Findmypast has included the 1939 Register in a monthly subscription. This unique record set will now be available to even more members of the genealogy community, enabling more people than ever before to discover their civilian ancestors in England and Wales at the start of World War 2. Beyond the 1939 Register, all parish, military, education, institutions and social history records as well as all electoral registers, directories, and travel and migration records will help Plus subscribers delve deep into their family trees. Prices: £12.95 per month or £120 per year.

  • Pro package to bring the serious genealogist's research to life. This package contains everything the serious or professional genealogist needs to explore the lives of their ancestors in detail. It includes access to all of Findmypast's global record sets and advanced resources such as PERSI, the 1939 Register, and the largest online collection of British and Irish newspapers in the world. And with priority customer support, exclusive Webinars and advanced education aimed at experienced genealogists, Findmypast will help Pro subscribers expand their research every step of the way. Prices: £15.95 per month or £156 per year.

I've had a World subscription to Findmypast for many years. It will be interesting to see what proportion of new subscribers choose each of the three subscription packages.

(This post first appeared on https://uk-australia.blogspot.com/2017/11/major-changes-at-findmypast.html.)