General Chat

Since renewing at beginning of year I have not used it - however an hour ago I decided to try the new records they have. Nice if I could get in - I get home page and when I try to sign in - get this page is not available.

Oh, and just this minute I have received another e.mail along the same lines, as I am sure many of you have too.
This one is from a company we see at most Fam History fairs. Their website carries a similar promo (for the same 'A N Other' company as I mentioned in my above post), with the opening lines...

Dear Ms Karen ___,
Recently there has been much discussion in the media about users struggling with changes to new website designs. If you are thinking of swapping from another genealogy site, _________ is offering a competitive upgrade with £50 cashback!

Interestingly, this morning I received a promotional e.mail from 'A N Other' genealogy website with the opening line ....

"Are the recent changes to some family history sites getting you frustrated?"

No kidding! Clever marketing. I guess they've got wind of the frustrations experienced on the new FMP website ;-)

Sorry namelessone, I should have given the link.

Sorry KenSE, I have just found a link to the Easter newsletter which didn't come up when I searched for it.
http://lostcousins.com/newsletters/easter14news.htm#Findmypast

He's right, the best way to try it out is to redo some old results - unfortunately it doesn't always work and not all the PR's that WERE there are now available (Lincs).

I had another go at it last night and found my way round a bit better but.....we shouldn't be struggling like this!

Having to give training sessions beggars belief!

I've never known a site so difficult to use. I'm sure a lot of people will be put off using it again.

KenSE

If you mean the newsletter of 4th April then it was written before a lot of people were changed over to the new site.

I have re read the newsletter and can't actually see any useful advice in it.

There are sooo many issues with the new site . Often it is like arriving at a fork in the road, the sign post tells you that you can reach your destination by either route- what it doesn't tell you that one of those will end in a dead end in the middle of nowhere.

WDYTYA magazine tried to get some sensible answers to questions but I have now seen a comment that the Magazine staff are now to meet FMP face to face. FMP are to do training sessions with staff at the TNA and SOG have arranged training with them - this is NOT a good sign.

Having said all that - at long last FMP now seem to be acknowledging comments on their own Forum - it will be interesting to see how long they keep that up.

It could be worth reading the latest Lost Cousins newsletter to get some advice on using the new system.

Have used freebmd recently for older details, takes ages on FMP.
Liz

It's still too much like hard work for me and I don't use it much now and I have almost a full year World sub to use. :-(

Can't log in to FMP tonight.

For starters: Ancestry has West Yorkshire PR's- FMP says it is on the way......

FMP have Herts P R's and Glamorgan PR's, they did have Lincs but apparently they are not currently available! They also have the British In India bmd's.

Maybe others can add to the list.

I've just tried out FMP's brand brand new Royal Navy Seamans records guess what..ERROR!

Thanks Jax. I had compatability off for FMP but had to add it then remove it before it worked :-S

I'm still finding it a faff but will have to persevere as I have 11 months to run.


Out of interest........some members have FMP and Ancestry, what is on one that is not on the other?

Yes I can view Images now

I had the compatibility view setting on for FMP....now removed it and it is fine

I'm still finding it user unfriendly, very long winded. :-(

Has anyone managed to view a census image yet?

Last night after reading that email I decided that I would try and resolve the difficulties I had with FMP as I have 7 months membership left to run.

First I read the "news" part and that explains some of the areas and how to search them.
Secondly I waded through the 60 pages of the A - Z to see which records were available.
There were records there I hadn't even heard of and some were really interesting.

I did initially have trouble getting back to the page I was on and ended up back at the beginning each time :-S :-S :-S
but eventually I solved problem by holding back button and seeing the history and clicking on the correct page. Duh didn't even know I could do that.
You learn something new every day ;-) ;-) ;-)

Happy searching :-D :-D :-D
Von

Seems the FH companies don't want most of us anymore :-0

www.deseretnews.com/article/865600580/A-glimpse-into-the-thriving-business-of-family-history.html?pg=2

Says something, doesn't it, when they have to run courses for (presumably) experienced researchers.

FMP also had to run a training session for staff at The National Archives.

That's a very interesting article namelessone.

I received an email from the Society of Genealogists today saying that they were running a course on using the new version of FMP.
Sadly it is fully booked .
Von






:-( :-( :-( :-( :-( :-(

OK. I can they've sort of made a start on my point 2. It's on their home page. But I do wish they'd make their old records sets better before adding new ones.

This blog from the editor of the WDYTYA mag makes interesting reading:
http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/blog/magazine-team/office-collective-passion-family-historians