General Chat

The GRU census records are the same as FMP. The transcriptions are better than Ay - when something does not appear in Ay it is well worth using the GRU index search. Ay has a lot of stuff but is worse for mis-transcriptions than the Grauniad. Ay hardly ever edits the typos with member updates although they do add them to the index.

The GRU census indexes are fast (and free) and have the prize feature of bringing up place of birth and current residence on the same search and not a lot of guesswork in the style of Ay.

It is difficult to see how a census record can be basic or not ... it is as it is. A GRU annoyance (especially for those using credits) though is that if a record extends over two pages GRU will charge for two pages.

GRU's range of databases is very limited compared to Ay but is adequate for England & Wales 1837-2006 which is all that many people need. OTOH for those with a tree spread around the world going back a long way than plainly something else is needed.

Family Search has made huge upgrades in its web site - it even offers the option of hosting a tree. As it is free with such useful stuff as US Census, England & Wales parish records 1540-1840 etc than those not using it are missing a trick. They have dumped all the dodgy IGI stuff in an attic well hidden on the site.

Access to Ay is free in the UK at many pubic libraries.

cheers

I've been on this site for over 10 years and I don't think I have ever used the records on here so I can't comment on accuracy or otherwise. I have heard that they are very basic compared to some and, it's also worth checking for free sites, such as online parish clerks, before spending money.

As with all the other helpers and researchers on here, I use other sites to help fellow members of GR.

I don't use GRU records but often use the census search which is free. I have never had any trouble with it.

GRU is hosted on a Microsoft IIS server within the Bright Solid network. IIS has a tendency to throw up errors if there is any delay on the connection.

In several years I have yet to see anybody complaining abput this kind of error stating their connection speed. If it is a poor wifi connection or over a USB key then problems would not be suprising.

GRU does not NOT have servers anywhere except the UK. Thus people accessing the site from Canada, SA, Oz, NZ culd also experience errors from connection delays especially if the ISP does not provide a solid connection anyway.

Best fixes:

Make sure yr connection is at least 6Mb/sec
Clear out cache
Disable 3rd party toolbars
Run a recent browser excluding old versions of IE ( 9.0 and older )
Ensure no malware running ( malware bytes, free, recommended fix )
Check no errors on hard drive - run a SMART utility and defrag once in a while.
Don't use XP.

I have that one Jax., I prefer fluffing around ancestry but thought that was a good deal and have had a lovely time in their newspapers.

It is cheaper on here but you only get the basics....census's and bmd's,everything else costs extra... So as long as you don't want travel... Military... British newspapers and I think parish records...it would be OK

But you can find some census's and bmd's up until approx 1970 on free sites anyway

I believe fmp were offering a year's sub for £50 recently.... Which is less than genes and included everything British

Budgie


I have never used the records on GR ................... bec ause they simply did not have any when I joined.

I had my subscription to ancestry ................... and swear that site is better


others swear by fmp



it may be what one is used to ...................... but I spend more time researching for people who can't find their ancestors, and who are paying the high sub



In other words ........... it's fine to go for the cheap if the cheap provides what you need :-)

Sylvia ,Why would I want to use Ancestry when the records I need are on GR at a much cheaper rate.
I don't really understand your question.

not sure why you are using the records on site????????????



try fmp or ancestry

Totally agree Polly - constant technical issues with GR; come December Ancestry can have my business, I've had enough of these amateurs!

yes I am sick of it wont be renewing for deffo whats the point if we cant use the site sent them a very angry message

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/general_chat/thread/1343322

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/general_chat/thread/1343387

I have seen two other threads about it.

I have already contacted them but was curious to see if anyone else was experiencing the same problem.

If you get consistent errors then you should contact support. It is unlikely that anyone from GR will see this thread on this board.

I am fed up to the back teeth with errors on this site. I cannot search Census Records as when attempting to do so I keep getting 'an error has occurred' and will be investigated.

This really is the last straw