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Free Ancestry.com Access at Local Library

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Free Ancestry.com Access at Local Library
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Lstreettriple on 28/04/2013 - 17:25 ancestrylibrary.proquest.com (726 clicks)
Last edited 28/04/2013 - 20:26

If you just want to use ancestry.com.au to search and download documents I found its free to use at my local library (Balwyn VIC) and I believe its free in all library's. I was able to get a library card on the spot with a valid drivers licence - even thought the address on the licence was not in my local council area. Then use their computers to search and download documents to a USB drive.

Normally you have to give them a credit card to get 14 days free access and then its $24.95 a month

Here's a link to whats available in WA
http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/find/guides/family_history/Family_…

And here's a description of the library edition
http://www.nswnet.net/e-resources/ancestry-library-edition

My my case the library had a bunch of links to family history sites on their web site but no mention of ancestry.com so I guess the message is if in doubt - try it.

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  • clubpony1181 on 28/04/2013 - 18:49

    Nice! thanks.

  • jdr on 28/04/2013 - 19:17

    Don't think it is free access in Brisbane, at least I can't find that information. Libraries are State or Local Government based so the free access could well vary state to state, council to council.

  • mattypoika on 28/04/2013 - 19:41
    +3

    Pretty sure you can use it for free at these centres in Australia as well

    https://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator

  • bhm133 on 28/04/2013 - 20:40
    +4

    That is a great find! Libraries are great places, even if just chilling and reading the latest mag. Our last library in Richmond was small but awesome. We now live in Sydney and wish that the Lane Cove library had better hours.

    Will try the ancestry site when next at the library.

    Wonder if I should bring the 3 bottles of wine and the free doninos pizza with me (yesterdays crap bargain of the day).

    • barghunt1 on 28/04/2013 - 23:04

      Big fan of the library too. So much great free stuff to borrow.

      • danyool on 29/04/2013 - 22:54
        -1

        It's not 'free'! You're already paying for it in your rates or your rent (by extension) so go make the most of it. Oh wait.. no.. don't fill up my local.. :-)

  • leiiv on 28/04/2013 - 21:58

    What is the geographic coverage of ancestry.com? Does it focus only on the european origins?

    • streettriple on 28/04/2013 - 22:02

      My experience has been US, UK Australia and New Zealand. Much of the Aust and NZ stuff was electoral roles. Frankly I expected more stuff after they way the promote it on the TV so I was glad I didn't fork out for it.

      • -.- on 28/04/2013 - 22:27

        Yeah hardly anything on Asian, African or South American unfortunately.

      • leiiv on 29/04/2013 - 10:17
        -1

        How about the indigenous people of US, Australia and New Zealand? Are they marginalised in the database as well?

  • Wally on 28/04/2013 - 22:11

    It has been FREEly available at most libraries i've visited .. FOR YEARS!

  • videoman on 29/04/2013 - 06:38

    Anyone know of a good ancestry site thats free anywhere?

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2013 - 07:57

      For a different approach, try Trove. Once you have compiled the names of your relatives go to Trove and see if they pop up in the Newspapers.

  • Fizzydrink on 29/04/2013 - 09:07

    I thought it was only free over the ANZAC extra long weekend? Thats what their ad on TV has been saying.. but if its always free at libaries, then bonus!

  • youknow on 29/04/2013 - 11:10

    I have never tried this site before. I just gave it a whirl. In my case, very disappointing. Nothing on any of my family. Not even on me, and I'm 3rd generation Aussie on one side and 4th generation on the other. Very poor considering what they would normally try and charge you. Others may have more luck of course.

    • streettriple on 29/04/2013 - 13:24

      Totally agree - I was expecting much more. Only thing I really found was electoral rolls - and they are old ones. I think > 25 years

    • adumb on 29/04/2013 - 13:24

      They don't release/share information on persons still living.

      • streettriple on 29/04/2013 - 14:29

        Found this on voters lists:

        Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980
        New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981
        New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849
        1901 New South Wales, Australia Census
        1891 New South Wales, Australia Census
        New South Wales, Australia Historical Electoral Rolls, 1842-1864
        New South Wales, Australia, Returns of the Colony, 1822-1857
        1828 New South Wales, Australia Census (TNA Copy)
        1841 New South Wales, Australia, Census
        1828 New South Wales, Australia Census (Australian Copy)
        New Zealand, Maori Voter and Electoral Rolls, 1908 & 1919 ]
        Canterbury, New Zealand, Provincial Rolls, 1868-1874

        • adumb on 29/04/2013 - 18:27

          yep, you really need to get your own info for few generations first (great grand parents etc) if possible.

        • youknow on 05/05/2013 - 00:04

          Yeah, I have all of my families information going back 3-4 generations on both sides, but I still did not find anything on any of them (direct line - parents/grant parents/great grand parents etc). Which was quite amazing to me. Maybe I'm an exception to the rule.

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