Family history website Findmypast hs recently completely revamped its pricing structure creating an interesting subscription offer for anyone wishing to research their family history.
Previously, the website had four subscription prices for members which each offered different access to records. Now Findmypast has turned things around, offering two pricing structures that are all about how you access the records, not which records you access.
Findmypast's two new subscription packages are Family Tree, which costs £9.99 per month and their Everything package which costs £24.99 a month. Both packages, in theory, offer access to all of Findmypast's records, but the Family Tree package only lets you access records via hints linked to your tree. The Everything package is the same as Findmypast's previous 'Premium' package and lets you search all of the records and newspapers on Findmypast independently as well as through hints.
Both of the packages offer a 7-day free trial.
If you already have a subscription to Findmypast then you can continue to subscribe to that package. For example, if you have a Plus package (that did not include newspapers or the 1921 census) or a Pro package (that did not include the 1921 census), you can currently continue to subscribe at that level. However, if you let your subscription lapse, you will only be able to resubscribe using one of the two new subscription packages.
Here are the details of the new Findmypast subscription offers:
Findmypast 'Family Tree' subscription package
£9.99 monthly auto renewing
Findmypast's 'Family Tree' subscription is aimed at family historians who want to build a family tree but don't feel confident with searching independently for records. As you add details to your tree, the Findmypast algorithm will suggest possible records for your ancestors. You will be able to view the transcripts and the original records (including old newspapers and the 1921 census) and attach them to your tree if you think they are the correct record.
Pros: The Findmypast Family Tree subscription is great value for offering access to billions of records and will suit people who want a simple, more passive approach to growing their family tree.
Cons: You are entirely reliant on the Findmypast algorithm for finding the right records for your family. Although you can use the record search options outside of the family tree area, you can't see records independently or attach them to your tree. Again, with the newspaper collection, you can view free newspapers, but beyond that you will only have access to newspaper records that have been indexed and added to the Findmypast database.
Findmypast 'Everything' subscription package
£24.95 monthly auto renewing
£59.99 quarterly auto renewing (equivalent to £19.99/month)
£199.99 annual auto renewing (equivalent to £16.67/month). Annual subscribers get a 15% loyalty discount on renewal each year making it even better value for those who want long-term access.
Findmypast's 'Everything' subscription provides access to everything that Findmypast offers, including their vast newspaper collection and access to the 1921 census for England and Wales. Findmypast has a very impressive collection of British records but this package also includes all of their Irish and overseas records. It is basically the equivalent of their 'Premium' package and they have kept the pricing the same.
Pros: The Findmypast 'Everything' subscription package will give you access to millions of records and newspapers, some, such as the 1921 census for England and Wales are exclusive to Findmypast.
Cons: Some people will find the price steep compared to some of the previous Findmypast subscription packages.
