Comments on: Ancestry.com Announces New Washington DC Scanning Facility

By: Robert Esch

Robert Esch — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:22:22 +0000

I would like to know if the Civil War Pension Files at NARA will be made available to Ancestry members. Those files are invaluable. Unfortunately I had to pay $75 to obtain the complete file for one of my relatives, and so I would only ask for another ancestor’s file unless it were critical to my research. The pension file for my GG grandmother’s first husband included a document which identified her rapist, whose child was a half-brother of my G grandmother. I still maintain contact with a descendant of this half brother. After all, we can’t choose our ancestors. Bob

By: J. Gates

J. Gates — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:39:01 +0000

I am very new to this site, and rather new to genealogy-although I have done it off-line via family members and records for years, and have other family on this site and others that are reasearching as well.

My point?

I agree with MikeF. And others here.

About being able to connect with extended data regarding my older ancestors.

I do not care about the “Stars” They get enough attention. I want to know about MY family.

Can we maybe try to reach back a ways with these databases and “scanners” and get to the meat?
Don’t need the fluff.

J.Gates

By: Webblend

Webblend — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:33:47 +0000

I think its time for Ancestry to sharpen their pencils (or the equivalent) and try getting the US 1850 Federal Census for Pennsylvania correct before they take on any new databases. Maybe its their search engine that needs improving? I can find folks on other sites that cannot be found on Ancestry. Come on Ancestry, you can do better!

By: Roberta Baum

Roberta Baum — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:55:45 +0000

Gee, I didn’t know that John Wayne’s wife was 14 years younger than he was! Keep it comin’, Ancestry.

By: mj Taft

mj Taft — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Just reading through the comments…OK, I am wondering has anyone successfully found some form of family members through this DNA test that has been adopted and has no known biological family?

By: Ida

Ida — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:37:31 +0000

Jim #16

I am so with you on the updating. To have to go back to each state and each city to see what has been added takes up so much time. There is no reason they can’t let us know exactly what the update is. When they send out surveys I always add that. I haven’t had a survey in a very long time. They act like they want to know how to make things better but I don’t buy it anymore.

By: jim condon

jim condon — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:04:09 +0000

I just wanted to add to Ida’s comment. The city directories are a great resource, but when they are “updated,” why can’t Ancestry specify the new additions? Just a put a “new” sign next to the most recently-added directories!

By: Andy Hatchett

Andy Hatchett — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:37:44 +0000

Ida Re: #13

They get the microfilm from whatever source owns it- be it state, local, federal government, or private companies.

When most of these thngs were microfilmed it ws just to be sure ther was a copy. They were not filmed with the idea that later genealogists would make use of them so it didn’t matter if a city directory was spread over 3 or more rolls.

By: Betty Gibson

Betty Gibson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:00:43 +0000

LOOKING FOR MY GRANDPA THAT WAS BURIED IN SWINK OKLAHOMA. MY DADS NAME WAS ROBERT WILLIAMS,BUT NEVER TALKED ABOUT HIS DAD.

By: Ida

Ida — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:08:45 +0000

Andy #11

So where do they get the microfilm from?

I think my frustration is all the broken promises. I renewed a few months ago and haven’t gotten my moneys worth this go around. It is just so frustrating because they won’t give a straight answer. They are really good at dancing around it.