USING ANCESTRY FREE AT HOME AS A REGISTERED GUEST
Brenda Kellow
October 7, 2012
When I informed my readers that the 1940 census index search was free on Ancestry.com, I was not aware so many of you would panic when you saw the sign-in screen. The company wants to know who is using their valuable database. Every user must at least be a Registered Guest. This level allows free access to a limited number of resources. You simply type in your first and last name and your email address on the sign-up sheet.
Overview of the Registered Guest’s availability:
· Access certain free databases, 1880 U.S. Federal Census Index; WWI Civilian Draft Registrations; etc
· Use the Ancestry Member Trees feature to build a personal member tree with GEDCOM capability
· Share your Family Tree with family or friends
· View another user's Family Tree if you received an invitation from that tree's owner
· Respond to someone who contacted you, requesting permission to view your Family Tree
· View any record or photograph linked to a Family Tree to which you have been invited, provided the person owning that tree has some kind of paid account on Ancestry
· Email members who have chosen to share their email address publicly, and to respond by email
· Post messages on the Ancestry Message Boards
· Access valuable family history resources in the Ancestry Learning Center
· Continue your learning with tips from their experts on the Ancestry.com Blog.
· Learn more about your genetic genealogy with AncestryDNA, currently available by invitation only
· Canceling a Registered Guest account
Registered Guest accounts are designed to give unlimited access to free services provided by Ancestry; therefore, there is no need to cancel these accounts. When you have concluded using your Free Registered Guest account, simply discontinue use. You will not be charged any fees when accessing a Registered Guest account from Ancestry. Some participation on Ancestry may require a paid account.
This is all you need to do to use Ancestry.com at home, on a limited basis, at no cost. It is free at the library to those with a current library card.
You can also go online to view the free index and digitized census records at FamilySearch, https://familysearch.org/1940census/?icid=fsHomeSearch1940Scouts.
FREE SATURDAY SEMINAR: Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc. will present a free program on October 20. The topic will be “Genealogy Collections at the McKinney & Haggard Libraries.” The speakers will be Susan Kusterback and Cheryl Smith. This program will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Program Room at the W. O. Haggard, Jr. Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, TX 75075-3712. Join them for lunch afterwards at TGI-Friday’s on Preston Road. For additional information, please check the website at www.genealogyfriends.org. For questions, please call (972) 836-9436 or e-mail [email protected].
HUNTING LIVING PEOPLE HINT: Birth records may not be available but you still have resources. Consider using yearbooks online and in the library, church directories, profiles from social networks like Facebook, current newspaper birth and wedding announcements and current public records.
SCRUMPTIOUS PANTRY SELLS HEIRLOOM CONDIMENTS: Sales to consumers are booming. The owner, Lee Greene, searched recipes for condiments made by original immigrants arriving in the Midwest over the past 200 years. The three-year old company now sells the premium product in over ten states. She hopes to have future heirloom products from the east coast in three years. Ms. Greene’s website is http://scrumptiouspantry.com/.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].