Is there any way I can get on Ancestry.com without a credit card?

Question

Or get access without paying the premium. (they are offering a free trial right now,, WITH a credit card, which I don't have). Any ideas?

Answer 1

The last time ancestry.com gave me an offer for a free trial, it was without a credit card.

However, have you checked at your local public library? Also, museums, community colleges and colleges oft times allow the public to use their computers to access ancestry.com (heritagequest or others), so check around.

Also, there are the Mormon genealogy sites around the country and around the world.

Answer 2

If you want a credit card, Get a prepaid one from Greendot .  You can get the card and load it at places like walgreens. You just add money to the card. Its easy thats what I do for my ancestry. No bill.

Answer 3

Often your public Library has an account with Ancestory.com or HeritageQuest.com.  You do not have to pay to access from a library.

Answer 4

Join your local library and you can have free access.

Answer 5

If money/credit card is an issue, try the following:

familysearch.org is free

register and follow the simple instructions.

You can build your family tree and store it on a CD.

familysearch does not offer on-line storage.

rootsweb is a free Q & A forum, which is owned by ancestry.com

You may be able to connect with ancestry members, researching the same family lines as you.

After you have connected with someone, ask if he/she will invite you to be a guest, to view their tree. Once you accept, you will be able to access their tree and info.

Guest can only view the tree, not add or delete info.

My daughter-in-law has access to my tree as a contributor and can add/delete info.

If your local  library subscribes to a genealogy site, a library card will give you access to it.

You can always post a query here concerning a specific person/ancestor, if you have enough data for tracking.

Y!A members, who also subscribe to a genealogy site, are usually very helpful.  

Answer 6

They have some free pages, like the surname origin one.

They want a credit card to keep people from opening a Yahoo! or Gmail account as "John Smith 1", using Ancestry free for 14 days, opening up Yahoo! or Gmail account as "John Smith 2", using Ancestry free for 14 days, opening up Yahoo! or Gmail account as "John Smith 3", using Ancestry free for 14 days, . . .

You can send them a check or money order.

Some public libraries have Ancestry accounts.

They spend a lot to accumulate their data; all those transcribers in India, squinting into the microfilm and typing away at 60 wpm. They need to get a return on their investment or they will go bankrupt, then we will be back to ordering census microfilm rolls from the FHL, waiting 6 weeks, reading them, finding we need the next county over, ordering the microfilm, waiting the 6 weeks, . . . . .

Answer 7

This happened to me. They charge your credit card 1$ and then reimburse you through the credit card company to make sure the card is legal. I doubt without a credit card that you can use Ancestry.com, but if they have a customer support section of their website, refer there to either the FAQ or send a personal support request.