Which family tree site is the best?

Question

Ive started my family tree on genes reunited and I have about 500 names in it. I'm thinking about becoming a paid member on there. But that got me wondering which website is the best value for money.

I don't really want to pay loads, £20 or under would be ideal but I would go up to £30 at the most.

Obviously it would be easier for me if i didn't have to copy my entire tree from one site to another but I would do it if I can get more for my money!

Answer 1

I researched (successfully) for over 20 years, before I ever subscribed to ancestry.com (US), but finally did, for the census and other records there. I can't comment on what genesreunited has.

I will comment on your other part... your family records are yours, can be stored on your own computer at home, and don't need to be online, anywhere, unless that is your choice. Having watched information copied, altered, "taken", etc.. I personally feel more comfortable not placing my database anywhere.

This does not limit me in ANY way from sharing my information with relatives, either on an individual ancestor basis, or emailing them a gedcom of my file. I think long and hard on the second..because nearly 20 yrs of work, WAS taken by another person, not a relative, and blatantly ignored a copyright that was shown for the benefit of the family association. (the info was not from a gedcom but a printed book/draft).

Research is based not in your tree or someone else's tree.. but the actual documents that are the core source of the facts. The value of any subscription service is those records. Posting your tree is an option, not a necessity.  

Answer 2

I would have saaid that your best bet would be  to use a genealogy program like Family Tree Maker , Roots Magic or Family Historian . You can then research usiung  on line sites such as Genes Reunited or Ancestry by submitting your tree as a gedcom . You cazn also submit to Rootsweb World Connect using your gedcom . You then control it yourself .  

Answer 3

i found genes reunited very useful and have found many family connections on it.  but for searching ancestry.com is excellent value for money.  its not cheep but i couldnt have done half the research i have with out it.  not unless i didnt work and had loads or spare cash to travel round the country looking through parish records etc.

Answer 4

Looks like you are getting into the search so I would buy a genealogy program and keep my complete records in it.  If you buy one like Family Tree Maker, you can upload it to their site.  Make your changes on your local copy and reupload the current data.

This way you have it, it's backed up, its yours and you can enter a lot more information in the program than you can keep with the online ones.