Monday, October 22, 2007

NEHGS and Ancestry team up

I got an email announcement from NEHGS (the New England Historic Genealogical Society, I am a member) that says:

"The New England Historic Genealogical Society is pleased to announce the launch of the NEHGS & Ancestry.com collaboration, making available for the first time special pricing and other member benefits.

"This collaboration is one we hope marks the beginning of future programs and specials that bring together some of the most important and vital research information to amateur and professional genealogists everywhere. We are excited to offer the following specials to our members and friends:

"To start, all current NEHGS members can purchase Ancestry.com’s U.S. Deluxe membership, normally priced at $155.40, for only $99.95! That’s a tremendous savings that allows you to begin accessing some of the most important online information anywhere.

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"Additionally, if your NEHGS membership has lapsed, or if you’ve been putting off joining the NEHGS family, this is a terrific time to rejoin. You can purchase both an NEHGS annual Research membership and a U.S. Deluxe Ancestry.com membership together for one low price of $155.40. This incredible opportunity is available for the first time ever, and brings together two of the most valued and important genealogical research tools available today. Please note that current NEHGS and Ancestry.com members are not eligible for this price.

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"NEHGS is also pleased to offer a special price of $60 for current Ancestry.com members who want to join the NEHGS family. Ancestry.com recognizes the incredible wealth of information available at NEHGS and we welcome their members to help share in our wonderful history.

"We encourage all our members and friends to take advantage of these special prices today! Visit our website at www.NewEnglandAncestors.org to learn more or to sign up for this incredible offer. Please note that this offer is only valid from www.NewEnglandAncestors.org, and only until December 31, 2007."

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Well, that doesn't help me, since I subscribe to both. But it may help others who have pondered joining NEHGS or subscribing to Ancestry.

There is nothing in this announcement concerning sharing databases across the firewalls - you still have to be a member of the site with the databases.

NEHGS has some unique databases that are available only at repositories in New England, at the Family History Library and FHCs on microfilm, and on their web site, www.newenglandancestors.org. They include the Massachusetts Vital Records to 1849, the Massachusetts Vital Records from 1841 to 1910, the full text of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, etc.

I do wish that NEHGS would put more vital records, deed indexes, probate indexes and church records from CT, RI, VT, NH and Maine online - many of these are available on microfilm at the FHC, but are not, in general, in online databases (there are CT and RI vital records at www.NewEnglandAncestors.org). NEHGS online is pretty much Massachusetts oriented.

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