Signing up and Starting the Search

It’s easy to start using Findmypast, especially with a 14-day free trial. When you sign up, you’ll be asked to enter the usual details: full name, country of residence, email, password, and billing information. Take note that the trial allows you access to only two billion out of over eight billion historical records that make up Findmypast’s archive; although you will be able to look through a wide variety of content nonetheless, from military records to newspaper clippings and more. After 14 days, the subscription will auto renew, though you can avoid that by canceling the trial before the two-week period is up.

If after the trial you find that Findyourpast is your cup of tea, you might want to consider upgrading to their premium plan; especially if you’re serious about chasing down family history leads. Not only is Findyourpast a great resource in terms of the contents of its archive, but it’s also known for its very helpful research guides and intuitive search tools. With a Premium plan, you get access to the entire Findmypast archive, and you’ll be delighted to find that a sizable number of their records are scans of original and sometimes even handwritten documents–considered to be the gold standard to genealogy research. Worth noting, though, that Findmypast deals with records from mostly English-speaking territories; if you’re from anywhere outside the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, this may not be the best service for you.