Ancestry old and new search

Discussion in 'Research Hints' started by Dee Dee, Jul 9, 2013.

  1. Dee Dee

    Dee Dee Well-Known Member

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    Ancestry are phasing out Old Search.
    They say that only a small amount of people use it.
    This is because you are automatically put onto New Search and Old Search is difficult to find.
    Those of us who have used both are not happy.
    Old Search gives much better results etc.
    They have set up a page where you can comment.
    Google search old search Ancestry or similar and there will be links to it fro several website.
    Dick Eastman and Lost Cousins are two.
     
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  2. Doug

    Doug Administrator. The Main Man. Staff Member

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    Thanks Dee Dee
     
  3. Helen

    Helen Member

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    I use both too as you say the old search brings up better results sometimes a shame they try fixing things that aint broken
     
  4. Mealymoo

    Mealymoo A Busy Lizzy

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    After seeing the link from Lost Cousins I've already left my comments, question is - will they listen? I suppose if a majority of subscribers are in favour of the 'old search' facility they may, just may listen to us the customer ;). If they remove it I'll seriously think about not renewing, I'm paying £200+ and find it worth it at the moment but I really do not like the 'new search'.
     
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  5. Dee Dee

    Dee Dee Well-Known Member

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    Apparently they are listening. It is through complaints,apparently, that they have put up the Questionnaire. Why try to fix a perfectly good facility. I am all for change when necessary but this is not. I wonder how many people involved with these decisions actually do research. I suggested they got rid of the new search if they were that concerned and keep the old one! Nice to know there are others that share my view.
     
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  6. Malcolm Webb

    Malcolm Webb Well-Known Member

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    I, too, am happy with Old Search but must admit to now using New Search by default. I don't like change where it is not necessary but realised that New Search would be a prelude to phasing out Old Search. I sometimes have the situation where it is easier to find things with Old than New -- I hesitate to say Old finds things that New can't because I'm sure THEY will argue that the search algorithm is the same for both versions.

    I'm not sure Ancestry are serious about canvassing opinion -- I could not find a link to the survey questionnaire on the site. I had to get to it through Dick Eastman's site. If I am allowed to post the link, here it is:-

    http://
    ancestry.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8ubNXU8IiQcxqV

    (Note from Admin: made the link non-clicky)

    All the best,
    Malcolm Webb
    Lincoln UK
     
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  7. Mealymoo

    Mealymoo A Busy Lizzy

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    I feel same as you, Malcolm. Also I couldn't find the questionnaire on Ancestry's site.
     
  8. mugwortismy cat

    mugwortismy cat Tenacious to the End!

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    i couldn't get it to work and eventually found out that a sneaky 'D' fell off the end of the link

    http://
    ancestry.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8ubNXU8IiQcxqVD

    (Moderators Note: made the link non-clicky)
     
  9. Yeates

    Yeates Active Member

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    In another forum, I expressed frustration with ancestry's changes. Someone, rationally pointed out to me that much of it is to accomodate better handheld technological devices. I accept that with resignation---it is my choice to yet shun such. As a library user (they don't see a dime from me...), I doubt they care about my thoughts, although there was a feature on the library's ancestry's home page which I used. Since that earlier experience with their new 'look', I've been to the library and it seems to be a slight more responsive---maybe that is my resignation clicking in.---Yeates
     
  10. Sandiep

    Sandiep Successfully Supports Searches!

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    the questionare is not the easiest thing to fill in ....bit like the new search!!
    I have been using it because previous experience tells me no matter what we
    say it will be here to stay...............It is a pain because it doesnt do what you ask.........even the exact search isnt! if you put 2 names in it reverses them uses 2nd name only wrong area wrong date...........you really have to trawl and get inventive...........trouble is they have so many useful records, so I persevere with laptop on lap...tele on... cat snoring beside me(sometimes hubbie as well)...pop back into here for a laugh & a resto_O
     
  11. Mealymoo

    Mealymoo A Busy Lizzy

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    I fail to accept that reasoning from Ancestry?? I do not understand why they (Ancestry) cannot keep both, and if they wish to please all customers, keep both they will do :)

    My ipad has no trouble with 'old search' but I don't have a smart phone, so unsure whether they have the same ease of use.
     
  12. Ma-dotcom

    Ma-dotcom A Bonza Little Digger!

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    Seems to me I've heard this song before- IGI Search- R I P.
    I guess all things update & change (other than me) gives us something to notice & gripe about.
    Sandiep said it well.
     
  13. Mealymoo

    Mealymoo A Busy Lizzy

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    True Wendy, but there's a huge difference between a free site changing it's search facility, and a site which we pay for not listening to it's members and changing regardless of what paying members think. I still say why can't Ancestry keep both 'old and new search'? Afterall, they've been offering the choice for 2yrs or more.

    It's bad business practice to not listen to customers, especially when there's other choices, if Ancestry do decide to do away with 'old search' they may find customers leaving in droves. FMP and others must be rubbing their hands.

    I don't need to tell you the subject is my ' bete noire' ;)
     
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  14. Ma-dotcom

    Ma-dotcom A Bonza Little Digger!

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    I do agree with you Lizzy re paid & free sites, am just becoming accustomed to losing all the good things in life. ie corner grocery stores, local butcher shops etc. all gobbled up & made obsolete by greedy rich take-over companies.

    I thought i was going to 'do without Ancestry this year, but instead changed my ethnicity & carried on.;)
     
  15. Mealymoo

    Mealymoo A Busy Lizzy

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    Same as UK then, Wendy. Sad isn't it? :(.
     
  16. Ma-dotcom

    Ma-dotcom A Bonza Little Digger!

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    It is Lizzy, & occasionally I hear from people wishing to come here & get away from things in the Uk, same old..same as. Hotter here tho' I think,.:)
     
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  17. Mealymoo

    Mealymoo A Busy Lizzy

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    It appears 'Old Search' will definitely be phased out :mad:. Here's a passage from an email I've just received from Ancestry.

    As we begin to make these improvements, we will no longer maintain two separate search systems for the site. Maintaining two systems limits the resources we can use to make improvements and increases the complexity of every improvement we try to make. Additionally, continuing to maintain the two systems limits our ability to direct more investment into other areas like adding more record collections and correcting existing collections.Based on that, as a part of the work this year we will be bringing together the two search experiences into a single search experience on Ancestry.co.uk. We hope to bring forward the best features of both the old and new search systems into the consolidated experience to facilitate the transition for our users and to improve the overall search experience. We expect to discontinue the old search function as a separate experience within the next 6 months.
     
    Yeates likes this.
  18. MollyMay

    MollyMay Knows where to find the answers!

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    I got that mail too, complete with a link to complete their survey, which I have already done, so they obviously have no means of checking who has completed it more than once.

    I hope it does mean 6 months and will not disappear in a couple!
     
  19. Mealymoo

    Mealymoo A Busy Lizzy

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    I completed the survey - link via Lost Cousins. The email received today from Ancestry inviting me to take part in a survey is a different survey, one which (I think) is being sent out to their members who prefer old search.
     
  20. MollyMay

    MollyMay Knows where to find the answers!

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    I only looked at the first couple of questions and thought it looked the same as the one I did before:oops: , perhaps I should fill this one in as well to be on the 'safe' side. Not perhaps - I will, not that I think it will save the old search now that a decision has been taken - shame:(
     

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