So while we’re all self distancing by staying at home as much as we can, numerous genealogy organisations are giving you free access, or special offers, or discounts while to the COVID-19 lockdown is on. Here’s those that have been announced recently:
Ancestry Library Edition
Many societies and libraries are offering at home use of the Ancestry Library Edition if you are a member. Check with your local genealogy societies and libraries to see if this is an option they offer.
British History Online
The British History Online website has made ALL of its records free to access, including the Calendar of Close Rolls (1244 to 1509) and the Calendar of State Papers Domestic (1547 to 1704). This offer runs until 31 July 2020. More information about it here.
Family Tree Magazine (US)
Family Tree Magazine (the US one, not UK one of the same name) is offering a free download of their March/April 2020 issue to give those stuck at home some great reading. You can download a copy of the magazine from here.
Free First Steps by TheGenealogist
Begin a lifetime of discovery with the FREE First Steps package. Free Genealogy Records are the ideal way to research your family tree and start the journey to find your ancestry.
The Free First Steps package includes:
– Complete Birth, Marriage & Death records index for England and Wales 1837-2005
– English & Welsh Census Records to see where ancestors were living in 1911
– TreeView, the online family tree builder
– Image Archive of churches, places and people from the past
– A high quality monthly digital magazine packed full of stories, case studies, social history articles and research advice
This First Steps package will give those beginning their journey on the compelling road to discovering their ancestors some excellent family history resources. No card details, no subscription, just completely free. You can get started here https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/first-steps/
Internet Genealogy Magazine
With the COVID-19 situation, and with the majority of people being quarantined to their homes, we thought we would take this opportunity to offer you this FREE issue download of Internet Genealogy magazine so you would have something to add to your reading collection. There are no strings attached. Click here to download your FREE issue today.
Isle of Man Newspapers
The iMuseum are giving everyone FREE access to the Manx newspapers from 1792 to 1960 and other publications. You can find a full list of the newspapers and publications on their website www.imuseum.im/newspapers/. During the period of free access, there will be no need to subscribe or create a login account. For more details click here.
Legacy Family Tree Webinars
Legacy Family Tree Webinars wants to do its part to help genealogists across the world who are self-isolating at home right now. So they figured that genealogy class each day during the month of April will help as a diversion. So each day they are unlocking one Legacy Family Tree webinar from the membership library to be available to watch for FREE. I know we’re already halfway through the month, but here’s the schedule for the rest of April, so you know what’s coming up… (remember the date/day is US time, so Australia is basically a day ahead). Click here to see what’s free to watch today.
April 14 – Confirming Enslaved Ancestors Utilizing DNA by Melvin Collier
April 15 – Organize Your Online Life by Lisa Louise Cooke
April 16 – Foundations of Irish Genealogy 1 of 6: The Raw Materials of Irish Genealogy by John Grenham
April 17 – Genealogy for Novices: Where Do We Begin? by Linda Woodward Geiger
April 18 – 5 ways to make things on your screen larger by Geoff Rasmussen
April 19 – Marriages Here, There, and Nowhere: Finding Gretna Greens and Borders by J. Mark Lowe
April 20 – Combining DNA and Traditional Research – In-Depth Case Studies by Michelle Leonard
April 21 – Documenting Native American Families in 19th and 20th Century Records by Angela Walton-Raji
April 22 – Spreadsheets 101 – Excel-lence in Genealogy by Mary Kircher Roddy
April 23 – Polled! Finding your Ancestors in New South Wales Colonial Muster and Census Returns by Carol Baxter
April 24 – Ten Brick Wall Tips for Beginners by Marian Pierre-Louis
April 25 – Using Snag-It to Annotate a Screenshot by Cari Taplin
April 26 – The Five-story Fall: Correlating Indirect and Direct Evidence to Extend the Pedigree by Debra Mieszala
April 27 – Organizing Your DNA Results (updated!) by Diahan Southard
April 28 – An Introduction to Spanish Surnames by Daniel Smith-Ramos
April 29 – Photography for Genealogy by Nicka Smith
April 30 – Finding Your 17th Century Ancestors in England by Paul Milner
Living DNA
Not sure that this is a COVID-19 sale, as these prices have been the same for a while now, and there’s no date given as to when they end … but grab them while they’re on sale.
– Ancestry Kit – Normally AU$169, on sale for AU$129 BUY NOW
– Wellbeing Kit – Normally AU$199, on sale for AU$139 BUY NOW
– Ancestry & Wellbeing Kits – Normally $259, on sale for AU$179 BUY NOW
London Topographical Society
All the London Topographical Society’s newsletters are now available to read for free. The archive dates back to 1975 and is packed with fascinating information about the history of London’s buildings. You can view them here.
My Heritage DNA
MyHeritage DNA are having a “Stay at home DNA special” which really is a super-duper price. So if you have been meaning to take a DNA test, or need to stock up for family members, at almost half-price it is a real bargain. Normally priced at AUD$129, currently it is just AUD$66. The special offer runs until 30 April 2020. BUY NOW
MyHeritage InColor
You’ve seen the MyHeritage colourizing tool, but have you had a go? If not, now is the perfect time to do so. Normally (without a MyHeritage complete subscription) you can only colourize 10 phoos, but now, you can colourize as many photos as you’d like for free, until 23 April 2020. They invite everyone to “pull out your family photo albums and join in the fun.” Colorize all of your black and white photos, for free for a limited time, at www.myheritage.com/incolor.
Ontario History Journal
If your ancestors emigrated to Ontario, Canada, here’s one for you. The Ontario Historical Society don’t miss this opportunity to discover more about the province’s history with free back issues of the 2005 to 2018 issues. Click here to see the list of back issues.
Society of One-Place Studies
The Society for One-Place Studies are offering the latest issue of their quarterly journal, Destinations, free of charge to everyone – not just members. You can download the journal from here.
The National Archives (UK)
TNA are making digital records available on their website free of charge for as long they are closed to visitors. Registered users will be able to order and download a maximum of 50 items over 30 days. The records available to download include:
– First and Second World War records, including medal index cards
– Military records, including unit war diaries
– Royal and Merchant Navy records, including Royal Marine service records
– Wills from the jurisdiction of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
– Migration records, including aliens’ registration cards and naturalisation case papers
– 20th century Cabinet Papers and Security Service files
– Domesday Book
Read more about how to access these records here https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/digital-downloads/.
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine
This one isn’t a freebie as such, but it’ll give you an activity to do while you’re at home. In the past Who Do You Think You Are Magazine has organised a big-once-a-year-event called “Transcription Tuesday” with the aim of choosing several types of records, which people from around the world, sign up to participate in transcribing them. This years event was held in early February, but due to the Coronavirus and so many people being at home, they are currently holding “Transcription Tuesday” every Tuesday (UK time). So keep an eye of their Facebook page to see what records are up next, and sign up for it if you’re interested. https://www.facebook.com/whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine/
