Fold3 Membership

[rgtaylor61]

I'm weighing getting a membership. For those of you who use it woud you say its worth it. I find that so much of my ancestry work is related to military service interests especially the Civil War but does it offer more than access to the CMSR?

 

[bdtex]

I'm weighing getting a membership. For those of you who use it woud you say its worth it. I find that so much of my ancestry work is related to military service interests especially the Civil War but does it offer more than access to the CMSR?

Not sure what "CMSR" is but fold3 is absolutely necessary for my enjoyment with Civil War pursuits. Absolutely worth it to me. I get my money's worth.

 

[rgtaylor61]

COMBINED MILITARY SERVICE RECORD
Thank you so much for the input. I believe id enjoy it as well

 

[John Hartwell]

The CMSRs of all states are not yet digitized on fold3. I would strongly recommend buying a one month subscription, and then deciding whether an annual subscription is worth your while. It's possible you may not need more than a month or 2, if your search us well organized.

 

[huskerblitz]

It's great for the states that have uploaded their records. Not worth it for the states that haven't. I've been less impressed with being able to find good records for post-Civil War ancestors, but that could be because I'm not used to searching those types of records.

 

[bdtex]

I would strongly recommend buying a one month subscription, and then deciding whether an annual subscription is worth your while.

I know they used to offer free trials for short periods too. I think I did that in the beginning then subscribed after the free trial ended.

 

[Paddy140]

My local city library has a genealogy area which offers free access to Fold3 & ancestry. The only down side is that you can only have a 90 minute access before computer logs you off. But I just come back the next day or so and pick right back up.
Cheers! Paul

 

[John Hartwell]

I know they used to offer free trials for short periods too. I think I did that in the beginning then subscribed after the free trial ended.

Keep an eye out the ext month or so. The holiday season is just the time they might offer a free trial week.

 

[RaggedAssSecond]

The CMSRs of all states are not yet digitized on fold3. I would strongly recommend buying a one month subscription, and then deciding whether an annual subscription is worth your while. It's possible you may not need more than a month or 2, if your search us well organized.

Keep an eye out the ext month or so. The holiday season is just the time they might offer a free trial week.

@John Hartwell makes good points and with the upcoming holidays Fold3 might offer their free trial or discount. I joined Fold3 when they offered a 40% discount. It has been extremely useful for some of my research projects and not so much for others. I

 

[huskerblitz]

If not, usually around military holidays (Veterans, Memorial) is when they seem to offer the free trial periods.

 

[lupaglupa]

I use Fold3 daily. But then I do a lot of research for other people. With my own research I only need Fold3 periodically. I think @John Hartwell has a good recommendation. Give it a try and see how it works for you. It's easy to start with a one month membership. You can cancel if you find you aren't using it and you can always come back when you have built up a list of searches you need doing.

 

[Library Lady]

As @Paddy140 suggests, it might be a good idea to see if your library has access to Fold3. If it does, here are some things it might be worthwhile to check out with a librarian or IT services tech:

• Can you access Fold3 from home using your card as a log-in or can you only access it in the library? The digital services or database page of the library's website might answer that question by specifying in-library use only, but if it does not specify, then ask.
• Is there a time limit on how long you can use the program per day? @Paddy140 mentions a time limit, but I'm not clear on whether that is imposed by the program itself or by the library through its public computer use policies. Either way, it's good to know.
• Does the library license for Fold3 allow you access to all of the program's "bells and whistles" or is it merely the basics?
• Is a tutorial on how to use Fold3 offered, either through Fold3 directly when you sign in or through the library?

 

[SWS]

I've read that the Indiana archives have yet to be available in such a ready fashion.

 

[nc native]

I have had my Fold3 subscription for a few years and I am keeping it. I am the genealogist for my SCV camp and Fold3 saves me a lot of time that would be otherwise spent running back and forth to libraries for sources to prove eligibility for SCV memberships. It has also helped me in my own family research and finding proof of service for my Civil War ancestors. One of the most fascinating discoveries I made was a job application letter that one of my ancestors ywrote to the War Department in Richmond looking for work as a bookkeeping clerk. I discovered which line of the family tree is responsible for my family's love for accounting. There are four CPAs on my father's side of the family tree: my father, my brother and two cousins.

 

[huskerblitz]

I've read that the Indiana archives have yet to be available in such a ready fashion.

Yep, and it's frustrating to research Indiana soldiers.

 

[DixieRifles]

The CMSRs of all states are not yet digitized on fold3. I would strongly recommend buying a one month subscription, and then deciding whether an annual subscription is worth your while. It's possible you may not need more than a month or 2, if your search us well organized.

Most of my research is for Confederate soldiers. Many of the Union records have not been scanned. However, I did research some USCT regiments which ARE digitized.

BTW, I use FOLD3 quite a bit. Ive used it to search WW2 Missing Air Crew Reports and browsing excellent Air Force (WW2) aerial photos.
It also allows you to add annotations to images. Just last week, I was contacted by a person in Michigan who had an ancestor in the same Miss. cavalry as mine. He saw my comment and send me a message. So you can correct or clarify a service record for other users to read.
One problem I have is the Browse/Search feature isnt as user friendly — just may be me and my method of searching.

 

[huskerblitz]

Has anyone else ran into renewing issues with Fold3???

My bank card continues to reject the renewal even when I let them know it's a legit purchase. Even changed to my credit card and they rejected it! And for whatever reason I can't direct purchase from the site.

 

[lupaglupa]

That's odd. I have not had a problem. But I always use a credit card, not a bank card.

 

[huskerblitz]

That's odd. I have not had a problem. But I always use a credit card, not a bank card.

Like I said, even my credit card rejected it. It's not the first time I've had issues renewing, but normally it fixes it the first time.

 

[lupaglupa]

Well that's frustrating.