Which Online newspaper site?

[JellicleCat]

Any views on which is better, Newspaper (Ancestry) or the British Newspaper Archive (Find My Past)? I already have an Ancestry subscription and dip into Find My Past from time to time - I have an account but not currently paid up. I've got a 40% offer for Newspapers at the moment and am tempted, but just not sure if I should ignore it if t'other one is better.
Any thoughts?

I have both Ancestry and FindMyPast subscriptions.

"I've got a 40% offer for Newspapers at the moment and am tempted, but just not sure if I should ignore it if t'other one is better."

I had a similar offer, six months for £34.99. It depends - sorry, I know that doesn't really help.

For context, I've never had a Newspapers subscription but it is possible to view the transcript of articles on Ancestry without having to pay for a Newspapers subscription.

Given that fact, I've never found it necessary to subscribe to Newspapers to read those articles that are flagged by Ancestry.

However, if you are going to be searching for a lot details in newspapers then it really does help to have a specific subsciption that includes newspapers.

I also got regular offers from FindMyPast after I let my previous subscription lapse. They were offering their 12 months UK Everything subscription for £98 per year instead of their normal £170 so I took them up on that. (There are cheaper deals available if you don't want everything)

This includes all the same stuff that Newspapers includes but also all the other stuff that FindMyPast has.

I seem to find that in some areas of the country, Ancestry are stronger than FindMyPast and the other way round as well.

But there are also areas where Ancestry do really fall down and it was only through having a FindMyPast subscription as well that I was able to trace my ancestors.

A couple of examples. My family mostly come from Gloucestershire and the adjoining counties. Ancestry is, generally speaking, quite strong when it comes to Gloucestershire.

However, Ancestry is totally missing parts of the 1861 and 1871 Censuses for various parts of Gloucester that FindMyPast have. In 1861, some ancestors of mine were living at the Collier's Arms in an area called "The Island" in Gloucester and in 1871 others were living behind the Royal Oak, on the same street. Others were recorded living on St Mary's Square.

The 1861 and 1871 Censuses for that part of Gloucester are available on FindMyPast but not on Ancestry.

There are also similar examples that I am aware of with the 1851 Census in Highnam, and the 1891 Census in Redmarley D'Abitot being available on FindMyPast but not on Ancestry.

These are just some small areas that I have looked at and found Ancestry lacking.

I have also found a lot of records relating to convicts being transported to Australia and also World War One service records (and some World War Two records as well) that are on FindMyPast but not Ancestry.

Frankly, I would say that if you are happy with Ancestry then just use the transcripts that you can read for free on Ancestry. If you really do want to research the newspaper articles that are available then it is probably worthwhile waiting until FindMyPast do another discount offer and signing up with them to also get all the extra stuff they offer.

That's just my thoughts, I'm quite aware that others may think differntly.

Thank you for that very helpful reply Another2Cats .Yes it was the deal you mentioned. In the end I sat firmly on my hands as I decided I really didn't need to spend the money. I will revisit this when the next offer comes round I'm sure.

I agree with your assessment that Ancestry and Find My Past have different strengths and weaknesses. I have used Ancestry for years and prefer its search function, I always find the FMP one clunky. My go to therefore is Ancestry and then FMP if I can't find what I want. FMP also is much better for Scottish records, though I have spent a fortune over the years on Scotland's People.

FMP also is much better for Scottish records

FMP is owned by DC Thomson of Dundee - publishers of Beano and Dandy.

FMP has the British Newspaper Archive, the British Library's newspaper collection.
For my county it has more newspapers and from an earlier date than Ancestry. The British Newspaper Archive was the reason I chose FMP over Ancestry and paid for the top level subscription. If your ancestors in the 19th century lived in a small to medium sized town where people tended to know each other, they're very likely to appear in the local paper at some point, whether for creditable or discreditable reasons.

I think which site you find easier depends on which you are used to. I mostly use FMP and don't like Ancestry. A friend has mostly used Ancestry and finds FMP awkward.