I'll add my 2 cents on this topic. I use all the previously mentioned pay sites and have found good value in every one of them. They are all sufficiently different that even when they overlap some I still find value in checking the multiple sites. What you will find of value to you on a specific site depends greatly on what type of records you are looking for and in what location and what time period. I personally am glad for the diversity of sites and competition as we users get a much better product because of it.
My favorite "pay" sites for the majority of people that I research "right now" are Ancestry, Footnote, World Vital Records, Newspaper Archives, and Genealogy Bank. Godfrey may have greater value if you research the New England area and their site is in great need of a face-lift. I have dropped my subscription to it and use the FHC access to Godfrey if I need to use it. I have personal subscriptions to all of the others. The Library editions mentioned that are available through some FHC's (not all small FHC's have the same full access to all of the sites because of a combination of vendor restrictions and costs to FamilySearch) are "almost" identical to the personal subscriptions you may have bought. As an example, at Ancestry you will have a slightly different interface in the Library Edition vs a personal subscription but will be able to access almost 100% of the same material. Regarding World Vital Records and the original query on this thread, I have always found the complete list of databases in a prominent tab right at top center of the home page titled "View All Databases". It is definitely not hidden. If I click it, it brings up an alphabetical listing of everyone of them that includes the Database Title, Category and number of Names in each database. It's actually better than some of the other sites. If your budget is limited, go to a FHC or Library that has access and check what each might have of value to you, then spend your money on the site of greatest value to you personally. One size will most likely not fit all, so choose wisely. As mentioned above, I subscribe to all the above sites and have found that they are all worth the time they save and the money they cost so I can access them at home. Calculate the cost of one short research trip away from home for 4-5 days with hotel, food and transportation and it will cover the cost of all of them combined for a year or more. I think that Ancestry charges too much, but it is still a cost I am willing to pay for what they offer me. Good luck, Dave Legacy User Group guidelines: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
