Exciting news from ...

Findmypast has recently made changes to their search engine and project manager Paul Dunlop says they have made some improvements and along with that is a bit of a "learning curve". So, before you plan your next trip into Auckland Libraries to access findmypast you may want to watch this short video or read the article Your handy guide to findmypast’s new search on their website.

Image from findmypast news published 21 March 2014.

The video introduces the new search platform that will provide the user with a "flexible approach" to searching the collections.

As of the beginning of April, the library edition of findmypast is allowing users to start their own accounts similar to the how customers access The British Newspaper Archive website within the library -- "this means they'll be able to use our personalised services and save their own family trees." If you already have an account with findmypast, you will now be able to log in to your own profile on the library computers. For those customer who don't want to set up an account, you will still be able to continue to access records as a guest by using the search all records option on the new-look homepage.

A preview of  findmypast's new homepage.

On an entertaining note, if you are an iPhone user findmypast has introduced an app, I Once Was, according to the developers "it is a fun take on what your job might have been in the past and what you would have looked like." Simply answer two questions and upload an image of yourself, so I gave it a go. Hmm, present day librarian but historically . . . a sailor! Ships ahoy everyone.

Karen

POSTSCRIPT:
We encourage interaction and feedback on all Auckland Libraries' blog. However, apart from that one comment below, we won't be posting any further responses that are complaints about Findmypast. 

While we understand and sympathise with people's frustrations with the current difficulties, this is not the best place for people to vent their concerns. These should more properly be directed to Findmypast's customer services team.

We have been reassured that issues are being prioritised and dealt with accordingly, and hope to see a much improved new Findmypast website in the near future.

We are very excited by the new datasets that Findmypast have released recently, and are waiting in eager anticipation in what is going to come soon.

Kind regards

Seonaid Lewis
family history librarian, Central Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries