Two new services

Hermy

Today on irishgenealogynews.ie I see a new service being offered by Timeline Research where they can source documents in Dublin for those who can't travel there themselves. A fine idea but their website states that they charge €19 for civil records which can already be ordered from home for €4. A bit steep methinks.

The other thing I came across on the Who Do You Think You Are Live website. It's called Rootsbid and the idea is that people who need research done in the land of their ancestors but can't travel post their project on Rootsbid and interested parties from the relevant country can bid for the work. I think it's an good idea and it will be interesting to see if it takes off.

pinkypinky

I agree the former sounds a bit steep but people are put off by the archaic ordering system. Most people don't have a fax machine now, and don't realise they can easily turn their computer into one.

Waitsian

pinkypinky wrote: »

...they can easily turn their computer into one.

Oh? Do tell please.

Is it by using something like MyFax or Windows Scan and Fax? I thought the latter needed a dial-up modem, and sure who nowadays has that?!

shanew

It's a good idea and a neat interface, and a euro cheaper than official HSE online system for BMD certs - plus they use Paypal - so should alleviate the credit card concerns for most people

Coolnabacky1873

Sites like that Rootsbid one can be good for the pros. I used to use a similar one here in the US, Genealogy Freelancers, and would get a nice bit of business from it. Don't know if Rootsbid has the same feature, but what makes GF work well is that it has an escrow facility - the money is held and not released until both parties are happy.

Re the new cert service - if people don't know or care that there is a 4euro option then the pros are entitled to charge whatever they like to get certs on people's behalf, of course, it has to be a price point that people are willing to pay.

Hermy

Coolnabacky1873 wrote: »

Re the new cert service - if people don't know or care that there is a 4euro option then the pros are entitled to charge whatever they like to get certs on people's behalf, of course, it has to be a price point that people are willing to pay.

I know caveat emptor always applies but surely such gross overcharging (a Euro short of five times the price) only re-enforces the notion of rip-off Ireland.

shanew

I think it's the other type of records that will be most useful to people outside Ireland

afaik Ancestry charges about £23 for England/Wales certs... they cost c £9 from their GRO

KK Supercats

There are plenty of other pro genealogists in Ireland who offer a BMD cert collection service for anything from €12-€15. €19 seems steep for order and collection.