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1.4 177 Reviews

Ancestry Complaints Summary

17 Resolved
149 Unresolved
Our verdict: With Ancestry's very poor resolution rate, careful consideration is needed. Research their service comprehensively, and read up on how they handle customer disputes. If you face issues, be prepared for potential challenges in obtaining resolutions and explore other service providers as backups.
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Ancestry reviews & complaints 177

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K
4:58 pm EDT
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Ancestry poor product service received

Hi everyone. I have been writing a family history of our family, going back to England in the 1700s, but got stuck at that point.I purchsed the then latest version of Family Tree Maker, (At the time FTM 2012 Deluxe). The program recommended the use of Ancestry.com for research, so I joined up and paid a subscription. I suspect one of these companies owns the other.
I have foundAncestry.com useless for my purposes so far. They are very efficient at billing, (The money goes out on the day but no receipt is issued), but when I log in to search for information and look like getting somewhere, I run up against roadblocks. I get told I need to upgrade my membership, or I need to go to Ancestry.com.au or uk or somewhere else. When I go to these recommended sites, I am asked to upgrade membership status or rejoin that particular branch. When I click on a link, it takes me to some archive that requires extra payment. So far, i have not been able to download any useful information. Does anyone else have these problems? Can you recommend a genuine better research group that is user friendly and will really give me access to the information i need to finish my book in the few years left where I still possess all of my marbles? This outfit wth their offers of free trial membership and redirections to other payable sites within their organisation are rapidly driving me nuts!
HELP PLEASE!

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Research Associate
, US
Aug 02, 2017 3:40 pm EDT
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I sent for DNA testing, but the results were disappointing. Their database has information mainly about Caucasian people, if you are of Asian (South Asian, Southeast Asian or Far Eastern) they tell you very little about your ancestors. I was told that I am 83% South Asian. That's all. The same answer can apply to nearly 2 billion people. So watch out. Their TV commercial are misleadingly enticing. I had the same experience as the person from New Zealand about being asked to upgrade or for extra payment, and going in circles.

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1:49 pm EDT

Ancestry Will not send an invoice or receipt

I have had a membership for a long time and have used it regularly for my work. I used to be able to email customer support if I had any problems and they would get back to me in a day or two with the answer. I need a copy of my monthly invoice so that I can turn it in to the company I work for as an expense. Customer Support had to email instructions on how to do that because unlike most sites, they don't email you a receipt. It was a little complicated but I got used to doing it every month. Recently they have made changes to their site trying to push more sales of software. In doing so, they removed the email contact for customer support and they removed the ability to print your purchase history (monthly invoice). I called the number for customer support since that is all they offer now, and they were no help. They just told me I was right, that feature was removed. They said they couldn't email me a receipt, I was just SOL. This was actually on my 2nd call to CS because the first rep hung up on me. Very bad customer service! These people on the phone don't know what they are doing, and do not know how to properly handle complaints they are about to get flooded with because Ancestry removed several important features to try to push more sales. I think they are going to find a lot of customers like me cancelling their membership because of this. Also after reading several other customer complaints, I fear they will try to keep billing my company credit card. It has to be illegal to refuse to offer a receipt for services charged.

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9:37 pm EST
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Ancestry Charging credit card after cancellation

Found they have been charging my credit card for a year after cancellation. My fault as the card that was used originally is one that I don't use regularly. When I caught their error I of course called them but was on hold, like other complainants for an hour. Got a snippy representative asking for my cancellation reference number. When I said I didn't have it in front of me, she told me she couldn't help me, other than cancel now. When I said of course cancel AGAIN she asked if I wanted my reference number? This site is a scam! Don't use it. I will go through my credit card company. They aren't getting my hard earned money!

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Beth SoulJourner
Greenbrae, US
Jan 20, 2021 9:21 am EST
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At least you put a stop on them charging your card again. I wonder if Ancestry.com is a Mormon company like Globill because they have a long history of scamming people out of millions if not more each year. I am amazed that FTC and the UTAH Atty Gen have not launched investigations or filed class action lawsuits against companies like Ancestry.com They won't be getting my business. Ever. Period!

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9:05 am EDT
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Ancestry Unapproved charge

Over two years ago, I used ancestry.com to put together a family tree for my mother's side. I used the free trial, then paid for an additional month. I then cancelled, and never saw another charge. Out of the blue today, I had a $106 charge in my account! I called the company, and sat on hold for 30 minutes with no answer. I gave it a while and tried again, another 30 minutes later, and still NO answer! I will try once more, and then I will make a formal dispute with my bank.

How unfortunate.

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11:04 am EDT
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Ancestry Cyber-harassment by another user

I have an ongoing problem with Ancestry.com. I am a member of Ancestry.com, and I pay my
subscription fees for their genealogy service on a monthly basis. There is an unfortunate situation that has arisen concerning another individual who also belongs to this online
community. It is important to note that this person is a complete stranger to me.
My problem is that this user continually publishes content that reveals mypersonal identifiable information, without my permission. If that isn’t alarming enough, the posts often include defamatory and offensive statements about me and members of my family. Not only is this
content in clear violation of the Ancestry.com Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines, it meets the definition of aggravated harassment in my home state.

The Ancestry.com terms and conditions state that: “No Ancestry member or visitor to the website
may: Post, transmit, or display anything that is illegal, threatening, harmful, abusive or otherwise
objectionable. For example, but not limited to, actions that are harassing, invasive of another's
privacy, degrading, defamatory, vulgar, hateful, libelous, fraudulent, obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit, hateful or racially or ethnically objectionable.”
I have documented the abuse to Ancestry.com in many emails to customer service over the last several months. I have provided screen shots that clearlyillustrate how the content violates their terms and conditions. Sometimes the content is removed only to be reposted again by the individual who is harassing me. Other times the content is edited to remove only my name, but leaves the degrading content and my identity as the sister of a certain deceased relative (this makes it very easy to determine who the subject is in the abusive statement). Sometimes the posts are not removed at all. Not only are these not acceptable solutions, but it requires me to constantly
monitor Ancestry.com for additional abusive content and to fight for itsremoval.
Their inability to provide a lasting resolution for this problem is extremely upsetting to me.
Every day that goes by puts me at greater risk for identity theft and causesadditional emotional distress from the cyber-harassment I am being subjected to. It is clear to me that this
individual has no intention of stopping. Ancestry.com should not allow their website to be used as a vehicle topursue or torment any individual. I want Ancestry.com to take immediate action to remove ALL of the abusive content that either names me directly or by inference. Additionally, because this has been an ongoing issue, and to prevent further abuse, I request that Ancestry.com terminate the account of the user who is harassing me.
For me, this is not a monetary issue, at this time. This problem has personal consequences that I
have not been able to get Ancestry.com to appreciate. That is why I am making this complaint.

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KittyAB
Wetaskiwin, CA
Jul 10, 2014 1:27 pm EDT
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Ancestry has a facebook page you can post complaints there as well.

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KittyAB
Wetaskiwin, CA
Jul 10, 2014 1:11 pm EDT
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I am having a similar situation. I did manager to get Ancestry to delete the offending posts but they have not addressed the offending party. A friend of mine is a attorney and I have been advised not to engage this person and record everything. Which i have.

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STUDIO 301
154 w 129th st, US
May 27, 2014 3:20 pm EDT

ANCESTRY.COM IS A FRAUD. They charged me $200+ dollars without my consent using the credit card I used to pay them for previous services. I never purchased or received anything. They don't have a recording or a signature from my part that states my approval AND THEY WONT REFUND MY MONEY!

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5:20 pm EDT
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Ancestry Unable to Cancel Free Trial

The help page of this company states that one must click on a link to go to the "Subscription Options" page to cancel their membership, including being able to cancel the 7-day free trial. After clicking on that, there is nothing on that page AT ALL that allows the consumer to cancel anything. I have personally contacted Ancestry.com and told them about the complaints on this site where Ancestry.com was referenced and how this is bad business for them, and I was told that Archives.com is actually a subsidiary of Ancestry.com, just the welfare version of it. It was not until I was TRANSFERRED by Ancestry.com TO Archives.com that I was able to cancel this membership. Be very aware of whom you're dealing with. I did file a complaint with the FTC about this practice and I told the rep at Ancestry that I have done so. I also referred her to this site so she can read all of the complaints that are listed here. La'arni at Archives.com handled the call for me and cancelled the membership.

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12:42 pm EST

Ancestry Ya, its great for the free storage, but beyond that the site is very useless

Ya, its great for the free storage, but beyond that the site is very useless. My mom tried to gift me a membership, and we sure learned quick this site is TERRIBLE. Customer service was either 15-30 min of holding, or they told you to call back the next day, and they did not fix the problems at all. It won't let my mom just purchase the account under mine because my name isn't on the credit card. The only reason I would suggest anyone to use this site is if they want to store and organize their ancestry work. Otherwise, the thing is useless and doesn't care at all about their customers.

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8:16 pm EDT
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Ancestry Scam on renewal

I received a renewal notice today by email. I looked for 20 minutes on the website under my account what I would be charged on renewal. There was no information found on what the renewal would be. So I call and customer service said they explained to me that they don't show the renewal price on the website and that is on purpose. So I asked what is going to be my renewal price. (knowing I signed up for a special program and wanted it to be confirmed the price I has signed up for) ANCESTRY.COM CAN NOT TELL ME WHAT MY RENEWAL IS GOING TO BE! The representative said they could charge me anything they wanted. That is the terms! ARE THEY CRAZY! I told them that I had signed up for a special promotion that I was told was going to continue. THEY WILL NOT HONOR what I signed up for. Unethical, misleading, vague, to rip off customers. What I really feel bad about is that they are obviously trying to take advantage of the older customers. I CANCELED MY MEMBERSHIP WITH PLEASURE.

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5:10 pm EDT
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Ancestry multiple charges

ancestry.com charged me $29.95 / month for more than a year and I didn't even use the service. I signed up for a trial membership for 30 days...this is a disgrace. How are they allowed to operate by law? This website is a total scam. I will report them on every site I can find!

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12:03 am EDT
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Ancestry expensive trail

I didnt read the fine print. Please, read the fine print. I just got charged $80 for a $12.95/mo trial deal - they charge you all at once. You can't get a refund because they say you need to cancel within 7 days - which is one week into the 2 week 'free' trial. Yeah, they saw me coming. Important: YOU MUST CALL TO CANCEL, otherwise they will still bill you later too. I thought i had cancelled but called to confirm, and sure enough had not.

The company made no effort to 'remind' me to cancel my subscription, which leads me to belive they are hoping you forget. I bounced a check because of this charge. Stupid me. Please dont fall for this too.

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3:17 am EDT
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Ancestry Did not cancel subscription

I am disappointed with ancestry.com because I wanted to cancel and when I went through the process on my account I ticked all the boxes and checked and submitted the cancellation. But it was not canceled. When I phoned today and explained the issue I was told I must have missed checking a box. I would not recommend ancestry dot com to my worst enemy. I consider in my experience that they provide totally poor service.

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Sep 03, 2011 2:45 pm EDT

Poor service... well, yes... the cancellation process is a bit confusing. It's way too easy to think that you've cancelled when you really haven't. The sure-fire way to know whether you have is if you have a cancellation number -- I bet that asked if you had one, right? Of course, it's a great system as long as you know how to cancel correctly, such as is explained in this video: http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/avoiding-issues/scam-exposed-here-cancel-and-you%E2%80%99re-good/

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4:59 pm EDT
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Ancestry - Scam

Ancestry.com has set out to scam the consumer. They offer you two weeks free. But, you must first give them your credit card and buy one month before you can try them out. When you find that they offer you nothing for your money. they will not refund you you the first month that you have paid for. Your two weeks free IS NOT FREE. After you have quit them...

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5:31 pm EDT

Ancestry Stay away

I logged a support request to Ancestry.ca back on February 2nd when I had trouble importing an old FTM file into FTM2011. I just got a response today February 11th! I have resolved the issue on my own but am very upset at their lack of customer service. Totally unacceptable.

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11:21 am EDT

Ancestry I did not request their services yet they charged me

Ancestry.com charged my credit card number for a service that I did not request or even received. I have never heard of Ancestry.com (MFI Family Ancestry) until the charge showed up on my bank account. Now I have seen many complaints about them. They took $ 109.00 from me. I want to know who and how they got my banking info?

I did do some searching and found multiple reports of credit card fraud involving Ancestry.com (MFI Family Ancestry). How are these people allowed to remain in business?

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Onemorething
Belleville, US
May 05, 2014 8:46 am EDT
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I had the same thing happen to me and when I contacted Ancestry.com I was told that they couldn't do anything about my card being compromised and would not refund my money.

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Sep 03, 2011 4:00 pm EDT

I do not know who MFI Family Ancestry is... I was not aware of Ancestry.com using this name. They have switched names in years past, but they've not used that one that I'm aware of. It sounds like it might be a company other than Ancestry.com.

In any case, if it is Ancestry.com then you should be able to call in and cancel for a refund. The only way that they could have gotten your credit card information is if someone put it in... so perhaps your card has been compromised and is being used by someone else. Ancestry.com is pretty good about returning money if it was due to fraud. Of course, the most important thing is to contact your card company and have them cancel your card if it has been compromised. They can also start a chargeback process for any charges you did not initiate. They also might be able to give more information about the company who charged that (whether it is Ancestry.com or another company).

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9:27 pm EDT
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Ancestry very poor customer service

'DNA provides deep ancestry and often relationship with others. It will not tell you who your father is" says ancestry.com:::...DUH...
I think ill go with a LESS INSENSITIVE company that answers your questions correctly and doesn't respond as if you are an idiot. I ASKED WHAT WILL IT TELL ME NOT WHAT IT WILL NOT TELL ME ..this is what I wrote back to the jerks at Ancestry.com. I wrote to this company to get an idea what a DNA test will tell me with no mothers or fathers DNA present . As bad as it is that I do not know who my father is for them to incorrectly answer my original question and write back in this way infuriated me. Thank goodness I didn't fork over my cc number for their free trial. I didn't bother to read their response either. They messed up in my book.

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G. Mac
Independence, US
Dec 07, 2012 12:42 pm EST

Email to Ancestry. com: So you believe that we, the general public, aren't smart enough to figure out the implications of Y-DNA and mtDNA, so you drop this part of the testing and satisfy the masses with grouping genealogist with hobbyist. And by the way, if you plan to eliminated Y-DNA and the mtDNA aspect of testing, clean up the website and help files so you aren't misleading your costumers with bits of information that don't exist. I did send in a test and thought there was something wrong when I saw what seemed to be an incomplete test result. I called service and I was told that that was it. I thought it was strange for a company into real genealogy to expand a service not subtract from it.
Response: (Sort of) Dear Sir,
Thank you for contacting Ancestry.com regarding your feedback on the new autosomal DNA test.

We apologize for any frustration this issue may have caused and appreciate your feedback. We have forwarded your message on to our feedback department.

For information regarding additional methods of submitting feedback, please visit the following URL:
http://ancestry.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/970/
If you need additional assistance, please feel free to reply to this message or contact us by phone at 1-800-ANCESTRY [protected]) from 10am to 10pm EST, Monday through Sunday. To date there was no response be the feedback department.

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Sep 03, 2011 4:04 pm EDT

Yep. That was a rather poor way to handle your question. It drives me crazy when customer service reps don't actually answer my questions as well.

I'm not an expert with DNA, but I happen to know a geneticist whom I asked about things like this. If I remember correctly, DNA can be traced through a male line (your father, his father, his father, etc.) or through a female line (your mother, her mother, her mother, etc.). Ultimately, you'll find out countries where your ancestors came from (sometimes actual regions as well). But it's only going to be able to follow two branches of your tree, so it doesn't really give a whole picture. For some people, the DNA test is really helpful. But for others it's a complete waste of time.

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8:49 am EST
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Ancestry deleting account

Ancestry.com refuses to remove my account and personal information from their website (after a relative kindly created the account for me). After requesting that they delete my account, here is the response:

"... as the Registered Guest accounts are designed to give unlimited access to our free services, there is not an established method to cancel these accounts. When you have concluded using your Registered Guest account, simply discontinue your use. You will never be charged. We hope that you enjoy your Registered Guest account with Ancestry.com. Other types of participation on Ancestry.com may require a paid account. "

Translation: we will never delete your personal information, so stop asking and be grateful that we won't charge you for it.

Avoid this website like the plague. These kind of shady practices are despicable.

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utka
, US
Jun 06, 2016 4:34 pm EDT
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I was stupid enough to open a Ancestry guest account. This is VERY SCAM! I tried to cancel my guest account but this is impossible. Very chip trick! Ancestry.com is chip, lying, low profile money sucking “company”. I tried to call but there is answering “too many calls”. Sure! The website doesn’t give any option to cancel account. There is no option at all. All they need to suck your money and no escape. I will do everything possible on all websites to tell about my experience.

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Nicole White
Bronx, US
Dec 30, 2015 7:02 pm EST
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Ancestry is a scam and racist operating business out of Utah .

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Feb 25, 2011 7:09 pm EST

Yeah, I don't really like that policy either. If you're really finished with Ancestry.com, then there are a few things you can do, however.

First, download your tree as GEDCOM file. This will allow you to still have access to it later (you'll need a Genealogy program to read it, but it doesn't have to be Ancestry.com). There's a tutorial about it here: http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/the-site/export-your-family-tree-as-a-gedcom/

Then, delete your tree. The link to do so right underneath the Download GEDCOM button.

Then, click My Account at the top of the screen. On the right, you can then update your personal information like your email address, your mailing address, your phone number, etc. Now, you can't delete this, but you can change it to be information that is totally incorrect. This way, your account will live on in the Ancestry.com system, but none of the information on it will be correct.

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4:57 pm EST
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Ancestry the truth about ancestry.com

the truth is that they make you think that your related to the person that you see on the other screen. but, really, your not.

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Feb 25, 2011 6:19 pm EST

It's important to recognize that there are errors in genealogy records. Ancestry.com is a great way to connect with records, but you MUST verify the information. See this site for an explanation: http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/the-site/not-all-records-military-census-etc-are-always-correct/

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4:31 pm EST

Ancestry Ancestry.com has fabulous data, but the web interface is terrible and the customer service is non-existent

Ancestry.com has fabulous data, but the web interface is terrible and the customer service is non-existent. Firefox is totally incompatible, despite their claims to the contrary, and no one ever answers an email, ever. Their customer service hours are geared towards people on the east coast, and even they had better not have a day job if they want any technical support. It is impossible to get through on a Saturday, so forget that. I hear lots of rumors that it is impossible to cancel, too, and that better not be true, because that is just what I am about to do.

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TA Jones
Launceston, AU
Feb 03, 2013 1:41 am EST

Old complaint, same problem. Why are all subscriptions set as default to auto-renewal when I (the customer) should be able to choose “auto-expire”? Ancestry.com certainly make it easy to set this OFF at the start. Worse is that you default to a 6 month renewal. What an arrogant assumption. What if I don’t like your service that much? Or what if you only want 1 or 2 months subscription.

This is a dishonest business model. You can hide behind your TC’s all you like but that has lost you a customer and hopefully 99 more as the saying goes. I really don’t want to have any more to do with your service, and I will discourage my friends and family from going anywhere near Ancestry.com, T Jones, Australia

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Sep 03, 2011 2:49 pm EDT

Keith is right. You must have a cancellation number to be sure you cancelled. Otherwise... well, they'll charge you again. Calling and having Ancestry.com's service team provide you with the number is one way and definitely a safe way. But as long as you get the cancellation number, the web process is okay too... but you MUST keep going through the process until you get it. If you're not sure whether you got it, it's always best to phone customer service to double-check.

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Keith BURGE
Coffs Harbour, AU
Aug 27, 2011 3:11 am EDT

I completed the on line cancellation forms and the last one was a reason for cancellation. Then it wasn't cancelled. I recommend that you phone and CANCEL and get a receipt number. I was cancelling for a month or so whilst I was between jobs but now after this experience I will not rejoin or renew my subscription. Keith Burge, AUSTRALIA

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Feb 27, 2011 7:42 pm EST

Easier to join than to cancel... I agree on that one. And I agree that it really shouldn't be that way.

As for the 800 number, I'm sorry you had difficulties getting through. Are they busy? Yes, they definitely are. It's a big company. Some times are busier than others, of course.

I personally prefer just canceling on the website anyways. It's easier and less of a hassle, in my opinion.

I know that some people don't have a good experience, but I've used it for a while and I love it. And I believe that if people know what they're getting into and how to work the system correctly (hence my links to that unofficial website www.familytreeshortcuts.com above), then anyone with a good disposition and a desire to really get into genealogy can have a positive experience.

Anyways, I hope that since you didn't have a good experience, you were able to cancel correctly and therefore don't have to worry about it anymore.

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Feb 27, 2011 12:04 am EST

Their number is 1-800-Ancestry. It's at the bottom of all of their pages where it says "Contact Us: 1-800-Ancestry." Of course, there's an argument to be made as to whether they should place it at the top so that people don't miss it. If you take a few moments to look for things, you can usually find them. But if you're the impatient type, genealogy research probably isn't your thing anyways.

As for the cancellation process, I suspect that a majority of users don't have a problem. Still, when you're as big as Ancestry.com is, a small portion is still a LOT of customers. I agree that the cancellation process should be easier.

Just my thoughts...

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Feb 25, 2011 6:12 pm EST

Sootane,
Fabulous data, yes. Problems with the interface, yes. But I have seen them make numerous changes (for the better) in just the last year. And I'm sorry you have problems with Firefox... though for me, I find that Ancestry.com runs much better on my Firefox browser than IE.

Since they are so huge, their customer service does get slammed from time to time. And you're right, their hours aren't very convenient for people who need to contact them in the evening . Don't ever reply to the automated emails because they're all "noreply" emails (read the fine print). Use this form instead: http://ancestry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ancestry.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php.

You can also use the help articles (see http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/the-site/help-navigating-the-website/ for details on how to access and use them).

Oh, and while there are a lot of complaints about cancelling, it's actually a breeze if you actually follow through with all of the steps. See a video tutorial on how to (completely) cancel here: http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/avoiding-issues/scam-exposed-here-cancel-and-you%e2%80%99re-good/

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Ancestry scam - both charges and info

I signed up for their service at $16.95 and was billed $155.00. I thought it was $16.95 total and only found out when the charge hit my account they bill for one year and it is non refundable. What make this worse is you cannot cancel the subsricption. How can a company bill you for an entire year but list the price as monthly? The data on their site is miniscule as far as my family tree is concerned and yet, our family history is documented. I was under the impression they had uploaded census and other public information. Nothing there at all. So, why would I pay them over $150 per year to post my family tree that I have worked hard to discover? They add nothing, give nothing, and charge an amount that to me is nothing more than a scam.

I want a refund for the 11 months I am not using them. Any way I can get my money back?
cecile.[protected]@sunnymore.com

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Feb 25, 2011 6:04 pm EST

Cecile Marie--
Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do. You should have read the fine print (yes, I know that no one does, so I don't blame you, but Ancestry.com has the legal advantage now). I found a site that you might find helpful explaining everything, however:

About the annual subscription charged at once: http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/avoiding-issues/subscription-costs-explained/

One thing you need to be aware of as well is that your subscription is probably set to automatically renew next year. Please take action to get it cancelled so that it does not renew. There's a nifty tutorial about how to cancel here: http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/avoiding-issues/scam-exposed-here-cancel-and-you%e2%80%99re-good/

In the mean time, like I said, there's not much you can do. You can call in to Ancestry support, but you're likely too late to get a refund of any type. But since you have an account, you may as well use it! It appears you were having difficulties finding any records on the site (Ancestry.com actually has the most extensive online record database in the world), so check out these pages for help findnig records:
http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/the-site/search-build-your-family-tree-learn-the-tips-here/
http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/the-site/the-card-catalog-is-your-source-for-specific-records/

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Lisa Duvall
Quitman, US
Jan 25, 2011 1:03 am EST

http://lisaduvalltoday.com/
Refunds, Collections & Justice

Email: lisaduvall@att.net
Email me the details for proven results. I have the knowledge, experience and time.

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Ancestry Information

Ancestry.com I just about quit looking at the website...the only info they have on my family appears to be what I have given them..and then these ###s want to charge me for it! Today I got a hint notification on myself...like they know more than I do ...

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GenealogyJeff
Spanish Fork, US
Feb 25, 2011 7:19 pm EST

Unfortunately, sometimes even Ancestry.com's massive databases aren't helpful for some people. You may be one of them. As for the hints, they're not always that great (though again, for some people, they are).

Have you tried advanced search or the card catalog yet? See this site for unofficial tutorials:
http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/the-site/search-build-your-family-tree-learn-the-tips-here/
http://www.familytreeshortcuts.com/the-site/the-card-catalog-is-your-source-for-specific-records/

Ancestry Customer Reviews Overview

Ancestry.com is a popular genealogy website that allows users to trace their family history and build their family tree. The website has received numerous positive reviews from users who have found it to be a valuable resource for discovering their ancestry.

One of the most praised aspects of Ancestry.com is its extensive database of records, which includes census records, birth and death certificates, military records, and more. Users have found that this database makes it easy to find information about their ancestors and build a comprehensive family tree.

Another positive aspect of Ancestry.com is its user-friendly interface. The website is easy to navigate, and users can quickly search for records and add information to their family tree. Additionally, Ancestry.com offers a variety of tools and resources to help users with their research, including tutorials and webinars.

Many users have also praised Ancestry.com's customer service, noting that the company is responsive and helpful when users have questions or issues with the website. The website also offers a variety of subscription options to fit different budgets and needs.

Overall, Ancestry.com has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from users who have found it to be a valuable resource for discovering their family history. With its extensive database, user-friendly interface, and helpful customer service, Ancestry.com is a top choice for anyone interested in tracing their ancestry.

Ancestry In-depth Review

Website Design and User Experience: The website design of Ancestry.com is clean and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and find the information you need. The layout is intuitive, with clear menus and search options, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Database Size and Coverage: Ancestry.com boasts an extensive database with billions of records, covering a wide range of geographical locations and time periods. Whether you're searching for ancestors from Europe, Asia, or the Americas, you're likely to find valuable information to help you uncover your family history.

Research Tools and Features: Ancestry.com offers a plethora of research tools and features to assist users in their genealogical research. From advanced search filters to record hints and DNA matching, these tools provide valuable insights and help users make connections with their ancestors.

Membership Options and Pricing: Ancestry.com offers various membership options to suit different needs and budgets. From monthly subscriptions to annual plans, users can choose the option that best fits their requirements. While the pricing may seem a bit steep for some, the wealth of resources and features provided make it worth the investment for serious genealogists.

Customer Support and Assistance: Ancestry.com provides excellent customer support and assistance. Their support team is responsive and knowledgeable, ready to help users with any issues or questions they may have. Additionally, the website offers extensive FAQs, tutorials, and community forums where users can find answers and connect with fellow researchers.

Privacy and Security Measures: Ancestry.com takes privacy and security seriously. They have robust measures in place to protect user data and ensure the confidentiality of personal information. Users can feel confident that their sensitive data is safe and secure while using the platform.

Accuracy and Reliability of Results: Ancestry.com strives for accuracy and reliability in their results. While no genealogy website can guarantee 100% accuracy, Ancestry.com employs rigorous data verification processes and collaborates with reputable sources to provide users with reliable information. However, it's always recommended to cross-reference and verify findings through additional sources.

Community and Collaboration Features: Ancestry.com offers a vibrant community and collaboration features that allow users to connect with others who share their genealogical interests. Users can collaborate on family trees, share research findings, and even connect with distant relatives, enhancing the overall research experience.

Additional Resources and Educational Materials: Ancestry.com provides a wealth of additional resources and educational materials to help users in their genealogical journey. From informative articles and webinars to online courses and expert advice, users can expand their knowledge and improve their research skills.

Overall Rating and Recommendation: Ancestry.com is a highly recommended genealogy website that offers a comprehensive platform for researching family history. With its user-friendly design, vast database, powerful research tools, and supportive community, it provides an excellent experience for both beginners and experienced genealogists. While the pricing may be a consideration for some, the wealth of resources and features make it a worthwhile investment for those serious about uncovering their ancestral roots.

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