Ancestry is now offering a premium membership. As they’ve named it, Club 1890, it hints at helping find workarounds for those struggling with the missing 1890 US census. To be clear, that’s not explicitly mentioned.
The annual cost is $5,000 US.
What’s included? Is it worth it? Ancestry already offers various layers of service, including a Canadian-records-only layer, and the relatively new PRO Tools. US genealogist Amy Johnson Crow has investigated, explains what’s being offered with this premium service, and shares her concerns.
I agree with Amy that Ancestry has every right to market its services in whatever way it sees fit. However, her concerns about the company’s direction are worth more than a thought.
I was appalled by Ancestry’s tone-deaf announcement at a time when so many people are in financial straits.
I received an invitation. I wish there was a way to reject the invitation. That is just a crazy amount. If I had that free money I would use it to travel to archives where their files are not online.
I am pretty much stalled in the main portions of my research. The only thing that will help is access to new sources which are not available and this club does not really fill that gap. Not signing up, better to join more genealogy societies that have sources available.