written by on 12/11/2013
After 5 years of paying for access, I discontinued my subscription. I had downloaded several trees to 2012 version of Family Tree Maker. In the process of synching a tree, 5000 photos and 1200 stories were lost. Was given 3 months free access in order to re-create the lost info. Unbelievable! Will never find it all. I deleted a lot of the info from my computer, thinking that it would be safe on the Ancestry site.
When I discontinued my subscription, they discontinued access to nearly all of their records. I cannot view census records, military records, or social security records that I have already paid for.
I have discovered numerous free websites that provide the same information and continue to add that info to the Ancestry site. It takes more effort in locating the free info and is often more complete than what Ancestry provides.
I now back up the Ancestry info on separate discs knowing that it could go away at any time.