Changes at WorldVitalRecords.com

WorldVitalRecords.com has made a number of changes to the web site in an effort to make information easier to find. The following was written by WorldVitalRecords.com:

WorldVitalRecords.com Undergoes Facelift to Make Finding Ancestors Easier

Improved Search and Browsing Functionality, Expanded Collections, and Increased Value

Finding an ancestor within a collection that includes 1.2 billion names across more than 11,000 databases can at times feel like finding a needle in a haystack. That’s not the experience WorldVitalRecords.com wants for its guests and customers. You are invited to visit WorldVitalRecords.com to see how focusing on the needs of genealogists has led us to create a better experience for finding your ancestors online.

Improved Search and Browsing Functionality

You can visit WorldVitalRecords.com to enjoy dramatically improved search and browsing experiences and a more intuitive site design. Dick, as a key voice of influence in the genealogy community, you are receiving this special invitation to return to WorldVitalRecords.com and let us know what you think about the changes you see.

Here are a few of the changes we have made:

• Simple drill-down capability from the “View All Databases” tab to explore the entire collection
• New search interface on search results pages for databases and collections, so you can conduct new searches within a specific database without backing out of your current search
• Cleaner search results page that allows you quick access to the records you want
• More intuitive design that provides you with easier access to the tools to help you accomplish your research

While providing you with the enjoyment of the enhanced experience you find at WorldVitalRecords.com will provide us with ample intrinsic reward, we also hope you will want to tell others about your impressions. As a trusted leader in the industry, your good opinion and fair assessment is worth more than any advertising or publicity we can possibly generate on our own.

Expanded Collections

These site changes are also being made in anticipation of adding several new premier collections to our site, which include the American Genealogical Biographical Index (AGBI), the UK Census from 1841 to 1901, the largest collection of international newspapers, and other key international collections. Meanwhile we continue to negotiate contracts for other notable collections from premier publishers, societies, and organizations that understand the value we provide to the industry.

Increased Value

At the same time these service enhancements and new collections are being rolled out, WorldVitalRecords.com is also strengthening its commitment to provide its subscribers with “everyday genealogy value” through lower standard pricing, ongoing product improvement, and the addition of new databases every business day. Tough economic conditions shouldn’t prevent devoted genealogists from tracing their family trees and discovering their roots online. Our annual subscriptions are now priced at $119.95 for unlimited access (previously $149.95) and $39.95 for access to our collection of U.S. databases (previously $49.95).

Comments

[Steve]

It seems the frequency of updated collections has decreased. There used to be a lot of free collections as they stayed free for 10 days. There's not much on there when I just checked.

I hope to see WVR become easier to use and more competitive with Ancestry. It's too much of a hodge-podge right now.

[Millie Starr]

World Vital Records offered "Accessible Archives" some time back. I immediately subscribed even though less than enthusiastic about the site because of the desire and need to use that source. I used it short term and then it disappeared. I have called a few times and every time they call and ask how I am doing etc. I repeat my request to know when this source will return. They act troubled and concerned and say they will find out. One even responded that the DAR was asking the same question. But never a call back or an e-mail saying anything. I no longer go on site at all.