Wharfedale & Craven Genealogical Study

Dear All

From the 1st September 2009 I am taking early retirement from my current job, which means that I should be able to devote more time and effort into this project and the website. However, it does mean that I think it's time to investigate ways that this website could "pay its way".

However, as I do not wish to lose the "collaborative spirit" that this website has generated over the last 10 years or so, I wish to gauge reaction to some ideas I have that may help in deciding what I will do in the future.

I propose to create a link on the website that allows members to make donations (through PayPal) towards the upkeep of this website. And for, say, a minimum donation of £10 a year I would give donating users access to the records of the additional ~100,000 individuals held in the project database, but not current displayed on the website; also, to allow these users to download information in GEDCOM format, so that they can import the information directly into your own genealogy computer programs.

I am not proposing to reduce in detail (or quality) the information displayed and the regular monthly updates with new information and corrections will still be carried out - anyone who is registered for an account and chooses not to donate would still be able to use the website as at present; they will simply not be given access to new "facilities" as they are added.

If you have comments or questions about these proposals, whether for or against, please add a Reply to this posting or if you are uncomfortable about airing your view publically, please use the Contact Us link to email me directly.

Whatever the outcome of this consultation, I will keep the website going in its current format for as long I am able to fully fund it myself, but any additional (financial) assistance would be most gratefully received.

At this point I would like thank all those of you who have contributed information, suggestions and corrections that are helping to increase the reliability and reputation of this resource for family history researchers.

Nic
Wharfegen Administrator

No problem. £10 a year. This site has been invaluable to me with all the information. I was surprised to find it free anyway. Keep it going. Roy

I would be more than happy to donate towards the site, it has been one of my best finds ! It has that family feeling with it, and I will always be very grateful for all the info.

Best wishes for the retirement and thanks for all your hard work.

judyw

Although I havn't used this site for a while knowing that it's there to make cross refrances with my Bake family is invaluble. I'd be glad to pay the £10 per year, and also to obtain some extra information by doing so, it's a win win for me.

Will be more than happy with a £10 fee. Have found this site very good for cross referance on some of my family. Just started on the M-i-L's tree (Lister) and its all here when I get back to 1890, it's a great help.
Keep up the good work

Heather

I would be glad to pay £10 per year, it would be good value, the site has been invaluable to me

The information posted on this site and others like it is a life's work for somebody (Nic), as my family history is to me. A £10 fee is nothing for the wealth of information available on this fantastic, user friendly site. Keep up the invaluable work and start charging now !! It's worth ten quid of anybody's money.

Thank you for all your feedback - both on the forum and privately. It is helping me crystallise and finalise my thoughts as to how to proceed.

However, an interesting question has been raised:


Which would be a better option to have access to additional resources on the site, (including new features as they arise)?

My thoughts are turning to asking either for, say, a minimum "donation" of £10 a year or a one-off £25. [This would not stop anyone giving more - if you think the work being done is worth it!]

I must admit that I wish to avoid calling it a "fee" or "subscription" as I intend to keep open free access all that can currently be seen on the website. I am simply trying to gauge what value current subscribers place on the work being done and "reward" their generosity with access to additional facilities and information. [Though I can make no specific promises, now that I do have more time to devote to this work, I would hope to be able to develop new resources and make them available through the website. All ideas would be gratefully received!]

Would a one off donation be easier for you to administer ? But £10 per year may sound less to new users and encourage them to join. I don't mind which way you do it, I am happy to do what you think best.
judyw

Sorry - I have been very remiss in not providing a written response and conclusion to this thread.

For nearly a year now, access to a Donations facility - from a link at the top of each webpage - has been made available for all subscribed users.

For a regular donation of £10 (UK) a year or minimum one-off donation of £25 (UK) additional features have been made available. For instance, donors have been given access to:

a) additional records for ~100,000 individuals not currently available to other users on the website;
b) download information from the website to GEDCOM in order that it can be imported into your own Family History computer program.

I'm still looking at ideas make other services available that are intended to provide assistance in your researches - all ideas for these would also be gratefully accepted!

Contributions may be made through Paypal using the "Donate" button, but I am also happy to accept monies by cheque.