What is Findmypast
Overview
Findmypast is an online genealogy and family history service that provides access to historical records, newspapers and indexes. It specialises in British, Irish and Commonwealth archives, and includes records relevant to Australia and New Zealand.
Who uses it
Users commonly include family historians, researchers and people tracing ancestry across multiple countries. Subscriptions give varying levels of record access depending on the plan chosen.
How to cancel Findmypast
Cancel via your Findmypast account (recommended)
- Sign in to your account at findmypast.co.
- Go to Account or Subscription settings.
- Choose the active subscription and select Cancel or Turn Off Auto-Renewal.
- Confirm cancellation and keep any confirmation email or screenshot for your records.
Cancel by contacting customer support
- Email: send a cancellation request to [email protected] including your account email and subscription details.
- Phone: call +44 (0)20 3326 6300 and ask the support agent to cancel your subscription.
- Allow time-zone differences and retain any reference number or written confirmation.
What happens when you cancel
Access after cancellation
When you cancel, you usually retain access to paid features until the end of your current billing period. The subscription will not renew after that date.
Account status and data
Your account and any family tree or saved records typically remain accessible as a free account, but premium features will be restricted. Personal data is retained according to Findmypast’s privacy and data retention policies.
Will I get a refund?
Standard refund policy
Findmypast’s standard approach is that subscriptions are prepaid for the billing period and are not routinely refunded after purchase. Automatic renewals are expected unless cancelled before the renewal date.
Exceptions and how to request a refund
- Refunds may be considered in specific cases such as billing errors, duplicate charges or technical problems that prevented use.
- Purchases made through the Apple App Store or Google Play are managed by Apple or Google; refunds and cancellations for those purchases must be handled through the respective store.
- To request a refund for a direct Findmypast charge, contact [email protected] with your account details and evidence of the issue.
Findmypast plans and pricing
Plans
| Plan | Price | Period | Features |
| Australia‑level (includes NZ records) | AUD 11.22/month or AUD 112.16/year | Monthly/Annual | Access to Australian and New Zealand records |
| World‑level | AUD 22.49/month or AUD 224.89/year | Monthly/Annual | Access to all records globally (including Australia & NZ) |
Notes on pricing
Official NZD pricing for Findmypast was not located. The AUD prices above include NZ records and may serve as a proxy for New Zealand users.
Prices may differ when purchasing via the App Store in NZ due to Apple’s regional pricing banding. Always check the final price at checkout.
Your consumer rights in New Zealand
Key protections
New Zealand consumers are protected by laws including the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act, which cover misleading conduct and faulty services.
These laws can apply to online services where there is a trader-customer relationship, but remedies for digital subscriptions are more limited than for physical goods.
Practical steps if you have a dispute
- Contact Findmypast support first and retain written records of communications.
- If unresolved, seek free advice from Citizens Advice Bureau (cab.org.nz) or Consumer Protection (consumerprotection.govt.nz).
- For purchases via Apple or Google, lodge a dispute through the relevant store’s support channels.
Customer experiences
Common feedback and issues
Users often praise the depth of records for UK and Commonwealth genealogy. Common complaints include confusion over cancellation steps and differences between direct and App Store subscriptions.
Positive points noted by users
Many reviewers appreciate the newspaper archives and the breadth of regional records, including those relevant to Australia and New Zealand.
Documentation checklist
Essential items to have ready
- Your Findmypast account email and username.
- Subscription details (plan name, billing date, payment method).
- Confirmation screenshots or emails showing subscription status.
Helpful supporting evidence
- Receipts or bank statements showing the charge.
- Any previous correspondence with Findmypast support.
- Order or reference numbers from the App Store or Google Play if purchased via those stores.
Common mistakes
Cancelling via the wrong channel
Many customers try to cancel through the website when the subscription was bought via Apple or Google. App Store subscriptions must be cancelled via your Apple ID settings.
Similarly, cancelling by email without receiving confirmation can leave the subscription active; always obtain and keep confirmation.
Assuming an immediate refund or immediate loss of access
Some users expect an immediate refund or instant termination of access. In most cases access remains until the billing period ends and refunds are handled case-by-case.
Always check the billing date and keep proof of cancellation to avoid unexpected renewals.
Comparative recap
Quick comparison table
| Item | Online account cancellation | App Store (Apple) cancellation | Phone / Email cancellation |
| How to cancel | Account settings → Cancel subscription | Manage Subscriptions in Apple ID settings | Contact [email protected] or call +44 (0)20 3326 6300 |
| Refund likelihood | Low - case-by-case for direct charges | Handled by Apple - follow Apple refund process | Possible if supported by evidence; retain confirmation |
| Effect timing | Access usually continues until period end | Depends on store policy; often continues to period end | Depends on agent action; get written confirmation |
How to choose the best route
If you purchased directly, cancel via your Findmypast account for fastest processing. If you used Apple or Google, use the respective store to avoid billing conflicts.
Contact Findmypast support by email or phone if you run into problems or need a refund assessed.
After cancelling
Keeping your data and records
- Export or download any family tree data and save copies of important records before premium access ends.
- Retain confirmation of cancellation and any refund correspondence for your records.
Helpful links and next steps
Address
Corporate address
Findmypast Ltd., 185 Fleet Street, London, England EC4A 2HS, United Kingdom.
Note: Findmypast does not have a physical office in New Zealand; the London address is the corporate location.
Support contacts