Several years ago, I was looking for an online course to help me improve my research. I was restarting my tree, and wanted to learn more, so I could feel more confident. I originally found the site while evaluating various course options. At the time, they offered lifetime access (including to any future courses) for just shy of $150. I signed up, and diligently worked through all the courses. I learned a lot, and I definitely became a better researcher! I've enjoyed the periodic releases of new courses, and I've always taken time to work through each new course, because we never know it all. And we can all benefit from continued learning.
While they still offer complete access to all courses, it's now $240 per year. You can still purchase individual courses, the price ranges from $59 to $249, and those do provide lifetime access - but only to the specific course purchased. I find the current complete access pricing a bit convoluted. They say "Take advantage of everything the course center offers with monthly or yearly access." While they do indicate the cost is $20 per month, it also says it's billed annually at $240. I looked, but did not find any option to truly subscribe month to month. It is absolutely possible to finish all the courses in far less than a year, and for anyone looking for solid and easy to understand courses, $240 isn't a bad price. But to continue paying the fee year after year would certainly add up. For those who may already be paying for subscriptions to Ancestry, MyHeritage and/or FindMyPast, the cost for continued access to Family History Daily year over year could be prohibitive. After all, most people probably don't go back and do courses a 2nd time. So continued access would mainly be to get the benefit of new courses. While I love the site, and they offer a wonderful learning experience, I wouldn't pay $240 year after year. If I were looking now, I'd probably pay for a single year, and then decide whether new courses would be beneficial at an individual course price.
But in any case, I do have access to the new FamilySearch Crash Course. From the course description, "You’ll learn how to search smarter, uncover records many researchers overlook, and finally break through frustrating research dead ends." There are 3 sections, with a total of 42 lessons. There are also hands-on activities, and quizzes to help you make sure the information is sinking in.
- Section 1: Mastering Search on FamilySearch (15 lesson)
- Section 2: Making the Most of the FamilySearch Family Tree (13 lessons)
- Section 3: Focused Research Strategies (14 lessons)
- This section includes how to make the most of the FamilySearch Wiki