Archives (https://www.archives.com/) has been helping people discover their family history since July 2009. In August 2012, Archives became part of the Ancestry family.
Where do I go for Archives support?
To view the complete list of help topics for Archives, visit https://www.archives.com/help.
All other questions about Archives and your Archives account should be directed to Archives’ support, but any questions involving Ancestry should be directed to Ancestry support.
Contacting Archives
You can contact Archives at https://www.archives.com/contact. Customer Solutions Associates typically respond within 24-48 hours, if not sooner. Responses are sent Monday through Friday: 9 am - 11 pm EST. Archives does not currently offer phone support.
Frequently asked questions for Archives
Account Settings
How do I reset my Archives password?
If you’re signed in to Archives, visit your account page to change your password.
If you’re not signed in and you don’t know your password, click Forgot password? on the Sign In page to reset it.
If you’ve reset your password and your new password isn’t working, clear your cache and cookies and try again.
How do I unsubscribe from Archives' emails?
To unsubscribe from Archives’ emails, go to the Email Settings page for your Archives account and update your preferences.
I need help signing in to my Archives account. What should I do?
Sign in with the email address you used when you joined Archives and your password. Your password is case-sensitive, so double-check that the caps lock is off. If you don’t know your password, click Forgot password? on the Sign In page to reset it. For more help, contact Archives support.
Records
What records are available on Archives?
For a comprehensive list of collections, visit our Collections page.
How do I search on Archives?
Get started searching on Archives by visiting our tutorial: “Learn more about Search on Archives”
I can’t find what I’m looking for on Archives.
The following tutorial may help you find what you’re looking for: “Can't Find What You're Looking for?”
I have too many results when searching on Archives.
To learn new ways to narrow your results, see “Too many results to look through?”
I don't have any Discoveries. How do I get them on Archives?
Viewing records from your search results will help us find discoveries for you. Click any of your search results to view the record’s details, and we'll start looking for new records about that person you’ve yet to see. When we find records for you, we’ll add them to your Discoveries.
Can I create my family tree on Archives?
Yes, as a member of Archives, you can start a brand new family tree or work with a preexisting one by uploading a GEDCOM file. Get started on your family tree.
If you already have a tree on Ancestry, see Uploading and Downloading Trees for help downloading your tree’s GEDCOM file to upload to Archives.
Certificates
Can I purchase vital record certificates through Archives?
Yes. You can purchase hard copies of vital certificates like birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates on Archives. The turn-around time varies depending on the issuing record office but is typically between 15 and 30 days. Select “USPS Critical Mail” as your shipping method for our fastest delivery.
What’s the status of my vital certificate order from Archives?
If you ordered a Vital Certificate through Archives, you can check your order status by visiting your Account History in My Account, then selecting the order link under the description of your certificate purchase. The order page will provide an overview of your order, including status, shipping information, and a purchase summary.
Membership & Billing
How do I become a member of Archives?
You can sign up for free at any time on Archives.
You can also Create a Free Ancestry Account if you don’t already have one.
What methods of payment do you accept on Archives?
On Archives, we accept the following methods of payment:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Discover
- PayPal
You can update your payment method by visiting your Archives Account Profile.
How will the Archives membership charge appear on my bank statement?
Any payments you make to Archives will appear on your bank statement as "ANC*Archives.com" along with our toll-free Customer Support number.
How do I change my Archives membership?
When you sign up for an Archives membership, the membership price and duration are set based on your chosen option. To ensure continued access, most memberships automatically renew after each billing cycle unless you cancel beforehand. You can visit your Archives Account Profile to view your next renewal date and amount or to make any changes.
How do I get help with my Newspapers.com Basic membership purchased through Archives?
For answers to questions about the Newspapers.com website or your account with Newspapers.com, visit www.newspapers.com/help.