Genealogy Chat

Hi All

I thought you'd be interested to know that the 1911 census is to be released in 2009!

All details can be found if you register at 1911census.co.uk. they've just sent me an e-mail.

It's three years early

As you're probably already aware, from 2009 the information contained in the 1911 census will be released, in batches, in the form of both high-quality digital images and fully searchable transcriptions, online. Thanks to a ruling by the Information Commissioner the census is being released (bar the withholding of some sensitive information) three years earlier than its expected 100 year closure period.

This is great news for family historians, and so too is the news that findmypast.com, the market leader in online genealogy, is managing the project.

A giant of genealogical data

The 1911 census is gargantuan in stature: in its physical form it occupies two kilometres of shelving at The National Archives, or, for the analogically minded, that's the combined length of 200 double-decker buses - though assuredly the census holds more people. There are 36,070,492, in fact, and among them are the forebears of family historians the world over.

Invaluable new information

As with previous censuses the 1911 census shows the name, age, gender, and marital status of each person, as well as detailing their occupation and birthplace. But for the first time ever the following information is also included:

Details of nationality
Duration of current marriage
How many children have been born to that marriage - including children no longer living at home and those who died
Details of the precise branch of a profession or trade an individual worked in. For instance, whether a carpenter worked in a colliery, a ship works, or was a house carpenter and joiner
Household schedules have survived so we can see our ancestors' own handwriting, complete with any unsolicited additional comments they might have made
First UK census in colour

1911 will be the first ever UK census to be scanned in colour, making its images far sharper and more faithful to the original document than those of any that has preceded it.

Spread the word

1911census.co.uk will be, at launch and for some considerable time after, the only place to access the 1911 census online. If you have friends or colleagues who share your interest in family history, then be sure to tell them to register on the site so that they don't miss out on the launch.

Between now and the 2009 launch we'll be sending you regular updates and imparting some useful tips and background information to ensure you get the most from this exciting new census.

Our best wishes,

The 1911census.co.uk team.


Hope this is of interest.

Ellie

It's good than any of the 1911 census is being released early, but I would imagine that is is going to be a very small proportion (mainly large conurbations) and I wonder how much the public will be charged for viewing this census?

Kath. x

Thank you Ellie for this information. I have registered with the site but as Kath has said - how much are we going to be charged for this?

We will have to wait and see just how much information is released and the timescale between each batch.

Kathleen

This is reasonably old news, as the quoted release has been out for a number of months.
I agree that it is likely to be large conurbations first, as this is how other census releases have taken place, although I haven't seen a schedule yet.
I spoke to the FMP people at WDYTYA Live in May and at that time they thought there maybe some early bits out this year, but that appears to have been over optimistic.
They also said that it would be made available through an existing FMP subscription. I hope that promise remains true (I have my doubts though).

RobG

Annie - you should be able to see most of it. The only bits you won't be able to see are items that refer to the person's health, infirmity or other items that could cause embarrasment on the off-chance they are still alive (they gave the example of a infant born in prison). This information would be "Redacted" (hidden to you and me) until 2012.

RobG

Apologies if this is old news - I did a quick search on the Tips Board for 1911 to see if anyone else had already posted a similar thread, but there was nothing.

I only received the e-mail this afternoon.

Sorry, I don't know how much it will be, but it will probably be pay per view, as most of that site is.

I hope this helps.

Ellie

I also got this e-mail this afternoon. Someone mentioned in the past that the 1911 census would be included in FMP sub - but who knows.