Genealogy Chat

I might be wrong here but, in response to Olde Crone, I thought that the 100 year rule wasn't brought in til after WW1, so when the 1911 census was taken the repondants weren't promised that they would be kept under lock and key, as it were, for 100 years.

Leaving aside the issue of the 1921 census for the moment as that just isn't going to happen in the near future (sure, I'd lke it to!), let us remember that anyone alive as of this minute born in 1911 would be in their mid-nineties. There are not terribly many of these people left alive today, and quite a few, not to be too unkind, are probably not of sound mind or body and neither knoe nor care what us geneologists get up to. It would be very hard indeed to trace a random person born before 1911 and steal their identity based on the census, not to mention pretty pointless - even if someone alive today was shown on the census, they would only be a child back then just a few years old and almost completely untracable through later years except by family members who know where they moved to and who they married. It's not impossible, but I can't see any identity thieves really wanting to make the effort. of using the 1911 census to commit fraud. I can see where everyone is coming though with the privacy angle. I think of it like this. It's the year 2061 - I'm in my eighties (hopefully I'll live that long!)- and the government wants to release the 1981 census 20 years early, which would the first one upon which I appear. Would I really care? No. I don't think so. Is it right? After all, we were promised '100 years of secrecy'. Probably not. Christ, this thread is doing my head in!!

Lol - don't upset yourself Michael!! Think yourself lucky to be so YOUNG!!!!! Merry

True I do have to go forward quite a few years to find a census that I'd be on. I'd love to see our families return for 1981 - I can't believe I've got to wait another seventy-five years to wait to see it! Hell, I can't even remember what the 2001 census form looked like and what I answered for the questions, and I filled it in for us all! I'm afraid that I think I was one of the 'Star Wars' loonies who put 'Jedi' down as our official religion! God knows what any future family historians will make of us. Ninety-five more years before I get to see that one. That's one date I don't think I'll be making...

Michael I must admit I too am down as a Jedi on the last census! Oh dear, I hadn't got the genealogy bug at the time and didn't take the thing too seriously. There is a website that I've seen that shows the statistics from the last census, not individual responses obviously but 15% x, 20% y, etc. It was quite interesting but I cant remember the address. I'll have a look and see if I can find it again. I do have a very curious nature ( a nosey parker in other words) and I'd love to see the census page for my first one too (1981 as well). I doubt I'll be a full shilling by the time it comes out though, if ever!

Can't even find my relatives on the censuses that are available, so I don't hold out much hope for 1911. By the time 1921 is released I shall be too gaga to remember who I am, let alone who I am trying to find! BUT although I remember filling in the 2001 census - it was the first in our new house and the first to include our children - I am kicking myself that I didn't take a copy to keep with my family history. nell

Hi Merry, < Number 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam > Are you looking for Hancocks then?? LOL Kat

I cannot at present find the previous threads, but I know that there was at least one in which I mentioned this particular website, and someone else started a campaign to write to MPs. Then the government voted that the 1911 census would be released at the usual date. Also, I believe it was either, or maybe both, the Society of Genealogists, and the Federation of Family History Societies, and maybe the National Archives, I am not sure at present, stated that the census records were definitely not in a good condition. Joy

What I would really like is that all Parish Registers and other documents were all available to download on-line which I know has been started by the same people as free bmd and and some info from familyseaarch. I am not really sure which side of the fence I am on, I just know whatever access we have we always more! We all got excited about the 1851 and now we are all waiting for the 1841 on ancestry. I have to say that the question of identity theft does not seem to be that relevant as there are plenty of other ways than using the census info. I think that the government should have a proper consultation about the way in which the info should be used and their policies about the info being released and stick to it instead of having this will they/won't they situation.

Gerry <<Why don't our Government trust us>> I would be extremely UPSET with a Government which trusted individuals to act responsibly without any given restraints - people don't! You were lucky that people allowed you access to their properties etc, as you say, you could have been a mugger or a rapist and MORE FOOL THEM. I don't mean this in a disrespectful way to you personally, I mean it to everyone who acts without thinking. I was at my local LDS centre recently and the Manager told me that she never transcribes any local record which could cause embarrassment, after an extremely distressed lady begged her not to transcribe her late parents marriage, which was a little too late for the said lady to be legitimate. This doesnt matter a hoot to any of us, of course, but it had been a source of deep shame to this lady all her life and she was desperate that the neighbours, family members etc, didnt find out. The information is still available, but people will have to hunt for it, rather than it being conveniently transcribed. Many older people are still deeply embarrassed about their illegitimacy and whether they are gaga or not, I think we should still consider their feelings. I agree that a money-making opportunity has been lost - the Government could have put this out to transcription by subscription, but they didnt, probably because it is easier to just send the whole lot lock stock and barrel to a third world country, rather than (expensively) arranging transcription here. I think its all fairly academic, anyway because who ever does it, its going to take five years. There are other ways to go for information after 1900 although probably most of it isnt available on line. Personally, I am waiting with baited breath to see if there is any chance that Tax records survive from this time - now, that would be interesting. Olde Crone

Nudging. I emailed my MP on the 16th Jan and got a written reply this morning advising that he will sign EDM 1198, as he felt I was making an important point, and his signing would hopefully put pressure on the Information Comminsioner. So come on, the more of us that get our MP's to sign the quicker we will get the 1911 census released. Kim

This cencus, if readable, would be like seventh heaven-have e-mailed MP. fingers crossed.

have sent e-mail and will write to mine... tracey

E-mailed my MP earlier today, just received reply saying he knew nothing about it but is keen to help, have forwarded him the website so he can read for himself.

Wow that was quick, received answer to my latest e-mail which I sent minutes ago. Apparently his wife started her family tree and he is going to follow this up.

The Government debated this issue last year and it was thrown out. Most MP's didnt even attend. We all urged our MP's to sign, some did, some didnt. Most were indifferent. Even if the 1911 census is fit to use, which is in doubt, it will take until 2012 almost to transcribe it. It isnt in the format we are used to, the enumorator's (spelling?) books. It is individual sheets of paper that were filled in by the public. I bet most of it will be unreadable anyway. Do we all remember what happened when the 1901 was released? For those who don't, the site crashed and we had to wait a further 6 months. Anyone who wants info post 1901, try the parish registers. There will either be at the County Record Office concerned or still at the church. Parish Registers are not just for use pre 1837. Margaret

In my opinion we might have more luck on the funding side if a couple of bodies such as the Society of Genealogists and companies in the 'trade' made a case to the Lottery ford funds to transcribe the 1911 census. It's part of the heritage and history of the Country, isn't the preservation of that part of what the lottery was set up for? I believe that there is more information in the 1911 census than previous ones, but if there are concerns about privacy (which I think is a red herring and simply an excuse for procrastination) then surely there could be no objection to making publically available the same information as for the 1901 census with the rest being restricted to academics and Government bodies (who, in any case, would only be interested in consolidated data, not individuals).

Well I am up for trying anything - My Local MP David Anderson - Blaydon, Tyne & Wear has signed.

Margaret, I totally agree with you re Parish Records, they are not just for pre 1837 but for post also. But due to a conflict with my lot, Catholic marrying a C of E, they were not baptized, but I hope my lot would have filled out a census in 1911, and that would help me greatly to 'come forward' with my research, as I do not just want to look for 'dead people' but living ones also. Kim

Some points No census ever gave assurance of 100 year secrecy until 1981, even this refers to the Public Records Act 1958 which can redefine the period of confidentiality. The 100 year rule was made under a Public Records Act 1958 order in 1966. The 1841/51 censuses were released in 1912 The 1911 census has been released in Northern Ireland without complaint. There is no rule that stops the release absolutely, the rule was made by government and can be changed by them. They wouldn't debate it otherwise! If release of the 1911 or 1921 caused a public outcry I would jump in the river. (and I live near a mucky one) Bob