Access to the 1921 Census

[Hollytree]

I agree to some extent with Guy, if you want to find out 'stuff' then it's not that difficult to do. I have traced living relatives without the use of the census, using other sources.

If the 1911 census had been released earlier than it was, I would have be able to solve a mystery for my mother, who always wanted to know what her half brother's name was. She knew he had existed, even met him once (I think) but could never get me near to his name or birth date. She died in 2006, too late for me, once 1911 was released to show to her, her mother and the son together.

From that I have been able to source his birth certificate, but because mother has died, I doubt that I will pursue it further.

The young are giving all their secrets away these days on Facebook and the like, why do we have to be so prissy about something that happened ninety years ago? My opinion needless to say!
Anne

[terrysfamily]

Thank you AnnR and MarkJ, no preference, alphabetical order. It takes more than one person to have a debate (I talk to myself, so I don't count lol) You both have valid points. Keep the debate going.

Ooops, only read a couple of posts and got cought up in the debate. Should read all of them before replying.

[terrysfamily]

Hmmm a difficult one.

Would I like to know what my Grandfather was up to in 1921? You bet.

My bank says it will not disclose my details to any third parties if I chose that they don’t. I have. They don’t. GOOD

Now, say in 10 years time they decide that they can make money by disclosing my details to insurers, undertakers and mortgage brokers, am I going to be happy. I think not.

It is a matter of trust. If I want to tell people about me, I will, but for someone who has told me that the data they hold on me is protected and then to release it, is a definite NO.

I fill in my Census return along with everyone else. I do this more out of duty than anything else, but I do not want or expect it to be released while I’m still carrying the mortal coil.

I wish I could copyright the information I put on the census, then my descendants (don’t have any, so that argument is flawed from the start) could put ‘Copyright ME’ (name removed for security purposes.)

[Sandra Parker]

... I cannot agree about people mellowing about their details being revealed....
Trying to get any information, from my mother, about her family is impossible. She adamantly refuses.

Snap Nicolina!
But perserverence and help from others, has filled in most of the gaps in my maternal tree. that plus a nearly 10 year old request from someone with the same unusual name that I was seeking. Lucky for me, she hadn't changed her contact in the intervening time - she hadn't had any other replies either! Our mothers were cousins.
From there I had 10 great aunts and uncles (and their spouses). Then off I went........
Sandra

[Pam Downes]

An interesting debate.
For those currently against the early release, I would like to ask if your 'anti' stems from the fact that we are currently talking about the release being eleven and a half years early. Though bearing in mind by the time any campaign has got going, succeeded in bringing a positive result, the tender and contract have been signed, and the records been filmed and indexed you're probably talking about publication in 2013 at the earliest. If it is believed that there is especially sensitive information in the 1921 census, then it could be redacted as for the 1911. Though I fail to see what can be that sensitive about

• whether a marriage has been dissolved by divorce
• where each person works
• the industry within which someone works

For comparison check out some of the questions asked in the 1940 US census which will be published in 2012. (www.) 1930census.com/1940_census_questions.php

It's also worth asking what was the reaction of FMs to the announcement of the early release of the 1911 England and Wales census. Did you feel that the government were reneging on the 100-year rule then? And perhaps even more importantly - if you believe so strongly in the 100-year rule, why have you accessed the 1911 census before 1st January 2012? Because
'it's there' is not a valid enough reason.

On a personal note, I'd love to live long enough to see myself on a census return completed by my dad. Got a few years to go yet though.
Pam

[mardotjj]

As an older Australian who has been doing Genealogy for over 40 years, I would like the 1911 & the 1921 Census to be realesed. I dont have the time for this waiting game. The information available up to now is wonderful, especially the Parish Birth Baptism Marriages Deaths & Burials. You can read these wonderful stories of your family past, sad that the Australilan goverment does not keep the same records.Show me where to sign the petition??????????????????????????

Dot.Hickson.

[SBSFamilyhistory]

Why did they decide on 100 years in the USA it is 72, now that is a really odd number, but they have access to the 1930's census and would have had access to the 1940's census this year had it been carried out.

Okay I know when we got the 1911 the youngest covered by it would have been it their late 90's and I know this comes down by ten years if we had access to the 1921. Yes there is a but. If you don't want to know don't look and if you do find things that you feel would upset older relatvies don't tell them.

Sue

[SBSFamilyhistory]

Pam lol
On a personal note, I'd love to live long enough to see myself on a census return completed by my dad. Got a few years to go yet though.


lol I was born the year a census was completed I was not on it as I had not been born so I will be 109 when I get to see what me Dad had to say....

[Waitabit]

What you said Sue, & then, if at 109 you still care, luvverly,...if not,...no probs.

[Guy Etchells]

Why did they decide on 100 years in the USA it is 72, now that is a really odd number, but they have access to the 1930's census and would have had access to the 1940's census this year had it been carried out.

Okay I know when we got the 1911 the youngest covered by it would have been it their late 90's and I know this comes down by ten years if we had access to the 1921. Yes there is a but. If you don't want to know don't look and if you do find things that you feel would upset older relatvies don't tell them.

Sue

The answer is very simple money.

Yes that is right money nothing to do with privacy or promises.
Plain simple costs.

Back in the 1960s the GRO was faced with having to microfilm hundreds of records including vast miles of census returns.

The 1958 Public Records Act had allowed for records to be viewed after 50 years, the enumerator's books were becoming dog-eared with use and it was decided that public access would be via microfilm.
But there was a problem there was already a section who wanted public records released after 30 years and that would entail many more records being quickly microfilmed and huge expence.
The answer an 100 year rule on census records. This was put in place in 1966 and repealed in 2000.
The Public Records Act 1967 then reduced the access diclosure period to 30 years and everyone was happy.
Cheers
Guy