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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Dean1 on Sunday 08 June 08 20:11 BST (UK)

Title: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Dean1 on Sunday 08 June 08 20:11 BST (UK)
Hi All,

I received an E-mail telling me that there is a petition being signed (open until Jan 2009 for signatures) requesting that BMD certificates are made cheaper, easier to obtain(?) and electronic.    The address I was given for this is http://Petitions.PM.Gov.Uk/RegistryBMD in case anyone feels so inclined.

Sue


Moderator Comment: URL edited to act as link
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Treelover on Sunday 08 June 08 21:12 BST (UK)
Hi Dean

Just signed!  Thought I'd reply to get your message back on top again  ;)

Joan
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Dean1 on Sunday 08 June 08 21:36 BST (UK)
Hi Joan,

Many thanks ;D

Sue
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: kerryb on Sunday 08 June 08 22:11 BST (UK)
Sue

I've signed as well.  I've always thought they could be cheaper if we could download electronically.  I hope it is successful.

Kerry
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: ozlady on Monday 09 June 08 01:18 BST (UK)
Unfortunately, I can't sign this as I'm not a resident or citizen. This would be an absolute godsend for anyone on this side of the planet!!!
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: MarieC on Monday 09 June 08 10:03 BST (UK)
I agree absolutely, Ozlady!  Good luck to the petitioners, and we'll all be watching closely from Oz!!  ;D

MarieC
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Sylviaann on Monday 09 June 08 11:20 BST (UK)
Wouldn't that make it easier for people to steal identities?

Sylviaann
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Dean1 on Monday 09 June 08 11:28 BST (UK)
I wondered about the "identity" thing - however they seem very easy to steal anyway.

On the upside, electronic records will save trees!!!! ;D

Sue
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: LizzieW on Monday 09 June 08 11:35 BST (UK)
Signed.

Lizzie
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: newbie on Monday 09 June 08 12:59 BST (UK)
signed
and have you seen this one as well ? - it's about
  "Signing up to ask the Prime Minister to ensure that the General Register Office of the ONS completes asap, as promised, the digitisation of, and online index to, the national BMD ledgers dating back to 1837 previously held in the Family Records Centre in London‏"

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BMDonline/
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Kit 52 on Monday 09 June 08 19:39 BST (UK)
Also signed ! Come on Rootschatters, there are only 39 signatures so far. Only takes a minute. Get your fingers out !

Kit

Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: kerryb on Monday 09 June 08 19:56 BST (UK)
Perhaps they have more money than sense Kit  ::) ;D ;)

Kerry
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Willow 4873 on Monday 09 June 08 20:01 BST (UK)
Signed both!

Willow x
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: BettyofKent on Monday 09 June 08 20:26 BST (UK)
There must be a sudden rush to sign, as it's telling me the site is 'extremely busy at the moment' & to try again in a few minutes  ;D

Betty
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Willow 4873 on Monday 09 June 08 20:29 BST (UK)
There must be a sudden rush to sign, as it's telling me the site is 'extremely busy at the moment' & to try again in a few minutes  ;D

Betty

Rootschatters are go! lol

Willow x
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Maidstone Maid on Monday 09 June 08 20:31 BST (UK)
I just signed so dont give up.
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: LizzieW on Monday 09 June 08 20:53 BST (UK)
I've now signed both.  Don't know what the number of signatures is now, but all Rootschatters need to sign or it will be ignored.

Correction, even if we do all sign, it will still be ignored

Lizzie
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Hackstaple on Monday 09 June 08 20:57 BST (UK)
I have signed but the government is trying to cut back on expenditure and also has a horrid record at handling computer systems. :'(
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: LizzieW on Monday 09 June 08 20:59 BST (UK)
You're right Hack - look what's happened to GRO now it's been moved to Passports.

Lizzie
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: jake01 on Monday 09 June 08 21:29 BST (UK)
Yes I have signed at the last count 46. Come on the rest of you Rootschatters sign it must make thing easier and less delays
Jake.
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Mr. MIGKY on Tuesday 10 June 08 08:55 BST (UK)
I have signed the petition, but think the cost should only be made cheaper for English & Welsh residents. As we have to pay a lot more in other countries for them. So we should not subsides people from out side England and wales.
Migky ;)
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Kit 52 on Tuesday 10 June 08 16:25 BST (UK)
Shame on you Migky ! I signed, even though it would be of no use to me as a Scot. I think that genealogy should be affordable for all, irrespective of where your family is from.

I'm grateful that SP is so reasonable in cost, and think that the English and Welsh should be afforded the same service.

Kit
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Mr. MIGKY on Tuesday 10 June 08 16:42 BST (UK)
I feel no shame as a tax payer, i pay in to our system. Why should i pay just as same as any one ells from out side the country?  Scotland people charge for a download if you want a copy of the full certificate it will cost you more.
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Cas (stallc) on Tuesday 10 June 08 16:46 BST (UK)
Shame on you Migky ! I signed, even though it would be of no use to me as a Scot. I think that genealogy should be affordable for all, irrespective of where your family is from.

I'm grateful that SP is so reasonable in cost, and think that the English and Welsh should be afforded the same service.

Kit

I agree, signed both 2 days ago...thought there would have been more input from Rootschatters, most of us are avid genealogists....

Would love to have a system like Scotland, were I could get certs downloaded at once, at less cost...the wait is sometimes the worst...

Come on people sign...nothing ventured....... it works for Scotland peeps, why not us?  Cannot we just TRY?

Cas
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Pels. on Tuesday 10 June 08 16:56 BST (UK)





Still only 56 .. what a great shame .. !  :-\
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: meles on Tuesday 10 June 08 17:01 BST (UK)
I have several times on this site suggested that petitions do not work - especially electronic ones. Why do you think No 10 makes them so easy? This one will, I regret to say, fail.

The petition itself could be better worded. I doubt if the PM will understand it (I only just do).

And it's getting very few signatures - so where will that put it on the PM's agenda?

If you feel strongly about something, write directly to the PM or your MP. That will not be ignored. 50 letters on the same subject will cause concern at No 10. 1 petition with 50 signatures will be ignored.

with regret

meles
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Mr. MIGKY on Tuesday 10 June 08 17:08 BST (UK)
Yes you are right Meles about writing to the PM. I always do it when i want to vent my anger at some one when things don't work how they should, and suprise suprise i always get a reply from his office saying which department will be looking in to it for me  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Can never see you getting an answer from a pertition
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: isy on Tuesday 10 June 08 22:16 BST (UK)
Signed as well.

Thanks
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: linnet27 on Tuesday 10 June 08 22:27 BST (UK)
I've just signed.  61 so far.

Lynne
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: ozlady on Wednesday 11 June 08 02:12 BST (UK)
Would you apply that line of reasoning to overseas researchers as well Migky? Don't forget, we pay exactly the same costs as you and often wait a lot longer to receive what we've ordered.  If we don't order online then there is also the additional cost of currency exchange and postage.
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Guy Etchells on Wednesday 11 June 08 07:37 BST (UK)
The petition is doomed to failure due to the way it is worded.

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Allow photographic copies of registers for family research.
At the moment each public record of Birth, Marriage or Death, costs £7, it is faithfully transcribed by hand by the 'Registry office' on special paper. It would foster research and family interest if photocopies or electronic photographs were allowed at a more reasonable cost.”

If one looks at the wording it is simply wrong.
Very few certificates these days are transcriptions, these only occur if the digital copy is illegible.
Certificates are produced from microfilm images that are printed out. These are being phased out and replaced by printouts of digital images of the microfilms.

There is only one way for a registrar including the Registrar General to supply copies and that is as certified copies at the fee set down by law.

The government tried to make changes to this a few years ago but failed due to trying to push the legislation through the back door.
Given the state the present government is in there is no chance at all that the Prime Minister will try to re-introduce that legislation at this present time.
Cheers
Guy
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Verna Mac on Wednesday 11 June 08 07:40 BST (UK)
And I would like to put in my 5 cents worth.......... (or should I say 2.4 pence?). A lot of overseas researchers are only there because their ancestors were given one way tickets. The difference between us and you could be something as simple as the fact that my ancestors were dumb, they got caught.

You are right in the respect that English certs are cheaper than in other places in the world, I can order 2 certs over there for the price of one here AND it takes longer here. BUT.......... anything that makes family history cheaper and more accessible to ALL is something worth petitioning for.

Good luck
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: jethorp on Wednesday 11 June 08 23:43 BST (UK)
I have signed
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: jake01 on Thursday 12 June 08 21:52 BST (UK)
I know from previous posts that a lot of people are not altogether in favour of this petition and the wording is not good but  only 68 signings to date when there must be thousands of people out there with an interest . ???
Where is everybody?
Jake.
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: uk2003 on Friday 13 June 08 16:25 BST (UK)
Totally removed by me - I believe in freedom of speech

Moderator comment: Political views edited in accordance with Rootschat policy
   
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: paston on Friday 13 June 08 17:46 BST (UK)
 :) just signed too!  we need more people come on its easy
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: MarieC on Saturday 14 June 08 10:25 BST (UK)
I agree with kenhar that individual letters are best.  Having said that, I have signed a couple of petitions for social justice groups on the Net where sheer weight of numbers have forced governments and large banks and institutions to take notice and change their approaches.  So I wouldn't totally write off a petition!  It needs to be well-worded, however. 

If I were British, I would probably sign.  Sorry!  Gordon Brown wouldn't take any notice of me.

MarieC
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: uk2003 on Saturday 14 June 08 11:23 BST (UK)
Totally removed by me - I believe in freedom of speech

Edited         

Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: crystalight on Saturday 14 June 08 12:36 BST (UK)
 :( Tried to sign, took forever to load  ::) I filled in form but it would not reconnect and send  ::) ::) will try again later when hopefully the site has recovered.

Crystal  :D
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: kooky on Saturday 14 June 08 13:04 BST (UK)
Ken, that is one scary avatar! :o
Kooky
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: uk2003 on Saturday 14 June 08 13:33 BST (UK)
Ken, that is one scary avatar! :o
Kooky

Kooky

Thats real life - it's me animated - I am typing this with my toes  ;D

Ken
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: XPhile2868 on Friday 20 June 08 16:01 BST (UK)
I've just signed it, and the number of signatures is now 79.


Stephen :)
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Gatacre on Friday 20 June 08 22:23 BST (UK)
Individual letters to the PM are the best way of dealing with this issue.  Petitions do not count. usually.

I have had good replies from No 10 with a personal letter.

Petitions about Post Office closures were ignored and so are most others

Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: shannie134 on Saturday 21 June 08 15:22 BST (UK)
Have just signed both
1st is now on 80!!!!
2nd is on 711.
As it cost nothing to sign,just sign
Shannie
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: uk2003 on Saturday 21 June 08 18:24 BST (UK)
Nar don't think so - they don't work

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Reduce Fuel duty to bring fuel prices back to an acceptable level.

Submitted by Richard Mason – Deadline to sign up by: 17 June 2008 – Signatures: 303,179

The only thing that will make him do this is an EU ruling.

Shannie you say it costs nothing to sign, it also costs him nothing to reply. So why don't the 781 people who signed the 2 petitions for nothing, write and complain by law he has to reply or his office does 781 times. The more people who take the time to write the more of a pain in the neck they become "simple".

They make great framed artwork at the end of the day, I know I have one from John Major's office, did'nt get me know where I was just venting my temper at the time - but he had to reply
Title: Re: Petition to Prime Minister re BMD Certificates
Post by: Gatacre on Sunday 22 June 08 09:43 BST (UK)
If this thread was  put on all the other RootsChat sites around the world more people might be encouraged to send a short letter to the PM.  Those would have some 'clout' that a signed petition would not.