Making a new census for future genealogists

[MrsLizzy]

We're not due another one till 2011 are we?  I had to help my mum fill hers in.  What I would really like with the next census would be an optional section maybe called Notes, where I could voluntarily clear up any potential mysteries, provide extra information such as "In the last census I was Elizabeth X married to Keith X.  We were divorced in December 2004.  We have no children."  Imagine how much help that information would be to someone in 100 years time - all the work it could save them.

OK then, but at least we could have a whole new section with details about pets and THEIR ancestries!  My cat Duchess would be able to be really snooty then because she says she's much better bred than either of us - especially Daddy, who's a Baptist, still we don't talk about that . . . .

[tony h]

I am one of the 4,200 census enumerators for this years Irish census, I'm wondering should I mix up all the names and addresses just to give the genealogists of the future something to really hunt for

Sharon

Just got back from Ireland and i've missed the census by a day, i could have really confused the descendants with being there when i should have been here Saw three of your colleagues at work, one in a pub, one who called at the cottage we rented and wouldnt let me fill in a form anyway and one who seemed to be collecting irish car registration numbers at the port.

cheers
Tony

[Christopher]

Fascinating Tony A census enumerator collecting Irish car registrations at a port He/she would be in some predicament if an Irishman was driving a car with either an English registration or a personalised plate. Would he/she have missed those Irish people in the count. I remember collecting car registrations as a kid but dropped that interest as they had very little collectors value

Chris

[Chasing-fireflies]

I am going to sound really thick now, i didnt know we still had census'! I cannot recall ever being asked to fill in details of who lives at my address. The only thing i have ever filled in is the form for the electoral register which only has myself and husband on. I will be amused from my grave if anyone tries to find me in the future!!!
 

[Christopher]

Hiya badgirl,

There have only been two or three census in your lifetime. You have probably forgotten them
It is difficult enough to remember what happened yesterday never mind what occurred ten years ago.

Chris

[Chasing-fireflies]

Thanks for that, it makes me feel a bit better. Ten years ago i had my own house though and i definitely didnt fill a form in then but the one before it may of been filled in by my Grandparents. At least i will be on one of them! My husband is in the Raf so maybe they do it for us as we had to give details of ages and all sorts when we moved in here, unless the form has gone to my own house!!! I know that my husband is not allowed to go to a poll station either so that may explain it.
 
 

[MrsLizzy]

The last was in 2001, badgirl.  Can you remember having a really long form to fill in which asked for details of all kinds of things including your religion?  I recall there was a lot of talk in the papers at the time about that, as many people were treating it as a joke and putting their religion down as "Jedi Knight"

[Christopher]

Thanks for that, it makes me feel a bit better. Ten years ago i had my own house though and i definitely didnt fill a form in then but the one before it may of been filled in by my Grandparents. At least i will be on one of them! My husband is in the Raf so maybe they do it for us as we had to give details of ages and all sorts when we moved in here, unless the form has gone to my own house!!! I know that my husband is not allowed to go to a poll station either so that may explain it.
 
 

Hiya badgirl,

Maybe you were away on holiday at the time of the Census. When you came home you probably had a quick glance at the form. thought "Ah well..nothing can be done about that now" then threw the form in the bin.

I have not been able to find anything about members of the armed forces being excluded although the Home Office send circulars to each Ministry of Defence and Prison Service establishment advising members of the forces, prison officers and presumably prisoners, how to complete the forms. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/definitions_chapters_1_5.pdf

All the Best, Chris 

[Chasing-fireflies]

Hmmm, not to my knowledge! Maybe i was missed somehow or maybe i threw it away not realising what it was. In 2001 i moved houses and that was in the April so maybe the form had been sent back for the house i moved into and the other was never sent back as nobody lived there for ages!Oh well never mind, i will do it next time and make sure i am not down as a jedi or Klingon!