E-Petition for BMD access

[Preshous]

Absolutely true, the cost of a certificate extends beyong simply copying the contents of the register, for a start the storage and archiving of the millions of records has a cost. It isn't that long ago that certificates were considerably more than £7.

I find it quite amusing to see comments against the expense of certificates but see people who willingly purchase and spend large sums of money on credits to view the 1911 census.

If everyone stopped ordering certificates today would the cost of archiving change. I think not. Information is gathered by an act of Parliament, we the public pay for it wether we order a certificate or not.

[Glen in Tinsel Kni]

I disagree, reducing the price doesn't mean people will purchase more and ultimately spend more.

If an item in a shop is offered at a 50% discount and you only want one item does the discount make you buy three and ultimately spend more money?

[Daisy Loo]

If an item in a shop is offered at a 50% discount and you only want one item does the discount make you buy three and ultimately spend more money?

Depends whether you are a shopaholic or not 

But with regard to certificates, you are only ever going to buy a certain amount anyway..
Ireland has a good offer though, if you want a certified copy, it's €6.00, but if you just want a photocopy, they only charge you €4.00...still cheaper than England...

[Nick29]

Of course it's doomed to failure - how else is gormless Gordon going to pay off the national debt ? 

[Glen in Tinsel Kni]

I also have another hobby apart from family history, restoring vintage trucks. Is anyone going to support my plea for free parts and fuel for my current project?

[Matsmam]

All signed up. (fingers crossed)

[Rewcastle]

"BMD registers from 1837 to 1908"

Am i missing something 

Freebmd has images online for the following:
Births 1837-1945
Marriages 1837-1938
Deaths 1837-1935

[davidft]

"BMD registers from 1837 to 1908"

Am i missing something 

Freebmd has images online for the following:
Births 1837-1945
Marriages 1837-1938
Deaths 1837-1935

I believe what they are asking for is free access to the actual registers not just the indexes that appear on FreeBMD and the like.

They are wasting their time, but if it keeps them happy so be it just don't hold your breath ...................

[Guy Etchells]

The problem with the petition is that it asks for what we already have.
We already have full and open access, not only to BMDs over one hundred years old but to virtually all BMDs (stillbirths excepted), via the indexes.
They already are accessible with a small fee to cover the cost of copying.

The law does not allow for uncertified copies and the present government is not competent enough to make the relevant changes.
They tried that back in 2002 with the White Paper "Civil Registration: Delivering Vital Change" but due to incompetence and unlawful practice failed to pass the required legislation.

I would suggest the better way forward is to help the efforts of those who are trying to make Dove, Eagle and Magpie finally fly as that would produce far greater returns.
Cheers
Guy