Access to the 1921 Census

[Guy Etchells]

Access to the 1921 census

In times of economic stress such as these the government might be open to any idea that could generate useful revenue and the 1921 census is one such project.

A way to generate income, provide jobs and boost the economy all at the same time without making cuts.
Such a policy must be popular with the electorate.

The National Audit Office report on the release of the 1901 census stated that the internet access to the 1901 generated revenues of £4.5 million by October 2003, less than one year.
In five years that amounts to a conservative sum of £22.5 million and useful figure for even a government to play with.

I would therefore like to suggest a campaign to encourage the government to release the 1921 now.
Now is the time to write to Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament we may be able to obtain a change in policy.

If you want access to the 1921 census now is possibly the only time to act.
Cheers
Guy

[tedscout]

I'l love that, but would all the 89+ year olds like it? 

[Nick29]

4.5 million wouldn't even cover the heating bill for the house of commons.  Not worth inconveniencing those still alive for such a tiny return.

[Rah1980]

As much as I might love it, it would break the 100 year privacy they promised it would have so on that grounds I can't support it, unless all those (or vast majority) of 89+ year olds did not object.

Sarah

[Gartag]

I think for many of us, 1921 is a matter of asking our parents.  OK ok, I know a lot will be writing in and saying they only have one parent and they know nothing of the other sides family...  But really, and while I really would like all census to be opened, I'm just glad that the 1911 has become available as that was such a vague period,  the War a few years after became the main focal point and any memories before that became more like idle gossip.

Sorry Guy, although I see where you're coming from, I think a lot of us, while agreeing with the idea, aren't likely to support it.  However, good luck.

Happy Hunting folks.

Garth

[custard_pot]

Yes I would support this and yes I understand what a lot are saying on here about the 89+ people but I help to run a local family history group and most of our members are in their 80's and quite a few of them have no one to ask about family and a lot of them would love to get later census to help them.

Garth you say for a lot of us it is only a matter of asking our parents but a lot of us our parents are no longer with us and we have no one else to ask.

Christine

[Gartag]

Yes Christine,

My mum died in '95 and I so wish I'd asked her more.  I never knew my dad as he left when I was 2 and had died when I was 11. 

However, and maybe I'm a lucky one, my mother, brother and I used to have many 'family' discussions;  tales passed down, shared experiences, possible futures and working out theories of how and why things are.

The benefits of a penniless childhood was that many evenings we'd talk and discuss all aspects of life.  I'm beginning to realise now how fortunate I was when several of my friends don't even know how many aunts/uncles they have because they moved.  Although I haven't met most of mine, I know who they are!

Wow, what a great site this is, not only am I learning from you all, I'm learning from myself as I post, it brings out stuff and memories I didn't know I had.

Garth

[Daisy Loo]

Guy, I understand that you were instrumental in getting the 1911 census released a wee bit early.

They got round the 100 year rule, by covering the last column (at least, that's what I understood).  How would the 100 year rule be bent/broken in this case?

I must be a lot younger than many on here, as anyone over 80, would be my grand-parents, and sadly they have all passed.  The 1921 is a good few years before my parents time.

[bean]

i'm in the same situation as Daisy Loo, grand-parents have all passed on and parents all born way after the 1921 census.
while i understand that there will be some people still alive who feature on it and that will be a bigger number than the amount on the 1911 there must be a way around that particular issue.
also was there actually a 100 year rule applied to census returns?