Release Census Early Campaign - Please read & reply !

[Hussar]

I have tried to get a copy of the 1921 census from the ons but they refused. I made a complaint to the Info Comm but they found against me. I am still waiting for a copy of the decision notice. When I get that I will appeal. There is too much secrecy surounding the census. A wealth of info can be found in other areas which makes it stupid to keep the census closed for a 100 years.

[Hussar]

I recently complained about ONS refusing to give me a copy extract from the 1921 census. I complained to the Information Commissioner and after about 12 months wait got the reply I did not want. The Information Commissioner found in favour of the ONS.

[Sherwood]

Maybe we need a section on future Censuses to specify how long we want our details to be kept confidential, ranging from say 20 years to 100 years.  It would take some time to have any real effect but at least it would put the decision back with the informant rather than the Government/ONS.

There could also be a section on the 2011 Census to effect this retrospectively as well (i.e. when do you want your info from 2001, 1991, 1981, etc. to be released) but I suspect that would be fraught with problems of linking you to the right historical record, especially where your name has changed at some point).  Not sure what we'd do with historical records of dead persons (arguably they can't give permission so it stays at 100 years, defeating the aspirations of many genealogists).

Sherwood.

[Mum44]

Well, in my experience, quite a lot of the information given on census is blatantly incorrect anyway- through ignorance or design who knows -       different ages every 10 years, different place of birth every 10 years, yes we're married - no they're not! This is my eldest daughter - no she's not she's your wife's daughter ! I'm a widow - no you're not, he's living in the next village and says he's married to someone else, etc. etc.

That being the case, releasing the census after 50 years isn't going to reveal much contentious about anyone except that they lied on the census!     It seems that even allowing for ignorance of dates and places, anything they wanted concealed wasn't declared in the first place!

[Rupert96]

I'm all for 1911 census being released earlier. The concerns I keep reading mainly relate to the privacy issues.

For the life of me I cannot find any information online for people living around that time in 1911. After the 1901 census I'm stumped.

Yet I am amazed that today in '2008' I can find hugh amounts of information relating to living people online.
Immigration records on Australian National Archives has my parents and siblings birth dates and where they were born (mum & sisters living) even photo's.
You can find anyone on the Electoral Roll, Telephone Directory. Just google anyone and you can guaranty their email address will appear. You can even find out in some cases where people work.  Even current death/funeral indexes online give out enough information to know where they were living prior to death. I use the Ryerson Index (Australia) which has current deaths.

I'm more concerned with 2008 that people can get anyone's personal details, seems to be a lot online. You can understand now how easy it is for people to steal someone's identification.

Please release the 1911 census today. I'm starting to run out of information.
I may have to start researching living people as there is more information to collect.

Cheers
Rupert

[Jan Ann]

HiYall

I started this debate some time ago ( I know there have been others before me)  BUT the 1911 census has SO much to offer as from 1912 onwards mother's maiden names are available on the GRO so it is simpler to search. In between 1901 - 1911 the maiden names are not mentioned so it is far more difficult to trace rellies.

From 1912 you can find anyone on either Free BMD or Ancestry et al. It may take time, but at least with a little patience, the answers are before you 1901 - 1912 is so frustrating! early release (which I believe is imminent) would solve a lot of questions.  I know a few who have had success by paying £40 or searches of addresses but I dont think the price is affordable for most of us

Lots of Luck to All of you 
Cheers
Jan

[Mean_genie]

Scotland Online have set up a 'microsite' where you can follow the progress of the digitisation project so far. There isn't mush there yet, but you can register for updates

www.1911censusinfo.co.uk/census-news.php

Mean_genie