Release Census Early Campaign - Please read & reply !

[Guy Etchells]

You can protect your privacy from these sites by 1. Going ex-directory for your telephone.

2. Putting a cross in the box provided by the
 Council when registering for the Electoral
 Roll will stop your name and address being
 sold to the sites you mentioned.

I find that the sites are using out of date information for addresses and telephone numbers in many cases.

 

Yes putting a cross in the box will exclude your details from the database sold to marketing companies but it does not exclude your details from the full database which may be accessed by anyone who wishes to access it.
Cheers
Guy

[RJ_Paton]

but it does not exclude your details from the full database which may be accessed by anyone who wishes to access it.

Like genealogists who demand immediate access ? 

[goggy]

G,Day all.
Having read through the pro,s and con,s,my thoughts are, that as no definite dates seem to be carved in stone,and as other legal precedents exist for non withholding of census records, we face the alternatives of accepting or rejecting,what look,s to be Governmental back flips!
I do understand the thinking behind the rule;s,Ialso understand security fears on willy nilly exposure of personal detail,s,even though not enabled by lawful decree.
Personally,I stress,personally,open debate is the solution to the problem.Not wishing to muddy the waters but individual,s might be given the right to specify total non disclosure,
 for whatever length of time they choose.

                Regard,s,Goggy.

[Guy Etchells]

A few facts about English records (I state English as the laws concerning records in the various UK countries vary slightly).

Civil Registers - Births, Marriages & Deaths, open for anyone & everyone to see and obtain copies (with the exception of stillbirths)

Electoral Registers, three types full edited & flagged - The flagged register contains everyone registered but is available only to government departments and credit checking agencies.
The full register may be viewed by anyone and copied by hand if so desired
The edited register open to everyone copies are sold to anyone who wishes to purchase such copies.

Parish Registers - Open to anyone who wishes to view them may be sold to anyone may be copied.

Census Returns - Subject to 100 year rule 1901 census and before where open to request for information about a specific address, this does not apply to the 1911 census and later.
Access may be allowed through the Freedom of Information Act ; some of us are currently pursuing this course of action but the procedure is one of steps which must be taken in order.

Future
The government is trying to set up a system of ID cards eventually, it is hoped, this will contain information on everyone in the UK.
Talks are already underway with interested parties to sell this information to those willing to purchase it.

[goggy]

Guy Etchells.
Thank you very much,a true scholar and gentleperson.
Duly recorded for future reference.
                     Goggy.

[Jan Ann]

Hello

I have opened a can of worms here, judging from some of your replies!

I agree with goggy - thanks Guy Etchells for the info concerning Englands laws.

I am quite new to researching my family tree but have found the whole experience very fascinating! and sometimes very frustrating!

What started the argument off in the first place in my mind was when I tried searching for a living relative  - I found them straight away - I then typed in my own name and was shocked to find my own details on the internet, my children's birth details etc.  Yet, though I would like to know more abt my grandparents who both died 20 years ago I will have to wait another 6 years! - ridiculous!

jan

[Jan Ann]

C'mon You Lot

There are an awful lot of people looking at this page but not commenting at all so far 600 views but only 23 replies - stop being cowardly and state your opinion or at least poll you view!

Cheers
Jan

[smeghead]

I think within reason we should be able to view census records up to 1951 if i could view these it would solve a lot of  my family puzzles but i will be to old in 2051 to read it so can not afford to wait that long. On the family relatives site you can view bmd records from 1984! THIS GOVERNMENT SHOULD CHANGE THE RULES WHATS THE DIFFERENCE WHEN CENSUS RECORDS ARE GOING TO INDIA TO BE COPIED TO DISC. 


                                           Jim

[RJ_Paton]

This was from the Census office

postal address - The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU.

Tel: 020 8876 3444

The  '100 year' rule which you mention was introduced in 1966 in Instrument
12  under  the Public Records Act 1958, Section 5. This legislation applied
to  census  records, including those of 1911 that are in the custody of the
National  Archives.  The  Freedom  of Information Act repealed section 5(1)
with  effect  from 1st January 2005 but the exemptions in the Act allow for
Government and Census policy to be maintained.

With  respect to the 1921 and 1951 Census records which are retained in the
custody  of  the Registrar General, these were taken under the terms of the
Census  Act  1920,  which  prohibits  the  release  of personal information
without  lawful authority.  Information from the 1921 and later Censuses is
also  covered  by Section 44 of the Freedom of Information Act which states
that  information is exempt if its disclosure is prohibited by or under any
enactment.

I  hope  this clarifies the position but please let me know if you need any
further information

Yours sincerely

Margaret Wort
Census Legislation