Destruction of Records

[mogwood]

Definitely should not be destroyed  -  at least, not yet and maybe never.  Nor do I think that the digital copies should become the definitive official record - factually, they are not the original records.

I know it's not a census as such, but have all the paper census records been destroyed?

Possibly it is something that can be re-visited in say, 10 yrs., by which time all  the bugs and mistakes hopefully will have been corrected by FindMyPast.  (one can live in hope  )

What actual records are 'they' thinking of destroying? 

There has been space for them somewhere all this time since 1939, so put them back there for now.

[DavidG02]

Thank you for bringing this to peoples attention Guy

Yes the first reaction is '' no'' and ultimately I think that will be my position as well. I think a Primary Source should always be kept at the existing Record centre.

It may well be dependent on the materials used ie poorly made paper and the life of that paper anyway. I think we all accept that there is a finite life to material and most old books and records are kept in areas to prolong their lives. Some of these books and records are copies of earlier books and records anyway.

What difference does it make to transcribe to the internet as opposed to a new book? We clamour now for ''electronic BMD records'' without thought to the paper records. Why would this be any different? Over time Digital Record - even with their own peculiar failings - will become the norm.

My final position would be -  let the paper collapse on its own , don't destroy it just because.

[Chris Dallimore]

Didn't they plan to destroy the WW1 medal cards, until somebody pointed out that some of them had notes on the back?

[pinefamily]

Excuse my ignorance, but I haven't been following this register too closely. Is the digital record simply a transcription, or is it a set of digital images, with an accompanying transcription?
And I agree with David; don't destroy it for the sake of room or whatever reason.

[kateblogs]

“The National Archives will not retain the original material and the newly created digital record will become the definitive official record.”

That doesn't say that the originals will be destroyed, just that the National Archive won't keep them.

Mean_genie said "The original records remain in the custody of HSCIC, they were not transferred to TNA, and they won't be." Which suggests they will be preserved, they just won't be available for open access, but the digital archive will.

[andycand]

Hi

Where were the records physically located previously? I thought they used to be at the GRO (Southport) and that you applied to he NHS Information Centre, The 1939 Register Team at Southport for release of data. This service is closing from monday and being taken over by Findmypast. My reading of the tender document is that the paper records would not be held at TNA but stored elsewhere.

Andy

[GillyJ]

I think paper records should definitely be kept as they are the genuine record - digital records are as good as the people who input the information and errors can be made or things omitted. We have had experience recently where original records proved to be invaluable - one a Church history project brought to life by original photographs and written records and another where all paper records of an organisation had been destroyed some time ago leaving no record whatsoever of the organisation in the 1960's. As members from this time we have helped to piece the history together by accessing the informaton kept by individuals but much will be gone forever for only parts have been retained by the members.

[Mean_genie]

A digital version of a record isn't the same as a transcription. These particular digital records comprise images AND transcriptions. Not the same as original paper documents, but invaluable when the paper version is at risk from frequent handling, and the 1939 Register books were in constant use for more than 50 years.

[ricoba]

What month was the 1939 taken?
my parents and my older sister left uk in 1939.
only my sister is alive now.
do I have to send death certs for my parents from Australia?
thanks for any replies.   .May have missed this info if it has been posted.
Regards Ricoba