LONDON-L Archives

Archiver > LONDON > 2003-09 > 1063478365


From: Liz <>
Subject: Re: [Lon] end of an era for BMD as we know it??!!
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 19:39:25 +0100
References: <10d.29adacfc.2c94b64f@aol.com>


wrote:
>
> In a message dated 13/09/2003 13:40:25 GMT Daylight Time,
> writes:
>
> > > Had the url below sent me re the new BMD proposed. Wondered if everyone
> > had seen it. Eileen.
> > >
> > > As for the death of BMDs as we know them. Take a look at the relevant
> > article which is at www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-809667,00.html
> > and you'll see what I mean. It heralds the end of an era!!
> > >
> >
> > All I get is the Times trying to sell me a subscription to their online
> > news. Are you an agent for them ?
> >
>
> As I read it it is for all new BMD some time in the future, Would it not be
> wonderful if all the census's were available on line all church records etc
> would not that make our lives a lot easier?
>
> Keith

But that is NOT what is proposed. These digital records will no longer
be available to the public, only to officials. There will be no more
paper certificates. While we will have possibly BETTER access to records
more than 100 years old the records of anyone born 100 years ago or
less, regardless of whether or not they have died will only be
obtainable in a censored form. Cause of death will become a secret, as
will occupations of parents on marriege records ... to name but a couple
of changes.

It will become nearly impossible to follow the central tenet for
beginners to start with themselves and work back....

And the records which have been Public Records since 1837 will suddenly
be taken from the public and used/abused by the authorities. The
absolute reverse of Freedom of Information.

If anyone wishes to know more they should read the proposals at the URLs
provided by Tony Mitchell .... and also search our archives for
discussions last year under Civil Registration.

The new magazine Your Family Tree has a very good article by Else
Churchill .... Family Tree Magazine had likewise from Anthony Camp.

It is most important for all of us who have concerns about these
proposals to write to our MPs asap. Representations from, say, the
Society of Genealogists with all the members that it has only count as
ONE dissenting voice :-( Numbers count in policy making so many many
short notes of complaint to MPs carry most weight ... childish as it
seems we have to bug them!

Liz (Greenwich UK)

This thread: