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Archiver > MONMOUTHSHIRE > 2007-01 > 1168108060


From: Charani <>
Subject: Re: [MON] Census Petition
Date: Sat, 06 Jan 2007 18:30:25 +0000
References: <03c301c731b5$c7f6cb70$0202a8c0@LEANDER.CO.UK>
In-Reply-To: <03c301c731b5$c7f6cb70$0202a8c0@LEANDER.CO.UK>


Robert Treharne Jones wrote:

> Dear All
>
> As you all know personal information is not made available in the UK until
> 100 years after a census has been taken. The likelihood of anyone being
> alive when that information is published about them is then minimal.

Which is why it was set at 100 years, although more people are living
longer now.

> This is all very well but it does make life challenging for genealogists,

Sorry, but that's tough!! The census was done by the government for
the government, not for the benefit of future genealogists and family
historians.

> and contrasts with a similar period of just 70 years on the North American
> continent, for instance.

That's up to them. The UK apes the US enough as it is.
>
> Well, someone who feels strongly about this has set up an e-petition to try
> and release information from each census after just 70 years. If actioned
> this would mean that we get access to the 1911, 1921 and 1931 censuses as
> soon as it can be arranged!

It won't happen. The people were given a promise that the information
would remain confidential for 100 years. That promise should be
honoured and I'm fully in favour of it remaining at 100 years. If it
isn't, it leaves the government open to being sued for breach of promise.

The 1911 is already in preparation for release and it is already
possible to apply for information from it at £45 a time.

You'll wait a *very* long time for the 1931 census <VBG> It was
destroyed in the War.

There was no 1941 census and the 1939 National Registration is also
covered by the 100 year rule even though it wasn't a census and it
doesn't have the potentially sensitive information that a full census
would.


--
Charani (UK)

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