UK Census petition

I am very interested in family history (or genealogy - it's the same thing) but, here in the UK we have to wait 100 years before Census returns can be published.

The next UK census due to be released is the 1911 returns on Jan 2012.

However, Downing Street is offering a petition for BRITISH CITIZENS, EXPATRIATES and ARMED FORCES to sign, which would reduce the census release period to 70 years, thus making the 1911, 1921 and 1931 censuses available online immediately. If you would like to add your name, please copy and paste this link onto your browser or just click on it and
fill in your details.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/CensusInfoFreed/

Screw genealogy; census returns are invaluable for the reconstruction of British society by social historians!!!! Sign this petition if you know what's good for ya!

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]ThomasQuinn wrote: [/QUOTENAME]...census returns are invaluable for the reconstruction of British society by social historians...[/QUOTE]

So is that a good thing or a bad thing Thomas?

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]John S Stuart wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]ThomasQuinn wrote: [/QUOTENAME]...census returns are invaluable for the reconstruction of British society by social historians...[/QUOTE]

So is that a good thing or a bad thing Thomas?[/QUOTE]

LOL. Unless you had anything to do with the shaping of society at the time, I'd say it's a good thing :P

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]John S Stuart wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I am very interested in family history (or genealogy - it's the same thing) but, here in the UK we have to wait 100 years before Census returns can be published.
[/QUOTE]

I'm interested in genealogy too. I'm searching for Solan dudes and dudettes back there in Ireland. The first Solan's left in early 1800's.

Any idea if I can peep on those records? I have no time right now to take a deep look.

There is one major pitfall with genealogy:

5% (yes, 5%) of all children born are not fathered by the man whose surname they receive. That makes for a very shady family tree, as only ONE instance of this is necessary to break the line...and over dozens of generations...one WILL have occurred.

Are you serious?? The UK only does a Census every century???
Jeeze, the US does one every decade!!! And I thought the UK and Europe prized their history more than the US...they are sure making it difficult for future histroians if this is indeed true.

^ From what I gather, they conduct them every ten years, but only release the information publicly after 100 years.

I am curious as to the reason why, though...

The UK doesn't TAKE a census every 100 years.

They only RELEASE the census every 100 years.

The US is the same. *(edit) give or take 30 years) Census information gathered is publicly released, but not names, addresses, employment, family members, etc.

In the US, you can also not gain access to a persons birth certificate for 100 years, unless you can prove you are that persons direct decendent, ie..son/daughter.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=red>?Sasha wrote: [/QUOTENAME]The UK doesn't TAKE a census every 100 years.

They only RELEASE the census every 100 years.

The US is the same. Census information gathered is publicly released, but not names, addresses, employment, family members, etc.

In the US, you can also not gain access to a persons birth certificate for 100 years, unless you can prove you are that persons direct decendent, ie..son/daughter.[/QUOTE]

You can get special permission for research, too.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=red>?Sasha wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Census information gathered is publicly released, but not names, addresses, employment, family members, etc.[/QUOTE]

Ah... I get it now. XP

I see the problem with those details being released, and I agree with shortening the time period to 70 years. It's not very likely someone who was living in X place in 1931 is still going to be there today (but someone probably is that ancient and still in their family home, just to be spiteful).

ah ha! thanks for clearing that up guys! :-)

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=red>?Sasha wrote: [/QUOTENAME]The UK doesn't TAKE a census every 100 years.

They only RELEASE the census every 100 years.

The US is the same. Census information gathered is publicly released, but not names, addresses, employment, family members, etc.

In the US, you can also not gain access to a persons birth certificate for 100 years, unless you can prove you are that persons direct decendent, ie..son/daughter.[/QUOTE]

Forgive me if you know this, but it's unclear in your post, Sasha. The US releases their census records after 72 years, not 100, due to privacy laws.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Alex Solan? wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]John S Stuart wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I am very interested in family history (or genealogy - it's the same thing) but, here in the UK we have to wait 100 years before Census returns can be published.
[/QUOTE]

I'm interested in genealogy too. I'm searching for Solan dudes and dudettes back there in Ireland. The first Solan's left in early 1800's.

Any idea if I can peep on those records? I have no time right now to take a deep look.[/QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing, I want to see about any Lawrences in Kent and Twins in Greenwich.

All I have is a list of every boat and its passengers carring settlers that arrived in Nelson some time in the 18th Centuary, and thats cos it came in the paper.

Try the electoral rolls, John. Not only does it provide you with names and addresses but, quite often, telephone numbers.

Very handy if you're in the stalking/blackmailing/ money lending business.