General Chat

Well I'm not removing mine Merry. As I said on the thread on the tips board People are missing the point here Even if the government said yes tomorrow, it wouldn't be ready to go online before the 2012 date anyway. The task of filming and digitising is enormous. The 1911 census is much larger than the 1901 and apparently that took 5 years to film and digitise. I too would love to see the 1911, but know I will have to wait. Just the same as I remember waiting for the 1901 and the 1891. The 1891 wasn't put on the Internet either, you had to either travel to London or visit the area you needed to see it on microfiche. No indexes either, had to trawl through fiche after fiche.

Imagine if they said they will release it, say, 1st Jan 2007, because of a petition......and then said, they are not bothering to digitise it, to save money. I would not be happy with those who had signed!!! OK, OK, OK will delete soon ..................................... Merry

Merry Do not delete Your point is a very valid one and I totally agree with you. I don't want to go back to the old days of searching census records.

Might I respectfully suggest that you read the petition which asks for the release (to comply with the FOI Act 2005) and the digitisation. Take care Paul

Paul, I'm not saying that would happen (very unlikely indeed!)........just that everything isn't always as clear-cut as we expect! Merry

Paul Why are you ignoring the time scale involved for such a mammoth task?

. I am not intending to 'stomp' on anyone and 'yes' the 1911 may be interesting as and when it comes out - but I am agreeing with Margaret that the time factor alone in preparing this mammoth task will not now bring forward a release date. I also still contend that any information that you will find should have already been covered in your researches from 1901 - 1911.

Margeret, If they cut the amount of staff by half, would it take twice as long? if they doubled the amount of staff how long would it take then???? Rod

That's better, healthy debate lol Merry, I wasn't asking you to delete, nor anyone else. There is much to be said for and against the early release of the 1911 census, and this is just the right place to be speaking up from whatever viewpoint you take on this. I also understand what a huge task this is, (just from doing the voluntary transcription for FreeeBMD!), and how costly this would be. There is also a question hanging over it, as to whether it should be released at all! If a few signatures, albeit asking for an early release, can convince the government that it would be worthwhile releasing it at all then we have acheived something in these democratic times. So, whatever the opinion, don't delete it, just remember that the person who puts up the idea is doing it with the best of intentions and doesn't need to be made to feel stomped on through a few valid but bluntly put opinions. Sorry if what I have said in support of Susan has also come across as blunt, that wasn't my intention either.

Rod I would rather see the numbers of nurses increased in our hospitals than allocate extra staff to this project. I will be ready when it is ready. As with all archives, the people are dead, the records aren't going anywhere just because some are impatient to see them. I have burning questions myself about family members that would probably be answered by the 1911 census, but I will wait until it is done properly.

Horses for courses Margeret, I would think the education standard for doing the census would be far less than that needed for nurses, there is a lot of people out of work at present. Of course so would I like to see more nurses working in our hospitals but then the NHS are getting rid of them (which we all have our views on) I notice you didn,t answer my two questions? Rod

Those opposed to early release, seem to be forgetting that not all of us have youth or time on our side for other reasons, I myself won't live long enough for the 1912 release so would welcome being able to conclude my tree with that year which is crucial to my tree. There are many volunteers willing to copy Census forms, I have a friend who regularly helps out in Manchester so it wouldn't be impossible. Strength in numbers no harm in trying...............nothing ventured nothing gained. Keep at it Sue

The ONS has already stated that this work will be contracted abroad (lower wages costs). A finite amount of money has been allocated by the ONS for this task - and its your money and mine, Tax payer's money. They could indeed double the number of staff they employ - and buy double the number of scanners, and supply double the amount of accommodation needed for all this - but who is to pay for it? Not me! OC

OC cant tell me you didn,t contribute to the 1901 census?? Rod

I would like the 1951 census released as I would like to see myself on it, unfortunately I will be 104 so I think its about the same chance of them releasing the 1911 census as me living to 104, much as I would love to have an early release on the 1911. Pam

Susan Sorry, but Genealogy does not come into the catagory! Ok, in 1911, apparently, no one was given 100 year confidentiality, but that is what was offered prior and after, that ruling has to stand. I would love for it to be bought forward, as many people researching their ancestors, but look at it in realty, they are ANCESTORS, and been dead for a few years or much furhter, and all we are doing is researching our ancestors. The Census were not actually meant for us, but for enviromental purposes, houseing, how people lived, means, etc. Just becuase we WANT to trace our families back doesn't mean we have sole right to offical documents. Kim

Sorry Rod, I don't understand? OC

Alan, There is a reference to the petition in the first post on page 1 of this thread. Green

OC sooner or later we all pay our share of the cost of researching the census returns, you stated your not paying the cost of transcribing the 1911 census. of course you will pay your share in the end wont you. Rod

No, Rod, what I said was that I am not prepared to pay the EXTRA cost (out of my Taxes) which would be incurred by doubling the staff and resources needed to get this census out earlier than is planned. OC