General Chat

Below is an email I received at work which may be of interest: Subject: 100 year closure There are many people interested in having the 1911 Census released early. Details of a petition set up in Nov 2006 and due to end in March has not been known or advertised (only 1,700 signatures a couple of days ago). Here are the details: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/CensusInfoFreed/ 10 Downing St has set up a web-based means to petition the government, and a petition has been set up to register interest in making this reduction in the census classification period. Any British citizen, resident or expatriate, wishing to add their name to the petition can do so at If you are in favour of reducing the 100 year rule more signatures are needed. I expect this is the best, if not only, chance you will get to have a say. This petition is not specifically about the 1911 census, it is also about reducing the closed period of subsequent censuses including the 1921 and 1931 from 100 years to 70 years. If adopted by the Government it should see these opened immediately. I believe the 1931 was destroyed during WWII but some of it may have survived. Regardless of where in the world you live, if you were born in Britain or if you were born outside Britain and either parent was a British Citizen, you are eligible to sign as an Expatriate. I would also point out that even if you were required to renounce your British Citizenship on becoming a national of another country, e.g. the USA, you are still eligible to sign because the British Government does not recognise renunciation of Citizenship. Early access to censuses is of primary importance to all those researching British ancestors. Censuses have relevance to people who lived in every part of the country. Note that whilst *mention* of the petition ought not be banned it is quite reasonable to expect that a List/Board owner might consider it 'Off Topic' and want to prohibit discussion of it. There is a counter-petition circulating which seeks to maintain the status quo - so far with only 10 signatures but that will change. So, SIGN and get other eligible family members to do likewise

this has been going around for a couple of weeks now so I think there would be more signatures by now. Think there was a thread about it also a while back

OK thanks. This is the first I have seen of it and thought I would pass it on. Tx

Thanks for this. Thought you might like to see the email I have recieved, I think I have seen something some where else about it . MAy be wrong here but think that they will search an address but not a paticular name and that the cost is going to be Wait for it !!! £45. Think I will hav eto wait on that one the one I relaly want not even sure which street they lived in. Germaine x UK 1911 and 1921 censuses to open soon 1911 Census The National Archives (TNA) planned to keep the 1911 Census for England and Wales closed to inspection until 2012, when the records are 100 years old. But the Information Commissioner has decided that an extract from the 1911 census must be released in 2006, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. And TNA has responded by agreeing to release other extracts from the 1911 census for a search fee of £45 per household. 1921 Census The Office for National Statistics (ONS) planned to keep the 1921 Census for England and Wales closed to inspection until 2022, when the records are also 100 years old. But the Information Commissioner is expected to decide that an extract from the 1921 census must be released in 2007, under the provisions of the Act. And the ONS is expected to respond by agreeing to release other extracts from the 1921 census. How to apply for an extract from the 1921 Census Applications for Freedom of Information extracts for named addresses in the 1921 Census can be emailed to the ONS at [email protected] or [email protected] Searches cannot be made for named persons. Published by The UK Centre for Census Access Studies Director: Denis McCready Email: [email protected] First created: 13 January 2007

Hi Tonya I looked at the form and there does not seem to be any provision for people like myself with a parent from the UK to sign. Any advice please? Anna in Australia

Thanks for this Germaine. Anna i'm sorry i'm afraid I don't know what to suggest. Someone may read this and have a look and let you know. Tonya x