Genealogy Chat

I was one of the enumerators in the 2001 census, a great learning experience I can tell you and a real eye opener to see what mistakes and errors occured on early census. I had to revisit lots of people to ask them more details, for instance they would put that 3 people were living in the house then only include details for 2. When asked why they replied that the third person was only a baby and so didn't think these details were necessary. This was in 2001 so its no wonder lots of rellies were missing from early ones. I also know lots of people that didn't fill in forms or say they lived with who I know they lived with for fear of being found out by the government and then having to pay poll tax etc. Also lots of youngsters saying they were Jedi Knights as their religion!!. I kept one of the forms and filled it out to keep with my family history stuff so if anyone wnats to know what is on these forms let me know and i will include it on here. Nicky

Rosalyn, Was it only in Glasgow? We haven't had anything like that here in Aberdeenshire. Anne

We have a census later in the year - August I think. The forms are hand-delivered/collected and are veritable booklets. We do them every five years (at least I think we do) and it has never occurred me to me to fill them in other than absolutely honestly. Now what does THAT say about me?? Boring old f__t? I suspect! Ours aren't kept although laterly genealogists have pleaded for this to change. Don't know that this had led to a change of policy/heart however, and it will be left to our descendants to 'do it hard' although after all the work of THIS generation, there probably wont be much LEFT to do. Just a matter of accessing all the trees on various databases and slotting yourself in. And 'they' will never know the smug satisfaction of finding someone after years of sleuthing. I don't actually remember filling in many. Too many glasses of wine, I ask myself. Victoria Canberra, Australia

I was amazed a few weeks ago when I came across my ggg-grandparents' marriage - despite this being 1851, he a cobbler and she a domestic servant, both of them had signed the register rather than just crossing it.

From Michael.... ( would have been fascinating to see rellies' handwriting) All mine put an X! I must remember not to put on the 2011....LOL or PMSL now that would be confussing! lol Gerri.

We`ve had a test one this week -in Scotland , there are new questions about your neighbourhood and eating as a family, Ros

I do remember filling out the 2001 one and thinking 'we moved house since 1991', BUT I don't remember the 1991 or 1981 ones. 1961 and 1971 I'd be at home. Wish I'd got copies of them all. 2001 would say our current address, husband would be working for company that have since made him redundant, I was a 'learning support assistant' though I may have put 'teaching assistant' - I think there may have been a guide to occupations. Children would be 9 and 6. nell

Guilty as charged - disastrous hoarder! Just retrieved for your benefit from paper-recycling after attack of tidying... 2001 accompanying/advance-trailer leaflet: People Ethnic Group and Religion (ethnic group appeared 1991 for first time, and religion in 2001 for first time) Health Transport Housing Employment Christine

Well, having lied through my teeth about my age on the 71,81,91, and 2001, I have seen the light and if I am spared to fill in the 2001, I am going to tell the truth, and I am going to write on the form 'This is the truth this time, I was born on..at...and I married...and married...and these are all the addresses I have ever lived at and this is my National Insurance number. Just hope the future generations start by going backwards, that's all! Olde Crone

Tina!!!!!! Sssshhhhhh! Certs are freeeee! diddnt you know that?...thats what my partner thinks anyway ;-)

Eileen You get the 3rd room up the corridor luv! OK? lol At this rate this new nursing homes gonna be full to busting! lol Gerri x

I remember a question in the last census about whether you were caring for an adult family member (physically I think they meant not emotionally!), and how many hours a week you spent doing it. Can't remember exactly how they phrased it but remember doing the maths about how many hours I was spending. Having spent so many hours for the past couple of years pouring over censuses, I have decided to invent all my answers next time, just to confuse my descendants. Am currently practising the technique on my husband - as in 'a cheque for £49 to GRO dear - oh, it's that new supermarket they just opened, Great Reliable Offers'. Tina

There was a thread on here some time ago and people were saying that they put things down like..... Robin Hood Elvis Lives and.. Englebert This was before they started Genealogy!

I don`t ever remember filling or helping to fill a census form in and being in my sixties now I must be on quite a few ! Eileen

The 2001 census forms are available on http://www(.)statistics.gov(.)uk/census2001/census_form.asp I know my children asked to be put down as Jedi Knights, I wonder what future generations will think of that when they decide to trace back? There is also a consultation for what to include for the 2011 census.

Did a form come in the post? or were they hand delivered?

Yep, I remember doing it cos youngest son was in boarding school and I said to hubby, do I put him down as here or will the school put him down. The school put him down aswell. God help his descendants in 100 years time when they find him in two different places!

There was a question about religion too. I don't know if they're keeping the original forms or just the summaries... pity they didn't do the former in the 19th century, would have been fascinating to see rellies' handwriting.

I vaguely remember there was a question about one's ethnic origin in 2001. May be confusing it with some other form, though.

maybe we will remember when we do the next one. jean