Genealogy Chat

You can fax your MP easily by going to "faxyourmp(.) com".

nudge

nudge

I'm a bit confused on this proposed 100 year rule. Does this mean that a death certificate won't be available for someone if they died less than 100 years ago, even though if they died at a great age they could have been born almost 200 years ago? Or, is it just births less than 100 years ago? Margaret

Margaret, This is something that has come to the attention of the Federation of Family History Societies. The proposals state: "The Government has concluded that historic records should be defined as those relating to people born over 100 years ago and that these should be made fully available to the public. In line with the census, this could include information collected for statistical purposes. As records move to the over 100 year old category they would be classed as historic and as such become open records". The FFHS responded to this particular extract and I quote the following from the feedback on their website: "It is not clear how this might be achieved. In the case of birth registers it should be relatively straightforward, since a birth register by definition contains records of individuals who were born at around the same time, and when the 100 years have passed since the latest birth registered, the whole volume could be opened to public inspection. Marriage and death registers, on the other hand, contain entries relating to people of varying ages, so by the time the youngest individual in a completed volume is 100 years old, many of the others will be very much older than that. This would be most pronounced in the case of death registers, where a volume containing the deaths of centenarians and infants would be closed for 200 years after the birth of some of the subjects". Andy.

Andy People on the 1901 census are listed and they obviously died much later than 100 years ago. Example: the late Queen Mother is on the 1901 census. She only died last year. So, we could look at names on a census but not buy their death cert?? That doesn't mean that I want the QM's death cert!!!! Margaret

Margaret, I think the Queen Mother is a good example with regards to how I think this system is supposed to work. It would seem that the Queen Mother's birth details would be deemed as a historical record, because they are over 100 years old and therefore fully open to public inspection. However, because she died in 2002, the details of her death would not become "historical" until 2102. Hence, technically you could look up to find out when she died but the details of what caused her death would not become public until 2102. This is only my interpretation and understanding of the guidelines. Andy.

think this needs another nudge

nudge

This was sent to me by a genealogist on a mailing list I'm on: Just in case there are some that are not aware of the proposed changes to the current registration legislation - please read on... ...The Society of Genealogists will of course make a formal response on behalf of its members. But this will count as only one response. For the views of the genealogical community to count as many individual responses as possible must be submitted... ...Responses to this document should be made no later than October 23 The General Register Office published the long awaited detailed consultation document called 'Civil Registration: Delivering Vital Change' on July 10. This sets down the government's proposed changes to the legislation relating to the civil Registration Service in England and Wales by means of a Regulatory Reform Order There are sections in this document that will severely affect family historians and it should be read in detail. Responses to this document should be made no later than October 23 and sent to: Lorraine Cole Civil Registration Review Consultation Room 126 General Register Office Smedley Hydro Trafalgar Road Southport Merseyside PR8 2HH Fax 01633 652 953 Email [email protected] An electronic version of the document can be found on the following websites: www.statistics.gov.uk/registration www.ukonline.gov.uk www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/act/condocs.htm On preliminary reading the section most affecting genealogists are chapters 6 to 8 (pp91-120) but there will be other sections that will affect the work of family historians. The Genealogy Officer will of course be making a formal response on behalf of the Society and would appreciate comment or feed back from members to assist her in this process (email [email protected] ). Annex I of the Consultation Document is a response form that sets out all the issues on which views are being sought. It has been designed, in a simple format, to gather the information that will be needed for the next stages of the process. It would be most helpful if respondents could use the response form in Annex I to submit their views to the GRO and to send a copy to the Society. A version of the response form can be found on the General Register Office web pages at www.statistics.gov.uk/registration/whitepaper/response.asp or is available in printed form at the Family Records Centre.

I think this needs a nudge up. Protests must be received by 23rd October to have any chance of success. It really behoves us all, as individuals , to do what we can to be allowed to continue our hobby without government interference. Most of the information they arwe suggesting is freely available from electorals and telephone directoris anyway - but we must protest now! Rosi

The devonfhs (Devon Family History Society) has summarised the issues under the link white paper. Saves having to trawl through all the blather, repetition and gobbledegook. One anomoly (one of many) is the need for privacy. They cite a woman being the victim of domestic violence would not want her address made public. But one of the persons allowed the unrestricted version would be her husband.

nudge up

Are they really allowed to get away with this!!!!!!!! my god i can't belive this goverment,have they nothing better to do,than cause mayhem.whats the reason have they got children that they dont want to find them???? whatever it is i'll send my email or letter to tinax

I think this has been in the pipeline for a while. My family history tutor told us about it a good two years ago.

I wonder what they're afraid of?

nudge - tis time to do it now!

nudge

I think this would be ridiculous, how would anyone properley research there family tree. This government don't have enough to do thats there problem. Look at the americans they can view almost any info they like including more recent CENSUS returns. Just wish my ancestors were American. probably be so much more easier to trace them. They should send out a letter to every household to see if people want this to happen. surely people will not vote for this to be put in place.

Hi As well as nudging this to the tope - I have sent a letter to my MP - for what good that will do. Prehaps - if everyone sent a copy to Tony Blair and IDS and bombard them - they might get a idea of how people feel Liz