Genealogy Chat

Crista and Maxine, I printed out the information on the 1901 Census Decoder but I cannot figure out how to access it. Would you instruct me please. Many thanks, Pearl Harries

Pearl, Do you mean you downloaded the program but can't figure out how to run it? There should be a 1901 census icon on the desktop. Click on this to run. You want to run the searches as you would do normally and then click the "process results" button. Once you've processed all the relevant pages click on "View Results". You can then sort on person ids to figure out household members. Crista

Dear Crista, Many thanks for your reply. No, I couldn't even download it! Technology is definitely not my strong point!! Some further instruction would be a blessing. Regards, Pearl Harries

Pearl, Go to www.censusdecoder(.)com You need to download software in either 1 or 3 parts, depending on your connection. Do you have broadband? If so, you want to click on the red "download now" button that has "Click here to download the installation in one file (1901FULLSETUP.EXE). (3532KB)" next to it. Let me know when you've done that. Crista

To Crista Penycate Thanks Crista. I followed your instructions and have now got the 1901 Cesus decoder on my desktop. One slight problem, each time I log-in I get the 'action canceled, please try later' message. Ah well! at least I am getting somewhere at last!! Regards Pearl

Pearl, When do you get that message? As soon as you've double-clicked on the 1901 Census Decoder icon? Crista

Crista, Yes, as soon as I double-click in the icon the message comes up. It also says to click the 'refresh' button but that is not possible, and neither is there one on the tool bar. Pearl

There is a message board on the decoder site. I seem to remember there are some patches there to solve some problems. Also past messages from people who have had queries about the software Martin

I have downloaded the decoder and got it to work OK. The problem I have is that the personal ID number does not match that of the rels I have already found. eg. Walter x is my ggrandfather and when I right click on his name and go to properties it gives me a number which I have noted down. If I use the decoder the personal ID number for Walter x is different. Am I doing something wrong? Karen B'Ham

Thanks for your messages, everyone. I will keep you posted of any progress. Pearl

I believe the ID numbers change each time you do a search. I think it was a security device by the site, to try and stop people using the decoder and doing them out of their fees.

Pearl, Are you on AOL? Crista

Helen OK so this is my stupid question of the day! If the ID numbers change each time you do a search, how does that help me identify people? I tried the whole process on a family that I have already viewed the details for and have confirmed them as correct. I know for sure that the family I want is Walter X, his wife Lily and two daughters Elsie and Dorothy. The ID numbers for these people are consecutive. If I download the info using the decoder then I get Walter X who's age is not correct, his wife's & childrens names are not correct, nor their ages! Karen Birmingham

The person and page IDs change every session. You can run several searches and save the results using the census decoder and the IDs will be consecutive. Crista

Pearl, There's some techincal help for the census here: http://www.census.pro.gov.uk/help/Technical_help.html