Genealogy Chat

I think it would be because people were being forced to reveal personal details to the government. It was decided in 1966, I think, that the 100 year rule would apply to all census returns as regards general access. This was challenged recently, hence the 1911 census being released early.

I must say that, if I thought that future census returns would be released early just to satisfy the demands of internet amateur genealogists (of which I am one!) then I would do everything I could to avoid filling the next one in, or I would enter totally misleading details. As did the 390,000 people who put their religion down as 'Jedi Knight' in the last census :-)

Ian

I still don,t understand this ...the 1911 census cannot be released early but the military records for WW1 which hold far greater personal information are now freely avaliable (if they have survived ). One of these records for my family revealed an illegitimate daughter giving her full DOB in 1918 along with her mothers name .!.As the pension records detail survivors information , seems a bit strange that census in 1911 is unavaliable untill 2012..
Kim

Sounds as though there may be some useful information early then. I wonder how they will be able to determine information about family relationships which would "usually have been kept secret" ?
Having looked at the web site mentioned by Jim (thanks Jim and Jane btw) it says the original transcripts are available, that show our ancestor's handwriting!
It's going to be SOOOOO exciting!

I cannot wait until 2012, lol - anyone got a time machine i could borrow

Accessing the 1911 census - taken from www.1911census.org.uk

The next census that will be available to the public will be the eagerly awaited 1911 census. In recent years, census information has been closed, certainly for family history purposes, for 100 years which is why the latest generally available to the public is that taken in 1901. The National Archives were planning to make the 1911 census available in January 2012 but a ruling by the Information Commissioner in December 2006 means that the National Archives have been forced to make the information available now. However for practical reasons, all that is available at the moment is a paid for search by National Archives staff to give the details of people living at a nominated address.

Recently (April 2007), National Archives announced that ScotlandOnline will be their partner in the project to put the 1911 census for England and Wales online. From 2009 there will be a phased release of the information starting with the major conurbations; this will include images and transcription data.

A caveat on this is that "personally sensistive" information will not be available until 3 January 2012. According to the minutes of the FRC User Group in January 2007, this would include "details of infirmity or other health-related information, information about family relationships which would usually have been kept secret and information about very young children who were born in prison".

If you want to take advantage of what the National Archives are calling their "basic research service", you will need to provide a House Name or Number or a Building Name or a Vessel Name plus the Civil Parish and County. They will charge their standard fee for their paid search service - currently £45 per address search - and they will be no refunds for unsuccessful searches.

BW

Jane

Search the archives | 1911 censusThe 1911 Census must remain closed as a whole document until 2012, to protect personally sensitive information. However the Information Commissioner's ...
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/1911census/

I have recently seen a couple of references to the 1911 Census becoming available next year. ie 2009. Does anyone have any more information on that? It will be fantastic to get it a bit earlier than 2011 which was when I supposed it would come out.