Most weekends BI-Gen will take a break from the world of family history news and wander into other areas. This new ‘Something for the Weekend’ feature will give myself and others the chance to vent their spleens with an opinion-piece, to recommend a product or research technique, or to simply show-off their expertise! Who knows what will find its way onto the blog?
If you’ve an idea, run it past me - I'd really like to hear from you. There is no need to be an expert, a published author, or qualified in any way. If you've got something interesting to say, get in touch with me at micksouthwick@blueyonder.co.uk .
This week we take a look at the future (or otherwise) of the Census...
Is the Census History?
The ten-yearly count of the
The Census has been with us, as I'm sure you all know, for over 200 years. Taken every ten years since its inception in 1801 (missing only 1941 due to the nation being otherwise engaged), its only official aim was to provide statistical information for the government of the day – with a view to influencing policy decisions. A handy side effect for those of us interested in history – especially family history, of course – is that it helps us pinpoint the whereabouts of our ancestors at ten-yearly gaps (well, at least since 1841, when individuals were first named in the returns). In fact, it is so handy that one may be forgiven for thinking that the Census was introduced all those years ago for the sole benefit of family historians.
Anyway,
in this day and age (so say the politicians), the old-fashioned survey of the
population is just not cost effective – especially when one considers that
there are so many other much cheaper and more efficient ways of collecting the
relevant data (it cost around £450-£500m to conduct the 2011 Census). By using existing
public and private databases is will be possible, we are told, to take local or
nation surveys almost at will, for whatever purposes future governments may
need the information. Nothing is yet
set in stone, but it does seem likely that last year's Census was the last data-collecting exercise of its kind.
One’s
initial response – well, as a genealogist, anyway – is that this is a great
shame. First of all, of course, it will
surely deny future generations of family historians of a primary source of data
– one that is absolutely central to our current research methods. Secondly, Census Day seemed to me to be just
about the only time that we, as weirdo genealogists, seem to be at one with the
rest of the ‘normal’ population. Suddenly everybody is interested in learning about ‘this Census thing’,
and we’re in a neat and somewhat lofty position of superiority. “You’re into this family history lark, Mick –
what’s this Census business about, anyway?” It’s about the only time that anyone ‘on the outside’ shows a genuine
interest in our hobby.
But
is it really such a disaster? Well, it
really all depends on one crucial aspect of the forthcoming ‘new regime’. And that is: will the many and varied
alternative sources of information to which the government refer ever be made
fully ‘public’? In other words, will the
Census alternatives be open to scrutiny to future researchers so that they may
successfully compile family trees and histories in the way we can of our
ancestors today? I would say that, yes,
subject to an appropriate period of closure, they probably will. Probably.
In fact, there will, hopefully, be a good deal more in the way of source
material for future genealogists to consult judging by the amount of
information that is currently out there about us all! It wouldn't surprise me if my
great-great-grandchild, spinning through the archives by whatever means in 100
years time, may be able to turn to their fellow researcher and say, “Oh, I see
my great-great-grandfather had an account at Argos in 2008 … oooh, and
look at what he ordered for his new house on 27th September. Very retro.” Or whatever.
One
thing’s for sure. Our generation will
leave far more behind for posterity than our ancestors ever did. What, with all the various forms of media
which are flooding our lives, it will be almost impossible for our
great-great-grandchildren to not know what we all looked like, how we all
moved, what we all did, and maybe even what we all thought back in the early 21st
century … Census or no Census.
But
it’d still be kinda nice to have the quaint, old-fashioned Census Returns for
them to look at, wouldn’t it? As we all know, it was possible (as an option) to lodge the 2011 Census information
online. Maybe the answer is to keep the Census, but make this
‘online option’ compulsory in future years, therefore slashing costs … and
keeping us family history freaks happy.
Mick Southwick.