I write to draw attention to the current Office for National Statistics
(ONS) consultation regarding the topics to be included in the 2021 Census as
I feel that there has been very little general publicity regarding this
current consultation which ends on 27 August 2015. One piece of critical
information that has been provided in each of the published censuses from
1851 to 1911 has been the declaration of an individual's "Place of Birth".
This information, together with the age has enabled researchers to know
where to look for the Birth Certificate from which we get the names of the
parents and we can then continue our research into another generation.
There was no "Place of Birth" Question in the 2011 Census and the last time
it appeared was in the 1951 Census. It's high time that it returns to the
census questionnaire and the only way that it will happen if we, the current
family history researchers, demand that it is included in the 2021 Census.
We, in the Gwynedd FHS, have prepared a strong case for its inclusion and we
would urge all individual researchers to complete the questionnaires. This
is probably our last opportunity to have our say on the issue and we must
consider the needs of the researchers in the future.
More background information and information on the Consultation Process and
guidance on how to download and complete the questionnaire can be found on:
<
http://hywelfamilyhistory.com/> http://hywelfamilyhistory.com The family
history researchers of the future will be most grateful to your support on
this issue.
Diolch yn fawr / Thank you very much,
Hywel Roberts