Will we be the last generation able to do family research?

[Currie]

A census is a means of collecting statistics not a means of collecting genealogical data. Once the statistics have been collated the returns are of no use to the department that collected them and therefore it makes no difference to them whether the individual records are kept or destroyed. Their usefulness to Genealogists is merely a fortunate by-product. If we had a Minister or Secretary for Genealogy things might be different.

I think that if the Australian Government just bit the bullet and legislated to retain all census records it wouldn’t create too much of a ruckus. A lot of people who tick the destroy box no doubt haven’t given half a thought to the matter and wouldn’t care two hoots whether or not they had the option. The only risk for the Government might be if a major opposition party decided to make political capital from it and I think that unlikely. Some individuals or organisations might make a fuss but I doubt whether it would stay long on the agenda given the great many privacy concerns today that are far more important than whether or not your census information in released in 100 years time.

I’ve heard the argument that if people know their records will be destroyed the information they supply would be less likely to contain falsehoods. If people were truthful on census forms and untruthful with their tax form for example they might be concerned that the information they supplied might some day be used against them. I’m inclined to think that you would have to be pretty stupid to be honest on a census return in that sort of a situation.

The big concern is not so much the 100 year release but the risk that the records will be dipped into for information in the interim. Those concerns will remain so long as people have any doubts about the integrity of politicians and bureaucrats. You might say that you’re just an ordinary person with nothing to hide and why would it matter if they did. Remember the video screen on the wall in Orwell’s “1984”. That year passed by without anything like it eventuating. Or did it?

Now if you were really paranoid you would know for a fact that none of the Australian Census records were destroyed and that they’re all sitting there ready to be used by the people out to get you.

Alan

[mean_genie]

It's a very interesting question, but I think family history research will still be going on. The genealogists of a few decades ago could never have imagined the way we research now, and the methods and resources open to us.

As for modern concerns about privacy, as one door closes, another opens, and all that; there may even be information overload, because we leave much more of a paper/electronic trail wherever we go. Just think of all the driving licence records that so many of us appear in, that may be open to our descendants one day?

And don't forget the number of future genealogists whose immediate ancestors will have researched, preserved and recorded the 19th and 20th century bits already (won't we?) so that they can work on the earlier documents that aren't available to us because they are lying undiscovered, unsorted or uncatalogued in archives and attics.

Just a thought

[helenbee]

I do agree that in some ways things will get easier as more stuff goes online, but my point is really whether the changes in family structure and advances in medical science will balance it out by making it much more difficult for people to trace their families. Obviously there will be many whose family trees are straightforward (and equally it has to be said that a lot of us now can't really prove that we are actually who we think we are) but with a falling marriage rate, changes in social structures, acceptance of same-sex relationships and advances in fertility treatment and so on I think things might get a whole lot more complicated.

[Anne H]

Hi Helen,

...but with a falling marriage rate, changes in social structures, acceptance of same-sex relationships and advances in fertility treatment and so on I think things might get a whole lot more complicated.

There will always be brick walls to frustrate the researcher, and I doubt if it will be much different 100 years on. I think people today are more open, and those who aren't, are likely to slip up and leave some little clues around unwittingly. Researchers will continue on and have more information available to them, as has been said, but the brick walls and frustrations will still be there, no matter what!

Regards,
Anne H