Great tip. Don't say I didn't give you plenty of warning!

Ann In the UK · Post by **Ann In the UK** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:26 pm

Hey all,

I've just read a great tip in a family history magazine (yeah, I do that too when I'm not online

).

When you fill in the 2011 census, take a photocopy (or 10!) of it and store it with all of the other data you've collected. That way, forthcoming generations won't have to wait 100 bloomin' years to find out all about you!

You should ask all of your nearest and dearest to do the same too, and to send you a copy - it'd make the whole job a lot simpler!

Regards,
Ann

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:34 pm

hi Ann

Then all you have to do is ensure those pieces of paper do not become the victims of fire, flood, damp, indifference or recycling or the "shedder"!!

Best wisshes
Lesley

Ann In the UK · Post by **Ann In the UK** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:54 pm

You're kidding - after all the research I've done, this lot is worth more than the crown jewels! In an emergency, guess what'll be rescued first!

(Oh, alright, after the kids and husband

)

Post by **Tracey** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:57 pm

So somewhere lurking in cyberwebbie will be a secret census society like the funny handshake club

as there wont be a way to share this say in 50 years time re the 100 year rule if it's still in place or will there

k . Ive got al sorts of images in my head now..........

Man in beige overcoat "psss, oi mate, over 'ere, wanna buy a census" ?

Post by **paddyscar** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:50 pm

Don' be surprised if Ancestry.com doesn't follow-up on that idea and offer to store the info! (for a fee, of course)

Post by **joette** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:50 pm

Along with a sample & analysis of your DNA.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:24 am

joette wrote:Along with a sample & analysis of your DNA.

heheh I like that idea:)

dennis

Post by **joette** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:05 pm

All those family "skeletons" out of the cupboard.

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:22 am

Next census night grab a sheet of paper and a pencil. Work out how much of your time was devoted to that census. Spend an equal amount of time scribbling down everything that comes to mind about you and your family. That’s things from your own personal knowledge and not what you've picked up from genealogical research, any body can get that anytime. Sign it and date it and toss it where you keep important things. That document will be vastly more valuable than a copy of any census return and will have as much chance of surviving.

The odds are that it won’t survive mainly because of indifference. In 100 years it will be in the hands of one of your 100+ descendants and maybe one or two of the other 99+ will be desperately seeking a 2nd cousin or whatever who may have information about their family.

One of the most important contributions people can make to genealogy is what’s inside their own head or the head of their living relatives. On their demise this is automatically flushed and not even the Super Deluxe version of Ancestry will have it.

Alan

Post by **Anne H** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:11 am

Currie wrote:

One of the most important contributions people can make to genealogy is what’s inside their own head or the head of their living relatives.

I agree with you on that, Alan, and it's the reason I started a family newsletter last year. I not only have something of my own life written down but also lots of good interesting bits and pieces on the lives of the rest of my siblings and their families (even if it is like pulling teeth from some of them.

)

Regards,
Anne H