1851 Census - The Continuing Saga .....

[DavidWW]

After much discussion in User Group meetings in 2005 and 2004 about unrealistic availability dates for new datasets on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk - see the published minutes, - it had been hoped that the availability dates for the 1851 and 1841 census indexes and images would be met.

Demonstrably, however, January 2006 hasn't been met for the 1851 index and images.

Normally I wouldn't have made a post such as this until the minutes from the most recent User Group meeting had been published, but in the continued absence of the publication of the minutes from the meeting on 30th January, consider in this instance that yet a further broken promise requires some comment.

I understand that the earliest possible date for the availability of the 1851 census index and images is now the end of February, with a distinct chance that this date could slip into March.

Whether or not such a delayed release date for the 1851 index and images will have a knock-on effect on the release date for the 1841 index and images is a question that has been asked.

David
Currently a member of the SP User Group, but giving continued membership very serious consideration

[Lizzie]

Thank you for your post , I am sure we all appreciate your concerns on this on going useless forcasting of census of which we are subjected to each time. Maybe if whomever is responsible for this, said nothing until the damn thing is up and going. We might then not get our knickers in a knot because we had once again been mislead, or should we say streached the truth, really cannot think of a phrase which will do this justice! Well I can but I cannot write it here!

Lizzie

[DavidWW]

Thank you for your post , I am sure we all appreciate your concerns on this on going useless forcasting of census of which we are subjected to each time. Maybe if whomever is responsible for this, said nothing until the damn thing is up and going. We might then not get our knickers in a knot because we had once again been mislead, or should we say streached the truth, really cannot think of a phrase which will do this justice! Well I can but I cannot write it here!

Lizzie

Your sentiments fully understood

There is an increasing opinion amongst SP User Group members that specific dates for the availability of new information on SP should be abandoned. Instead of specific dates, it should just be shown that such additional information is "planned".

It could well be argued that such an approach should have been adopted long since, and that it's a bit late now!, but when one is given repeated reassurances about future dates being met by someone one has no reason to distrust, and who gives every evidence of understanding the consequences of repeated failures to meet previously promised dates, it's not such a straightforward situation to deal with ............

David

[Lizzie]

Well said, and I am with you Davie.. It also must be way past your bed time over there. It may look nay say bad in the morning.

Good night
Lizzie

[DavidWW]

Well said, and I am with you Davie.. It also must be way past your bed time over there. It may look nay say bad in the morning.

Good night
Lizzie

Hi Lizzie

Only just twigged that your Newmarket is not the one in England

As to the morn's morn, wha kens

David

[GTSCOT]

I have been patiently awaiting the 1841 & the 1851 census so I can continue my digging. But I came to the conclusion some time ago that the dates were "flexable". It must be a very labour intensive task.

Meanwhile I continue with the task of puting my tree in order. When the data is up online, I will spend the money to access it.

In fairness I would say that the SP.gov site and the data and detail available is light years ahead of what I have been able to obtain (online) from Ireland (Northern and Republic of) and and my limited experience of the English BMD site where surname searches are limited to first 3 or 4 letters of the surname (all the better to to create revenue I suppose).

[trish1]

I would have to agree that the records available in Scotland (and accessible on the net) are light years ahead of most others I need to use.

The powers that be in England lost the plot years ago (probably about 1838 - a marriage index that only shows one half of a marriage ) and those in my home state in Australia don't even know there is a plot - let alone an internet.

Thus said, it is disappointing not to have the 51 and 41 index, I would love to prove/disprove some interesting family folklore.

Trish

[wini]

It is disappointing that the 1851 Census is late, but DAVID please give serious consideration to staying on the User Group, without your contribution it may be a lot longer in coming.

I suppose it is the same old story, lack of resources.

wini

[Thrall]

It is disappointing that the 1851 Census is late, but DAVID please give serious consideration to staying on the User Group, without your contribution it may be a lot longer in coming.

Seconded.

Thrall

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi All

The number of 1841 and 1851 parish censuses that have been indexed and are available through the FHS's are amazing!

Why not join the FHS for the area you are interested in and purchase these for a very small amount. Non members have to pay a little more, but every contribution helps them to further the cause.

For £2.50 I bought an index for 1851 and found three of my lot on there. Then Freecen had the 1841 and I got further back.

Makes up for the fortune I have spent on SP.

Again I can't emphasize how important it is to keep checking Freecen. I've worked my but off doing Morayshire and I'm now involved with transcribing Banff.

Jean