General Chat

I have spoken to several people (not on Genes) who have already completed their census and either posted it or filled it in on line.

How can anyone say who was staying overnight on the 27th a week before the day? what sort of results are they going to get this time?

Ok if my sons stayed over with their families does that mean they dont fill one in for their house?

I would think their families would have to show them on theirs as 'visitors' Sue.

Exactly Ann, anything could happen in the household before the 27th as well!

Contrary to earlier censuses which only recorded people who were actually resident, the 2011 census is rather different.

This time, all members of the family are recorded, whether or not they are present on the night. This includes those who are living away from home, or visiting someone else.

These people are also recorded for the address they are actually resident on the night of the census as either living in a second home or as a visitor.

The only issue you have in filling in your return early is if you have an unexpected visitor on the night.

So in the question above from Sue, if your sons stayed over with their families , they DO have to be included in the return for where they normally live, AND in addition need to be included as visitors for the address where they were on the day.

The front page of the census form does state that it should be filled in ON or soon after the 27th March.

I must admit I have already filled in ours (I don't have guests staying with us) but I won't post it until the 28th March just to be sure.

I'm really disappointed that place of birth or number of years married and how many children to a marriage has not been asked.

Kath. x

Kath yes I agree that for future genealogists it is disappointing. Place of Birth should certainly be there.

However I gather anything to do with marriage was not an option because so many couples these days don't bother, Perhaps their children's relationship should be recorded as 'bastard' or, is that taking it a bit too far.....?

Oh......that would certainly get the fur flying in some families!!

I think that family history will be virtually impossible in the future as families are so complicated these days.

Kath. x

I hadn't read all the form yet InspectorGreenPen so thanks for that. It is interesting that the family could be recorded at more than 1 address. Children could be elswhere on 'sleepovers' these days. More things to watch out for for future genealogists!!

BTW how should you answer Q28 on the form if you are retired and not looking for work?

If you are retired, Q26 you tick 'none of the above'. Q30 you tick 'retired'.

OH complained not an hour ago I had not filled in my part and I informed him he could put it whereever he wants until 27th March which is when I fill it in!

I hate to mention this but it is not only that you may have guests. Heaven forbid it should happen but anyone could actually not be alive on the night.

I find it strange that people can be rcorded in two places. I had seen that when reading the form though.

IGP can you anwser a question for me please. Daughter owns an apartment, one of 4 or 5 in a large house which is let by an agency as holiday lets in the Lake District. I don't think there is anyone in the apartment that week. What is returned on the census and who would fill it in? the agency? Any idea?

I listened to that programme on Radio 4 yesterday - Tracing Your Roots - Census Special, and the presenter suggested photocopying the booklet before posting so that our descendents don't have to wait 100 years to look at what we recorded. Obviously not applicable to the online version!

Tracing Your Roots:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006zbxm

To AnninGlos - my cousin's wife has filled in her form and sent it off. It was only the day afterwards she realised what she had done and went into a panic.
I will let her know that she isn't the only one.....jl

I think people who are not used to census forms and who don't read the small print are going to make that mistake. We are so conditioned to filling in forms and sending them immediately.

My husbands grt Uncle filled his in and sent it off last week, OH rang to tell them and they didn't seem a bit bothered. I said the same as AnninGlos he is 84 you never know.

Who will complete the one sent to the ticket machine? :-)

- http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8897540.No_common_census_as_Moors_Valley_ticket_machine_gets_form/

We've had this 'discussion' with the in laws (mid 80's) . They are sticking by not completing it until the morning of the 28th as they aren't sure if someone will be staying overnight.

OK - their choice, but they haven't even opened the envelope yet and are sure to get in a flap and panic when they see the personal questions - lol

Presumably so that people can look in and see what the questions are. Censuses have always been done on a specific date.