Following the popularity of the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are genealogy has never been more popular in the UK, which is perfect timing for the 2011 Census of England and Wales that takes place on March 27.

For the first time householders have the opportunity to submit their census answers online.

25 million household questionnaires, based on a newly developed national address register, will be posted in the run up to the 2011 Census. These should arrive in every residence by the middle of March.

But the Internet, which has revolutionised the family history industry, is at the forefront of the new data gathering.

People will be able to complete the questionnaire online from March 4. The paper questionnaire has a code on the front. This will be the key to unlock the online questionnaire.

Householders should then go to www.census.gov.uk, ‘Click to fill it in’ and follow the on-screen instructions.

New web services have been created for the online questionnaire, and an online help centre will provide advice and guidance for completing the questionnaire.

An accessibility area on the website will provide video and audio assistance, in English and Welsh, for people who are visually impaired or deaf.

A census is a count of the population, and one takes place in the UK every 10 years since 1801 (with the exception of 1941).

It gives a richly detailed snapshot of the population as it stands on one day.

There will be separate censuses across the UK on March 27, 2011 – organised by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in England and Wales, the General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

In addition to being an invaluable resource for family historians the census results play a vital part in the calculation of resource allocation to regional and local government service providers.

It is a legal necessity for all households to return the census questionnaires or submit online.

People who have not returned their questionnaire by April 6 will be called by a census collector soon afterwards.

A month before the 2011 Census takes place the UK’s largest family history event Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE 2011, sponsored by Ancestry.co.uk and The Telegraph, takes place at London’s Olympia at the end of this week: 25 – 27 February 2011.

The event is a one-stop-genealogy-shop where visitors can discover the landscape of their past guided by over 200 exhibitors; ranging from The Society of Genealogists and The National Trust to The Royal Artillery Museums and Family Tree DNA.

Celebrity speakers include television presenter and horticulturalist Monty Don and actor Hugh Quarshie, who will recount tales from their own past. Blackadder actor and archeologist Tony Robinson will also appear at the show to discuss the 1911 Census and how it can be used to piece together a family tree.

Although it is a relatively new tool, DNA testing is now used to confirm family ties where no conventional record exists. At the show renowned international experts will discuss how to apply the latest advances in genetics to help piece together a family tree.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.c ... ID=3261933

I've a funny feeling that online census won't work too well, just a hunch...

Ace.

Mark

Not open to being abused in any way at all...

No more so than the paper version.

Mark

Hmmmm......

Should I be honest and put No Religion, or should I rebel and go for something wacky (that they can't prove I've lied about) like Shinigami?

And what happens if I'm out of the country on March 27th when I'm supposed to fill the paper one in?

I think there's a two or three week period after the date given where you can fill it in.

Mark

How many Jedis this year? I'm not religious but if anything were to be my religion Jedi would fit best.

I was a Jedi last time.

I wonder if I've been converted?

Hopefully a lot more.
The campaign from last time should really be a very strong foundation to be built upon this time.

Mark

I currently don't know whether to take it seriously or fcuk them about , I'll cross that bridge when I come to it I spose...

I believe I've mentioned here before about what we're going to put for our son's religion.
(Long story)

Pagans campaign for Census voice



Pagans in traditional costumes at Stonehenge in Somerset In the 2001 Census, 42,000 people declared themselves as Pagans

Pagans are campaigning for druids and witches to declare their religious affiliation in next month's Census to gain greater recognition for the group.

The Pagan Federation says it wants the same recognition as other faiths.

Secularists say the optional question about what religion people are could lead to artificially large numbers identifying themselves as Christian.

That in turn could lead to an over-provision of faith schools, the British Humanist Association argues.
Jedi Knights

In the 2001 Census, more than 70% of people described themselves as Christian.

The Pagan Federation insists druids, wiccans, witches and other pagans constitute a serious and growing religious group.

Ten years ago 42,000 people declared themselves as Pagans - the seventh highest number for any UK religion - but some experts believe the true figure was nearer 250,000 - and is significantly higher now.

BBC Religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the 42,000 figure was still only a fraction of those describing themselves as Jedi Knights.

Pagans do not worship one single god, but look for the spiritual in nature.

Some groups concentrate on specific traditions, practices or elements such as ecology, witchcraft, Celtic traditions or certain gods.

Wiccans, druids, shamans, sacred ecologists, odinists and heathens all make up parts of the Pagan community.

In October, the Charities Commission granted the Druid Network official status as a religion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12589641

Just thinking about it, mine might go something like this:


Surname: I'm Batman.

Forename: You illiterate scum, I'M THE GODDAMN BATMAN!

Sex: How many times must I... He's just a SIDEKICK!

Age: Highly collectible first appearance, May 1939

Address: Batcave, Gotham

Job: Vigilante, Justice League member

And so on

I dare you!

Mark

I think I will, via the online method