Author Topic: conflicting info about access to records...  (Read 2430 times)

Offline *sara*

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conflicting info about access to records...
« on: Friday 11 July 08 11:40 BST (UK) »
i found my ancestor in 3 seperate asylums - info from registers at TNA.

i then emailed the local record offices and recieved conflicting information from them.

Cornwall:  replied said yes they has info and i could purchase copies - which i did and it was very interesting.
Quote:
"We can photocopy this item for you and you can download a copy order form from our website on www.cornwall.gov.uk/cro then ‘research and document copying services’."

Plymouth:
Quote:
"We are not able to copy the register for you as it is
within the 100 year closure period for access due to the sensitive
nature of the material contained within.

I am sorry I cannot help further."


Hertfordshire:
Quote:
" We do hold some records for Hill End hospital, including patient records.  These records are subject to the data protection act and cannot be disclosed.
This is due to an exemption in the freedom of information act, which acts to ensure personal sensitive data is not disclosed.  "

It goes on to say a person may not have wanted their medical records accessed by descendants and I can request information, however the outcome will be as above.




i am a bit confused, how come one RO will give the information but another will not?  surely there is only one rule for this?  I would like to access to latter records.  Is there anything i can do?

any advice greatly recieved
sara

Offline spiderboy

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Re: conflicting info about access to records...
« Reply #1 on: Friday 11 July 08 13:57 BST (UK) »
Sorry to say but I’ve encountered a similar thing. Probably all down to the interpretation of the Act by the person in charge at that particular records office. In my case it was well outside the hundred-year period but on a subsequent visit to the RO concerned although I was not allowed to copy it one of the archivists dictated the entry to me. Apparently the reasoning was that the particulars of other patients were on the same page.
Spiderboy.
I’m Researching:
CON: Chegwyn, Trayer.
DEV: Bickle, Chegwyn, Gaskin, Hill, Metter, Perry.
DOR: Butcher, Herridge, King, Pain, Palmer, Passmore.
GLS: Martin, Nelmes, Woodward, Young.
SOM: Major, Nation, Sims.
L&SWRailway: Damen, Young.
Wife Researching:
DOR: Burt, Gent, Watts.
STS: Bailey.
SAL: Dawes.
SCT: Raith, Smith, Edwardson. Mollison. Wilson. (MLN & SLI)

Offline stanmapstone

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Re: conflicting info about access to records...
« Reply #2 on: Friday 11 July 08 17:11 BST (UK) »
This subject has been discussed at some length see http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,302020.0.html


Stan
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline *sara*

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Re: conflicting info about access to records...
« Reply #3 on: Friday 11 July 08 21:55 BST (UK) »
thanks, i will have a read through that.

sara