1971 Census

[Vasquez109]

Well before my time, but I was wondering how many of you remember this when it was on TV?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MqyeEYTRLvk

[genjen]

One of the things I feel guilty about is that I am fairly sure I didn't fill in a form for the 1971 census. As a young person, living the care-free student life, I don't think I thought it important and if someone came knocking at my door, I was probably in the pub!

To add to the complication, I wasn't even living where anyone would expect to find me, not even in England - I was in Edinburgh.

How are future family historians ever going to find me? 

[Vasquez109]

Makes me think that all these legions of government officials came round to every house/hotel/prison in the country.

What happened if someone was not at home?

[kooky]

When I worked on the census in1981 and 1991, if someone was not in you had to call back in the daytime and in the evening.
I don't remember exactly but I think a note could be left saying when you were to call back.
I'm sure Stan will know about this more accurately!
Kooky

[stanmapstone]

I don't know about 1971, but it was deduced that in the 1981 census 0.5 per cent of households were missed, rising to 2.75 per cent in inner London.
It was also an offence to refuse to complete a census form.

Stan

[genjen]

It was also an offence to refuse to complete a census form.

Stan

Oh no - does that make me a criminal?? I am very contrite, repentant, sorry...

[Laurina]

How are future family historians ever going to find me? 

 

Well Jen, I guess you'll be donating your lifetimes work on your tree to someone - my kids will probably put mine in the skip!

Laurina

[stanmapstone]

From "The Times" Dec 07, 1971; pg. 9; Issue 58344; col E
"Sir Keith Joseph, Secretary of State............in a written reply, stated: Census forms are still coming in but it is likely  that of the 18 million people on whom the obligation rested, the number reported to the Registrar General who finally refused  to complete an acceptable form will be of the order of 3,000.
Some 532 summonses have been applied for and up to last Friday 366 cases had been heard (not counting cases withdrawn on completion of a form). In all cases so far notified to the Registrar General, the defendant has been found guilty.
Some 500 cases have been dropped on compassionate grounds or in other mitigating circumstances" 

Stan

[genjen]

How are future family historians ever going to find me?

Well Jen, I guess you'll be donating your lifetimes work on your tree to someone - my kids will probably put mine in the skip!

Laurina

If mine do that, I'll come back and haunt them..