FamilySearch website - Personal information removal

[Ruskie]

In my opinion, it is absurd that FamilySearch would alter a dataset on a whim, such that a public record effectively becomes a private record. If you feel your privacy has been invaded, you should campaign to have the dataset removed entirely, rather than disrupting the integrity of the dataset by the removal of select records.

Some people may not wish their information to be removed so I don't believe it is my right to expect the whole dataset to be removed. I don't see how removing one relatively recent birth, for example, from thousands would ever disrupt the integrity of a dataset. 

[andycand]

Hi

The GRO Index is a publicly available index and is on multiple websites as well as Familysearch.org. and is also available on fiche in many libraries across the world (I'm not sure what date the fiche go up to) Given that England & Wales birth certificates are not considered as ID and anyone can purchase a copy it is perfectly reasonable for the Indexes to be online. In fact I think there was some talk a few years ago that the GRO were going to put them online themselves but the project was abandoned.

Personally I don't see the Index as an issue although I don't believe anyone else should be able to get a copy of my birth certificate itself.

Andy

[cazza59]

It's crazy isn't it.  Anyone can get my birth certificate which is one of the most personal pieces of paper you will ever own, yet I can't get information about a relative that died in 1929 due to the 100 year rule.  Information I might add, that could in no way be used for criminal activity.   

Caz

[cazza59]

In Australia, you have to produce 100 points of identification where a birth certificate is valued at 70 points. 

Caz

[StevieSteve]

Surely the whole point of the index is to provide a means to access the record?

It's a bit inconsistent to approve of one but not the other

[Erato]

"Anyone can get my birth certificate ..."

But not from FamilySearch; it doesn't deal in birth certificates.

[cazza59]

True and I did stray from the topic. 

Of course, as I mentioned, the issue of BC goes away if they were no longer considered a valid form of identification.

Caz

[Ruskie]

It's crazy isn't it.  Anyone can get my birth certificate which is one of the most personal pieces of paper you will ever own, yet I can't get information about a relative that died in 1929 due to the 100 year rule.  Information I might add, that could in no way be used for criminal activity.   

Caz

I agree. It doesn't seem logical.

[Ruskie]

"Anyone can get my birth certificate ..."

But not from FamilySearch; it doesn't deal in birth certificates.

FamilySearch provides the information necessary to purchase certificates such as reference numbers, districts etc.