General Chat

Is it just me or has anyone realised when completing this census, you are only asked for your first christian name. in this household we all have a 2nd christian name, yet there was no room to put it. i wonder why?

when researching my family trees, many of my ancestors 2nd names are recorded but today i find it wasnt asked. anyone any ideas or know the answer, just curious.

in 100 years when they reveal all this info, it might seem strange that everyone from this year only had one name?

answers on a postcard please
florence!

hi joan, i would have included my 2nd name but as it is rather long, it wouldnt have fitted into the boxes, same with my children.

i agree, it was rather boring and was glad to get to the end. i am glad i wasnt like my nanna who had 14 children. i would still be here next week filling it in lol.
florence

There's also limited space for surnames!!!
My grand daughter has a double-barreled surname, (father's name, then mother's name) AND uses her stepfather's surname, so she isn't different from her half brothers. Very handy for future genealogists!!!
BUT there's not enough room to fit in the surnames on her birth certificate, let alone the added one!

She's got 3 forenames too - numbers 2 and 3 after her grandmother and gg grandmother, (me and my gran) and a g grandmother(ex's mum|)!!
Even more useful for genealogists!!

Fortunately her first name is unusual.

hi maggie, i dont understand it at all. i have filled out forms for all sorts including tax credits, inland rev etc and there has always been room for additional names.

i mean if the whole idea of a census is so 100 years from now the future generations can learn about us, then let us give as much info as poss, not the other way round.

its bad enough for me when i look something up and the middle name is given as only an initial and we have to guess, so surely in this day and age we have progressed a little, havent we? but then again in a lot of things in modern life , i think we have been stepping back in some things for a while now!!

do you ever think we have come full circle?

florence

thanks ladies for you comments, but off to bed now as its getting late
nite nite
florence

I get the feeling this census is to neatly 'pigeon hole' the population!

Florence

The idea of having a census is nothing to do with future generations, learning about us.

Why do we have a census?

The information collected on the questionnaires is used to help government and local authorities plan the services and resources people need, such as transport, housing, healthcare and education. The amount of money your council has to spend on these important services is based on population statistics from the census. That is why it is so important that everyone takes part


So I don't think they are really bothered about the future

jax

MY OH HAS 4 CHRISTIAN NAMES + SURNAMES

I added my second name (there was room and OH entered his first two names (he has 3).

You are NOT supposed to enter second or subsequent names.

OK so we are not IGP but do you know why they didn't want them?

morning peeps. jax i know the census is to find out about how we live etc and what jobs we do but when we are say looking up 1901 census we are glad when they have all the christian names because like in this household, my husband and son have the same first name but a different 2nd name.
so when letters come adressed to mr A only we never know who its for sometimes until we open them which could be a problem as son gets older.

IGP. can you tell me why we are not allowed to enter all our names.is there a genuine reason behind this please?
florence

ps i used to work in a bank and the only people who were allowed to use green ink were the inspectors!

I would'nt be surprised if they destroy all this data after they have all the info from this one anyway to be honest.

I remember the inspectors green pens too now you mention it

ja...x

All data will be held electronically - paper forms will be pulped.

I don't know the reason that only first names are required, but that was the decision made when the questionaire was designed. The instructions say:-

"Enter your first and last name in the spaces provided. Do not include middle names or maiden names. Use the name you are known by on official documents.

If there is not enough space to enter your name, please enter as much as the space allows.
Write within the boxes and only write one letter in each box. "

Obviously if you enter two names they will be scanned in, but may well come out as one when the details are released in 100 years time.

P.S, as far as my Board Name is concerned, Florence has got it in one. I was once an Inspector with a well known BBank.....!

How we use to dread the inspectors turning up.

I never became a number 1 cashier but used to be a deputy a lot and I remember my manager calling me into his office after the inspectors had been. He told me that the chief inspector had said I was one of the best cashiers he had ever seen.

I have always felt chuffed with that....but it never got me anywhere sadly

jax

My form didn't ask for a christian name.

I would guess that only one forename was required because knowing how many people have how many names makes no difference to planning as laid out above by jax.

I entered my second Christian name as well, I suppose I did it automatically, I did`nt notice it only asked for first Christian name! Doh!

Leni

The census is not and has never been an aid to finding people. It was originally a planning tool - used for schools, hospitals etc. That usage has dwindled over the years as there are now more effective ways of working out how many schools one needs in an area etc.

Old census forms did not ask for middle names either.

And, strictly speaking, they are "forenames" not "Christian" names. If I were Jewish I would feel slightly offended.

Jill

p.s. Not meaning to be stroppy by the way!!

Jill,

Never knew how they worked out size of school as wherever I have lived when a new school was built the first cry went up that they had more pupils than they could cope with and were putting cabins in playgorund!

The form asks for First Name and Last Name, so Jill, no one should be offended.

Statistical info is available from Other sources but the problem is that is is incomplete and inconsistent, and in some cases difficult to obtain in the way that is needed for planning. The idea is that over the next ten years the ONS will look at ways of using this information, filling in the missing bits with the idea that there will be no need for further censuses.