This is the standard wording that archivists are using regarding their public records: > Under the Data Protection Act 1998, and the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, archives must implement certain rules regarding access. Basically, records going back 100 years from the present are restricted access, closed to users except persons named in the records, who have a right to see their own record, and their own record ONLY. It seems that the 100 year rule is generally being applied to ALL public records, though I found that I could access police records of more recent date PROVIDED the volume did not include living (or assumed living policemen). BUT I had to ask for this under the Freedom of Information Act provisions; if you don't mention that, the usual response is "sorry these records are closed for 100 years". The Census is, of course, regarded as different...... Gordon.

Only for the purpose of adding to the interest, the Data Protection Act 1998 requires the permission of all living persons before being shared. Janet ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon Johnson" <gordon@kinhelp.co.uk> | This is the standard wording that archivists are using regarding their | public records: | > Under the Data Protection Act 1998, and the Freedom of | Information (Scotland) Act 2002, archives must implement | certain rules regarding access. Basically, records going | back 100 years from the present are restricted access, | closed to users except persons named in the records, who | have a right to see their own record, and their own record | ONLY. | It seems that the 100 year rule is generally being applied to ALL public | records, though I found that I could access police records of more | recent date PROVIDED the volume did not include living (or assumed | living policemen). BUT I had to ask for this under the Freedom of | Information Act provisions; if you don't mention that, the usual | response is "sorry these records are closed for 100 years". | The Census is, of course, regarded as different...... | Gordon.

Janet wrote: > Only for the purpose of adding to the interest, the Data Protection Act 1998 requires the permission of all living persons before being shared. > > Janet > > > Only if the shared information is data. Data has a very narrow specific meaning when applied by the Data Protection Act. Section 1/1 * “data” means information which— (a) is being processed by means of equipment operating automatically in response to instructions given for that purpose, (b) is recorded with the intention that it should be processed by means of such equipment, (c) is recorded as part of a relevant filing system or with the intention that it should form part of a relevant filing system, or (d) does not fall within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) but forms part of an accessible record as defined by section 68; Section 68 Meaning of “accessible record” (1) In this Act “accessible record” means— (a) a health record as defined by subsection (2), (b) an educational record as defined by Schedule 11, or (c) an accessible public record as defined by Schedule 12. (2) In subsection (1)(a) “health record” means any record which— (a) consists of information relating to the physical or mental health or condition of an individual, and (b) has been made by or on behalf of a health professional in connection with the care of that individual. Cheers Guy --