Geoff Stone wrote: >>My understanding is that the images of registers have been digitised, but the preparation of the indexes was the stumbling block.<< Yes the images were digitised by the GRO and sent out to India to be indexed by Seimens under contract. >>So all the registers are to be digitised and a completely new index produced. Certificates will then be fairly automatically produced from the image rather than by photopying the registers.<< The GRO produced the digitised images from the microfilms of registers which they have now been using for many years to produce the certificates, except in the odd case where the quality of the film image is too poor to be used (and some of us would query that statement too!). So the only "new" thing was the indexing, which was designed to speed up the process of identifying the correct register entry. Quite a large part of this was completed before Siemens' contract expired, and so perhaps the GRO are already making use of it, which is why we are no longer going to receive a discount for supplying the GRO reference when we order certificates? >>They are at the 'Pre-procurement' stage (if I have the terminology correct). I.e. preparing for tenders to complete the project. When these will be initiated and when the real work will recommence, is probably some way off given the bankrupt state of the public purse.<< You can read the up-to-date position here: http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1090.htm Polly Regards, Geoff At 09:00 01/03/2010, Chirani wrote: >Whilst at the WDYTYA Live fair at the weekend, I took the opportunity >of asking representatives of the GRO when/whether/if there was any >movement on getting the post 2006 indices online yet. > >The gentleman I spoke to, Peter, said the intention was still to put >the indices online and free of charge *but* it isn't going to happen >in the forseeable future. They are a little further forward than they >were when I spoke to them last year but they are still talking. > >In all fairness, it is a big project even though these indices are >already digitised. It's also a costly exercise so they do need to >ensure they get the right people to do the job: a firm who really >understands the extent of the interest in family history and genealogy >so there isn't a repeat of the fiasco of the 1901 census. > >Not the news we all wanted to hear, especially those overseas, but >better they get it right first time. One Name Study of WEDMORE worldwide and linked interests in BRISON, DUCK, POLE, TOLSON and One Name Study of PUCKLE, SCARNELL and SCUFFHAM in the UK. http://www.wedmore.org.uk ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_DISTRICT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message