Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 14:56:08 +0100 From: "Geoff Riggs, FFHS Webmaster" <[email protected]> Subject: MLFHS: FFHS-NEWS 1901 Census - Petition On 15th April, the PRO produced their customary fortnightly update to their "state of progress" announcement on the enhancements with its wording unchanged: "The testing of the technical enhancements listed below is continuing. We apologise that the testing is taking much longer than anticipated but it is vital that we have a reliable service for users." The Federation still believes that the most effective way of expressing one's discontent about the current sorry state of affairs, both collectively as a society and individually as a researcher, is to write a letter to one's MP(s). We have provided a suggested draft which you may wish to use as its basis on our web-site, which you can view on the "Latest News on 1901 Census" pages linked to directly from our home page at www.ffhs.org.uk However, 10 Downing Street now accepts electronic petitions (you can find e-petitions with more than 300 genuine signatures listed at www.number-10.gov.uk). As a result, a web site has been set up by a member of the Hampshire Genealogical Society with a petition about the 1901 census. If you go to www.activeservice.co.uk/petition, you will see that the petition sets out in a brief statement its exact purpose and what people are indicating their agreement to by signing. Whilst one could argue that the wording of the petition could be made more comprehensive, there is space for each signatory to add his or her own individual comments (up to 255 characters). Each signature must be accompanied by a full name and a verifiable postal address, but these details are not viewable thereafter on the website and will be known only to the webmaster concerned and the UK Government at the time of submission If the number of signatures are significant, the petition may also attract the attention of the media, which could be useful in reflecting the opinions and views of individual genealogists around the world. So far, some 1,200 signatures have been added to this petition. To achieve sufficient impact, the existence of the petition will need to be extensively publicised and, if you believe this is worthwhile, you may wish to do so as well as adding your own signature. Please note though that e-mail chain letters and mass e-mail campaigns will not comply with the rules for electronic petitions to 10 Downing Street. The closing date for accepting signatories to the petition is 30th April. # News from the Federation of Family History Societies # To leave the list send to [email protected] # with the message body unsubscribe ffhs-news ------------------------------