Unfortunately, having a grandfather born in the UK does not qualify. If it did, I would be signing. I will, however, support you in spirit. Some of you who search in the USA, may not know that EACH STATE has jurisdiction over these matters and all of the vital records laws are not the same--although similar--from state to state. In the last several years, cracks have been appearing in the solidarity of the states in this matter. One state in particular, Missouri, has put a great many early vital records online as a special state project. I have a friend who was a part of this fascinating project. If you need to search in Missouri, you can find indexes for and actual images of BMD records online free of charge. I have found this to be an invaluable aid in assembling information about my husband's early family lines. These records and images are also printable. Other states will quite possibly follow in some form in the near future. Perhaps Missouri can help pave the way for UK registration districts to see the light! Good luck, Carolyn in still snowy Minnesota USA > If you were born in the UK then you are a citizen of the UK no matter where you live. Therefore you can sign the petition. HM Government is at present preaching to the G8 countries to open current data to the public. It therefore stands they should lead the way by opening data between 100 and 177 years old with no qualms whatsoever. I would suggest you sign, if born in the UK, but that is your choice to make. Cheers Guy