Jacqui Simkins wrote: > An article in a recent "Ancestors" magazine suggests the DoVE > project is a year behind schedule. This puts launch at least a > year AFTER the FRC closure... The same article inferred that ONS > has problems with its vastly expensive computer system for > registrations. When will they ever learn by previous mistakes? Or > listen to what FHSs have told them? > > ONS has a lucrative income from selling copy certificates at £7 > each (much more per cert than in Scotland - where they do not seem > blighted by so many delays and computer system cock-ups!). > Colindale does not have access to this level of income; so yes, I > can see only a very small portion of their holdings being filmed > and made available...unless American big business moves in there, > too. It's a pity the law in England and Wales doesn't allow for the certs to be put online like they've been able to do for the Scottish ones. I'm sure they'd derive a far greater income if they did follow suit. The original plan (IIRC) was for the DoVE project to come on line this year. By now we all should have been making good use of the new indices. Last I heard was that they won't be partially available until the latter half of 2009, so well after the release of the 1911 census. No, I doubt they will learn. It's a great shame when American business steps in but it's not really all that surprising. Much as I'd prefer our records to be available on British sites, it's better that they are at least made available for so many to access (even if I can't). -- Charani (UK) OPC for Walton, SOM