Census 2006 - Australia .....

[Kathy]

I have just received the census form for 2006 for Australia, to be completed on 8th August.

There are 59 questions to be answered, the 60th question is "Does each person in this household agree to his/her name and address and other information on this form being kept by the National Archives of Australia and then made publicly available after 99 years?"

I would ask, what does it matter after 99 years who views the information? and if the box is marked "no, does not agree" will this mean that future researchers will be totally denied access?

The other change in this census, not available to my knowledge on previous census, it can be completed online. My intention is to do the census online, plus fill in the census form to keep with my genealogy records.

Kathy

[Pandabean]

So in a 100 years time will all 59 questions be made available to the public? Seems like our descendants will have some fun.

[ninatoo]

I read somewhere that those who do not wish for the information to be made public in 99 years will have their information collated, then shredded. I am not sure where I read this, but it was being discussed on a message board earlier this year. I am also not sure how factual it is....

Nina

[ninatoo]

You can find out all about the census by googling census 2006 Australia. I got this from their site:

"HOW DOES THE ABS ENSURE MY PRIVACY?

The ABS has an excellent record of maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the information provided to it over 100 years of operations. All Census forms (including names and addresses) are pulped and recycled under strict supervision following processing.

ABS will only pass personally identified information to the National Archives of Australia for secure storage for 99 years for those people who have expressly consented for ABS to do so as part of the Census Time Capsule."

And

"2006 Census: Time Capsule

The Census Time Capsule gives Australians the chance to have their name-identified information retained securely by the National Archives of Australia for 99 years.

This question was asked for the first time in 2001. Over 52 per cent of Australians gave consent to have their name-identified information made Private and Confidential for 99 years and then released in 2100.

In 2006, Australians are again being asked if they would like to have their information retained and kept confidential for 99 years, then released in 2105 for research purposes.

If you answer ‘Yes, agrees’ in this question and sign the form, your name-identified Census information will be preserved on microfilm and held securely by the National Archives of Australia until 2105.

If you mark ‘No, does not agree’, or leave this question blank, or do not sign the form, your name and address information will be destroyed once statistical processing of the forms has been completed.

People who may be interested in accessing this kind of information in the distant future include genealogists, historians, academics, social analysts, journalists, and family members in the twenty-second century."


Oh for goodness sake! I pity future Aussie Genealogists!

Nina

[Dennis]

Hi:)

Somehow, I may be wrong, I think that same question was being asked on Canadian Census forms:)

dennis

[sheilajim]

Hi All

I think that the people who say that they want the information destroyed are probably more fearful of the info becoming public in their lifetime. Maybe they should keep the info on the ones who don't answer. It is really a shame that so much info will be destroyed.
On the bright side for future Genealogists is the fact that there is so much information from other souces these days.

Regards

Sheila

[ninatoo]

I have just realised that I wasn't in Australia for the 2001 census. I returned in the September. My X and I had been overseas for 18 months by that time.

I am having a bit of a giggle and also some sympathy thinking of my future family genealogists wondering why the HECK they can't find us on the 2001...and then waiting for the 2006 to become available to see if we are on that. I hope they can access immigration records effectively by then, and the countries we went to may have better record keeping processes in 100 years, but they were certainly very poor when we were there. Then in 2006 they will find my kids and I, but no husband and will have to try to find him in another city, (very common name) with a new wife from another country...I can hear them wondering "How did he meet HER?" "Is this the right person?" "Is that name a msitranscription?"

And even before this, we moved around a lot...How many of us have thought about our own immediate histories and how it will be searched in the future? I know in my own case, my family has not made it easy!

I might have to write some family notes about my OWN experiences so it makes it easier for them...providing someone doesn't throw them out in fifty years

Nina

[paddyscar]

Hi:)

Somehow, I may be wrong, I think that same question was being asked on Canadian Census forms:)

dennis

That's correct Dennis! How sad for future generations! There's a great fear of big brother out there ... what will it matter in 99 years to anyone but aren't we glad the previous generations didn't think this way?

Frances

[Kymbo]

He Everyone,

Just received my census forms yesterday & asked about completing info online. I was given a sealed envelope which contains a password.

To complete online you MUST have one of these passwords, then when the list is printed for the households the collectors need to visit, mine will not be on there as they would already have the info.

Therefore I can file my hardcopy with my personal papers for future historians, it will probably end up in landfill though, no one showing any interest in genealogy so far


Kym

[Kathy]

Hi Kym,

I also have a password for completing the 2006 census online, but now I am reconsidering my intention, on the radio today, they were saying there is a new computer bug which can target this information, and could be used for identity fraud.

Kathy