FFHS-NEWS Edited Electoral Register Consultation (ref: CP 46/09)

[News from the Federation of Family History Societies]

Edited Electoral Register Consultation (ref: CP 46/09)

 

The Government is considering a recommendation to scrap the Edited Electoral
Register and before announcing its decision it is carrying out a
consultation exercise.  The Federation has put forward the following
argument in favour of retaining the register.

 

"This response to the consultation is being made on behalf of the trustees
and members of The Federation of Family History Societies.  The Federation
represents nearly all the Family History Societies in England and Wales.
The combined membership of these societies is in the region of 80,000.  One
of the key aims of our societies is to ensure the preservation of records
relevant to family history, and to ensure that access to these records is
maintained.

 

"As well as tracing ancestors, many family historians are keen to discover
living relatives.  This is where the Edited Electoral Register (EER) is of
value.  This is a unique resource as it allows searches by name without
having to know an address.  This is a distinct advantage over directories,
which also have the disadvantage of listing only the head of household
whereas the EER will give all adult members.

 

"On behalf of all family historians we urge you to retain the EER in its
present form.  There is no objection to giving greater prominence to the
right to opt out of this, nor to clarifying the uses to which the EER may be
put.  This would enable voters to make a more informed choice regarding
opting out.

 

"We see a similarity between the EER and the telephone directory from which
it is also possible to opt out.  Nobody has suggested that the latter should
be scrapped."

 

Roger Lewry

(FFHS Archives Liaison)

exec.member.rl at ffhs.org.uk

9 March 2010

 

The Federation of Family History Societies is a Company Limited by Guarantee

Company Number 2930189 (England & Wales) - Registered Charity Number 1038721

Registered Office: Artillery House, 15 Byrom Street, Manchester, England M3
4PF

 

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