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From:
Subject: [EoLFHS] White Paper: 'Civil Registration: Vital Change'
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 18:41:50 EST


There has been much discussion recently on various mailing lists concerning
the White Paper on Civil Registration.

I have been asked by Geoff Westcott to post the following message to the list:
*******************************

Hello,

I would like to advise you of a new web site
(http://www.montypython.cwc.net/) I have just created which discusses the
new government White Paper titled "Civil Registration: Vital Change, Birth,
Marriage and Death Registration in the 21st Century".

Following discussion on several genealogy mailing lists there seems to be a
dearth of information on the changes planned to Civil Registration as they
will affect Family Historians/genealogists. Very little exists in the way
of web pages/information and there is much confusion surrounding just what
the proposals will mean to genealogists and, as importantly, what they will
*not* mean. I volunteered to put together a web site to try and clear up
some of the confusion and act as a focal point for information relating to
the White Paper.

The site tries to record the key points we in the genealogy fraternity are
discussing and to act as a focus for ideas/co-ordinate views. It's *not* a
message board but I would like to encourage people to send me major
issues/concerns/unknowns they want to share with the rest of the fraternity.
With the many 100s of mailing lists and Family History Societies we need
somewhere to put co-ordinated matters that everyone can access - this
doesn't seem to exist at the moment.
(Obviously the FFHS/SOG/GOONS/etc. can't put a page on their sites since
that would be seen as endorsing the views thereon!)

The site comprises six pages:
(i) an introduction to the White Paper proposals
(ii) key points of the White Paper
(iii) a summary of the White Paper listing the differences between "now" and
"future"
(iv) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(v) concerns and issues: areas that are unknown, not clearly defined or
lacking in substance in the current proposals
(vi) links to key web sites

The 'Comments & Issues' page in particular relies on feedback in answering
the points raised and raising new ones. I'll act as filter and summarise the
responses but if people don't give me the info it won't get added and the
page will stagnate.

This site is not sanctioned by any group or organisation, but I hope they
will take part to facilitate the widespread dissemination of information.

What this site isn't; it isn't a place to whinge about the legislation -
that won't get us any where. MPs are only going to be swayed by facts and
reasoned argument not emotional outbursts. As someone else said, can you
imagine the newspaper headlines: "Government attempts to bring in
legislation to protect the elderly and vulnerable blocked by genealogists
objecting to restrictions on their hobby".

I will be grateful if you would consider posting this message on your
mailing list since the site relies on active consideration by as many people
as possible.

The URL of the site is: http://www.montypython.cwc.net/
**************************************

I hope that you all find it interesting and helpful.

Chris
List Administrator

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