Findmypast.co.uk finds that the 2011 census is a complete confusion
Research conducted by findmypast.co.uk has revealed that many people in the UK are unsure of how to correctly complete their 2011 census forms.
Research conducted the day before Census envelopes started landing on doormats by findmypast.co.uk, a leading UK family history website, asked people in England and Wales their understanding of the legalities behind Census 2011 and found that 51 per cent of people are unaware of how to respond appropriately.*
A confused one in six adults (16%) are completely unaware that everyone is legally required to be included in the Census, instead believing it is optional. Youngsters (18-34 year olds) are the most unaware, with 30 per cent stating that they thought the Census was optional.
Another area causing confusion on completing this year's Census was who should complete the form and how many. The research shows that over a third (35%) believed every household member had to fill in the form, rather than just the head of the household.
The most switched on areas of the UK to the 2011 Census was the South West (56%), followed by the North East and Wales (both 54%). Worryingly, this still leaves nearly half of those in these areas not aware that it is only the head of the house that should fill it in.
Debra Chatfield, Marketing Manager at findmypast.co.uk, said: “As the website that scanned and published online the last publicly available census for England & Wales (the 1911 Census), we at findmypast.co.uk have had much experience with census forms and the different ways people complete them.
"Census records give family historians a fascinating snapshot of how their ancestors lived and the 2011 Census will be no different in revealing our lifestyles to future generations. The rule on who fills in the census hasn’t changed in 17 decades, so it’s surprising that there’s so much confusion, especially as we now have access to so much more information than previous generations. Perhaps it’s symptomatic of our generation for this detail to be lost on us.”
*Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,025 UK adults aged 18+ from 4th to 8th March 2011. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
A confused one in six adults (16%) are completely unaware that everyone is legally required to be included in the Census, instead believing it is optional. Youngsters (18-34 year olds) are the most unaware, with 30 per cent stating that they thought the Census was optional.
Another area causing confusion on completing this year's Census was who should complete the form and how many. The research shows that over a third (35%) believed every household member had to fill in the form, rather than just the head of the household.
The most switched on areas of the UK to the 2011 Census was the South West (56%), followed by the North East and Wales (both 54%). Worryingly, this still leaves nearly half of those in these areas not aware that it is only the head of the house that should fill it in.
Debra Chatfield, Marketing Manager at findmypast.co.uk, said: “As the website that scanned and published online the last publicly available census for England & Wales (the 1911 Census), we at findmypast.co.uk have had much experience with census forms and the different ways people complete them.
"Census records give family historians a fascinating snapshot of how their ancestors lived and the 2011 Census will be no different in revealing our lifestyles to future generations. The rule on who fills in the census hasn’t changed in 17 decades, so it’s surprising that there’s so much confusion, especially as we now have access to so much more information than previous generations. Perhaps it’s symptomatic of our generation for this detail to be lost on us.”
*Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,025 UK adults aged 18+ from 4th to 8th March 2011. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
