A Petition calling on the Irish Government to release the 1926 Census has received more than 5,350 signatures as of this morning. Launched in December by the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO) in December (see
blogpost), it broke through the 5,000 milestone at the weekend.
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| Sample of 1926 Census: click to view larger image |
The 1926 census returns are currently stored in the National Archives in Dublin, but will require cataloguing and conservation work before they can be digitised in preparation for making them available online. Given that this work will take time,
CIGO is calling on the Government to commit to releasing the 1926 census in 2022 as part of the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the State. This could be done by supporting the recently published Seanad ‘1926 Census’ private members bill, with any lingering questions about confidentiality being easily addressed by redaction.
Speaking at the launch of the petition, CIGO Chairman Colm Cochrane said: “We hope with the launch of an online petition calling for the release of the 1926 Census that genealogists and historians will rally to the call; that they will not only support it, but share it, too, on social media, and lobby politicians.”
It seems they have been doing exactly that, but if YOU haven't yet done your bit, you know what to do! You can
sign the Petition here.
UPDATE, Noon 16 March: And today, it's the 6,000 signatures milestone that's been passed. Keep going everyone. Sign and share!
