5th November 2003
CIGO – Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of CIGO took place today. The usual reports by the Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Executive Liaison Officers were given. (That of the Executive Liaison Officers can be read here). The new chairman was installed, Des Clarke, who represents Raheny Heritage Society. Des led the thanks given to the outgoing chairman, Robert Davison, who represented North of Ireland Family History Society. Linda Clayton, representing the Certificate Genealogists’ Alumni Group, was elected Hon. Secretary for the year. The remaining officers were re-elected unopposed for the coming year, John Dyer, Hon. Treasurer, and Rob Davison and Steven Smyrl as the two Executive Liaison Officers.

The meeting was followed by the Annual Lecture, given by Raymond Refausse, archivist & librarian at the Representative Church Body Library. While his talk, ‘Archivists & Genealogists: Some Reflections’ had serious content, nevertheless what he had to say was at times so amusing that it was relief when it ended and we were finally able to catch our breath!

27th October 2003
GRONI – Consultation

CIGO has made a submission in response to a Consultation Document issued by the General Register Office of Northern Ireland which seeks views about the modernisation of the registration system in Northern Ireland. In its submission (which can be read here) CIGO has highlighted its fears that access to civil registration records in Northern Ireland, which are public records, is about to be curtailed under the guise of protecting privacy. CIGO refutes this spurious argument and asserts that it will ultimately lead to an inequitable system of two-tier access, with business interests prevailing of those of the general public.

23rd October 2003
GRO England & Wales – Consultation

CIGO has made a submission in response to a Consultation Document issued by the General Register Office of England & Wales which seeks views about the modernisation of the registration system there. In its submission CIGO has highlighted its fears that access to civil registration records in England & Wales (where so many Irish people have settled over the years) is set to be restricted by the imposition of levels of access to records compiled less than one hundred years ago. CIGO submitted evidence that would suggest that the proposed ‘definition of family’ rules – in relation to access – are unworkable. The submission can be read here.