I wonder if anyone knows where I can find out if public record offices have to follow strict guidelines, when it comes to allowing access to public records, and what our rights are. I know certain medical & criminal have 100 & 30 year closure periods, but something serious has happened to a friend of mine today at the Gwent record office

I also want to find out if the public are allowed to transcribe records held at county record offices and publish them on the internet.

My friend David Woolven was denied access to removal order records dating from the 1820's because we are publishing the transcriptions on the internet. I will be visiting the Gwent record office on Friday to photograph some more church records, and I feel I may get the same wrath.

Mike

This might help explain the Govt. position on copyright and records.

You may need a lawyer to give an opinion , however it does look as if a waiver exists to allow transcription and publication, with acknowledgement of where the original record is held etc.

Unpublished public records and those open for public inspection are reproducible freely under waiver of copyright. This guidance explains how this works in practice.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/advice/crown-copyright/copyright-guidance/copyright-in-public-re...

Thanks Slowhands

I knew this was the case, so needed to hear it confirmed, but unfortunately the Gwent county archivist is unaware.

Not to worry he is the one digging the hole.

Mike