Employment records (FOI211000)

This Freedom of Information request asks for details of employment records from the late 1890s to early 1900s

Request for information - Ref no: FOI211000

October 6, 2021

Information request

Thank you for your email of 3 April 2021, requesting information from Ordnance Survey in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000, as set out in the extract below:

“I am researching my family history and would like to know if you maintain details on people employed in the late 1890s & early 1900s as on the 1901 census my grandfather is recorded as "Blacksmiths assistant - Ordnance Survey Office" and was living in Southampton. Also he played cricket professionally for Hampshire in 1898 & 1899 and from various cricketing records he also played for Ordnance Survey. So wondered if you still had records of your cricket club?”

Our response

I confirm that Ordnance Survey does not hold the information you have requested.

However, under the duty to provide information and assistance in accordance with section 16 of FOIA, you may wish to contact the following who may be able to assist you:-

Charles Close Society, which brings together people with an interest in maps and in the history or Ordnance Survey;
The National Archives; and
Ordnance Survey retired and ex staff Facebook Group.

Please note, I am unable to confirm whether the above will be able to help you with the information you have requested.

Next steps

Internal review

Your enquiry has been processed according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. If you are unhappy with our response, you may request an internal review with our Internal Review Officer by contacting them, within two months of receipt of our final response to your Freedom of Information (FOI) request, as follows:

Internal Review Officer
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Adanac Drive
Southampton
SO16 0AS

Please include the reference number above. You may request an internal review where you believe Ordnance Survey has:

Failed to respond to your request within the time limits (normally 20 working days)
Failed to tell you whether or not we hold the information
Failed to provide the information you have requested
Failed to explain the reasons for refusing a request
Failed to correctly apply an exemption or exception

The Internal Review Officer will not have been involved in the original decision. They will conduct an independent internal review and will inform you of the outcome of the review normally within 20 working days, but exceptionally within 40 working days, in line with the Information Commissioner’s guidance.

The Internal Review Officer will either: uphold the original decision, provide an additional explanation of the exemption/s applied or release further information, if it is considered appropriate to do so.

Appeal to Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

If, following the outcome of the internal review you remain unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal, within three months of receiving our response, with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You should make complaints to the ICO within six weeks of receiving the outcome of an internal review.

Visit the ICO website to report a concern.

Call the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.

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