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I'm looking for a reference for the birth of John Smith 1853 in Rotherfield Sussex. (parents John and Ellen) On FreeBMD, it appears as ref 2b 98 for two quarters! June and September 1853. Is there anywhere I can check which one's correct please?

I suspect it is just coincidence that two births for a child with the same name appear on the same page in different quarters. The chances are that page numbers for any given name will be about the same in different qtrs, as they are listed alphabetically, and start from '1' at the beginning of each new qtr You could apply for both, quoting the forenames of the parents as checking points.........you would receive the correct cert, plus a refund of part of your payment for the incorrect one. However, as registration wasn't compulsory until 1875, it may be that neither of the records refer to your relation. Reg

Lizzie, on the 1861 census the only John Smith, born 1853, Rotherfield has parents John & Frances. I can't see one at all with parents John & Ellen. Margaret

Thank you for that Reg; I suspected as much. This is what happens when most of your relatives have such a common name!!

Glad I'm not the only one having them, Lizzie. Margaret

Sorry Margaret, I meant John and Frances. I was having a senior moment!