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Can anyone tell me please why when I have found a Ref. no. for my Ancestor's Marriage and ordered the certificate GRO have just contacted me to say the Reference cannot be found ? Thanks Lulli x

Was the marriage reg'n found on the GRO index? Or on one of the county bmd's? The counties use registration details which differ from the GRO ones............ Reg

Hi Reg, I found Ref. for both parties on Ancestry, Lulli

Have you filled in extra details (like middle names or names of fathers) which might not fit with what's on the certificate. Are you sure you filled in the correct year (it's easy to make a mistake when typing)? Did you keep a copy of the order you placed? Kath. x

Hi Kathleen , Yes I entered the correct Ref. and date of Marriage I didn't think I needed to enter details of other relations if I had the reference no. as I have only ever entered the full name of the person concerned and Ref. no. on all others I have bought. Would it be a problem because it was in 1847 ?.....Lulli x

No, you don't need any other information.....I just thought you might have added other information as a checking point and this didn't match up. If the GRO references are on Ancestry, I would give the GRO a ring and tell them what has happened and ask them to check again. If they DO find the certificate they should only charge you £7 in total - you shouldn't have to pay the £3 checking charge. Would you like to put the reference details on here so someone else can check the image? Kath. x

When GRO replied they said the were refunding £4.00 , I sent them an Email but they have replied saying I can reorder if I have the correct index. I will do as you suggest Kath and give them a ring tomorrow, thanks for your time, Lulli x

Was it a handwritten register or a typed one? Maybe it was mis-typed! If written, was it clear? Is it also on FreeBMD? Do the refs match?

Hello Janice , it was typed, thanks..Lulli x KATHLEEN .... ABRAHAM PARSONS Married 1st. 1/4 1847....Reading Sorry.. should have said ref.is 6 287

March qtr. 1847, Reading, VI, 287 Is this the reference you used? Kath. x

Kath , Yes I also crossed referenced with the Bride just to make sure it was the right man Lulli x

In that case, if you get nowhere with the GRO, you should may be contact Reading. Kath. x

Thanks again Kath, will do, I really would like this cert. Regards Lulli x

Am I right in thinking that you put the date of marriage on your request and not just the year and quarter? If the marriage date was not what you thought then they certainly wouldn't issue a cert even if everything else was correct.

Hello Andrea thanks for your reply, I entered only the year and Qtr. as I am not sure of full date. These are the only details I have entered on most of cert. I have bought. Regards Lulli x

Hi I looked at Abraham's marriage on Findmypast and I think the reference should be 6 289. I checked on FreBMD and they give both Marriages Mar 1847 PARSONS Abraham Reading 6 287 Parsons Abraham Reading 6 289 * This record* was transcribed by: Name: wendy fellows Records: 846 Who did he marry? From Val

Husband ABRAHAM PARSONS Pedigree Birth: Christening: Marriage: 28 MAR 1847 Saint Giles, Reading, Berkshire, England Death: Burial: Father: JAMES PARSONS Family Mother: Wife SARAH PARSONS Pedigree Birth: Christening: Marriage: 28 MAR 1847 Saint Giles, Reading, Berkshire, England Death: Burial: Father: JOHN BUNCE Marriages Sep 1839 BUNCE Sarah Reading 6 316 Parsons William Reading 6 316 Who's William? Val

Hi Val , have replied to you by pm but on reading this message and in answer to your question re William ......have no idea at present , suspect another mystery to unravel !. There are several Williams in this tree. Many thanks Lulli x