Genealogy Chat

Thanks Kay and JMW for explaining why there's a number there and what it's for - I though it might be something like that, but didn't want to make any assumptions. The certificate I have was issued last year, and contains a reproduction of the register entry rather than a transcription - so that explains why the original correction and number are still visible.

Glen - thanks for the background information. It explains why the wording would have been changed from the standard "by me" to "before me". Also, it's useful to know where events prior to 1837 might have been registered in the case of non-conformists.

Bill

This is called a numbered error and it is an error made by the Registrar and corrected before the Register was signed as a completed entry.
The number 17 simply means that the Registrar had made 16 errors in that Register before this error.
The number of errors have to be listed in the front of the Register so that 'duplicate numbers' are not used.
Nothing sinister or whatever, it simply means the Registrar 'forgot' which church he was registering the marriage in.
Numbered errors are not supposed to be reproduced on certificates, but will be if the source of the certificate photocopies or scans the original entry.

It is probably because the marriage took place in the Methodist Chapel. I had a google and found this;

In 1753 Hardwicke's Marriage Act forced all non-conformists (except Quakers and Jews) to marry in Anglican Parish churches. When registration was introduced in 1837 a marriage could take place in a non-conformist church if the registrar was present. After 1898 Methodist ministers could be authorised to carry out marriages. This meant that until 1837 Methodist marriages were usually recorded in Anglican Church registers. Until 1898 the Registrars copy of a marriage certificate is probably the only one available. After that date Methodist marriage registers usually begin. Methodist marriage registers are closed to public access for 30 years

Glen

There is a numbered section that is used by a Register office if a mistake has been made by them on a recording of events,,,,,

,,,,,,,I have one where 68 and signed by the Registrar in the margin has been used,because they put Widow of the deceased ,who wasnt,, and is crossed though ,,,,,,,,,,,so it shows why the certificate was amended with the correct information .

It seems a numbered code which they use for different mistakes that have been recorded,as I rang to ask,,,,!


As its usual practice only one certificate can issued at the time of the recording of either birth.death/marriage,,,,

Hi,

I have an 1858 Marriage Certificate which has part of the entry crossed out, a number '17' added above this and 'Seventeen' in the margin with the registrar's initials.

Specifically, the certificate reads:
Married in the "Nelson Street Chapel" according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the "Primitive Methodists before" by me, "John Routledge, Registrar"

Where the handwritten parts are enclosed in quotes.

After the crossing out, it reads:
Married in the "Nelson Street Chapel before" me, "John Routledge, Registrar"

with '17' above the crossed-out "Primitive Methodists"

I'm looking for any information regarding what the '17' might mean.


Apologies to those kind enough to reply to my original post - I tried to edit it but must have hit 'Delete' by mistake.

Thanks,
Bill