Genealogy Chat

Hi Glen, I would use local register offices but all the ones I need only give handwritten certs.........I check you A-Z guide first!!!!!! Deb

You are right Glen, however a lot of us on here, myself included, are through circumstances internet based researchers. I have two young pre school children, with no one local to look after them for me, and do not have a car available to me in the day. My nearest record office is Reading which is 15 miles away. I come from Sussex and was able to get over to Lewes record office for the first time recently, when my husband looked after the children whilst we stayed with my Mum. I have so much to look up there, but it will just have to wait until some point in the future when I'll be able to get there more often. I think most people are aware that they can obtain certificates this way, but find GRO internet service more convenient and are willing to put up with the delays.

That is strange Linda, The GRO are more likely to have entries missing just because they had to copy everything several times to create an alphabetical index. I have a couple of things that never made the GRO but local office have found very easily. Glen

I do try to use my locals ones if possible, but several times they can't find any record of the birth/marriage so have had to resort to the GRO :(

Feels like a little club for the elite doesn't it? It just shows though,that there is something to learn from the show IF you look hard enough. Glen

I'm with you on this one Glen, I always think it's preferable to use the local offices. But I think people go with what they're used to and comfortable with using. If only they'd give the local offices a try - they'd soon realise they get a much better service. The local offices are more willing to do a flexible search than the GRO are for a start AND they'll return your money if it's not the right match. Shouldn't be promoting the local ones really - think of how busy they'll become!!

With the new series due soon the panic about GRO waiting times will come up again,BUT Think about it,how many certs used in the show come from the GRO?Don't they always have a scene where the local office hands the cert to the celebrity? I wonder why GR members think that the GRO is the ONLY place to get certs when local offices are quicker and give a better service. Glen

See below