Genealogy Chat

Hi everyone, Please forgive me if this is a stupid question, but: I have been looking into my family tree for a month or so using online web sites. I have found quite a bit and in most cases, I am 99% sure I have correct details. However, to ensure I have it all correct I would like to get hold of BMD certificates from the family records centre / local office. The problem is that my family tree is quite large and if I ordered a Birth, marriage and death certificate for each person it could become very expensive. Is it possible to get hold of these for free? My local office would be Sunderland. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Matt

Nope you have to pay I,m afraid even from local Register Offices ,and somre of them wont even supply cos they say are too busy

Oh, if only that were so...unfortunately, the only way to get your hands on one is to cough up the dosh (£7 each from the GRO). Yes, it is a costly hobby - and I would hate to think how much I have spent over the years - thousands, without a doubt. But I have no other vices - don't smoke, drink or gamble - so BMD certs are my only downfall LOL

Oh Matthew, that would be lovely wouldn't it! I'd love to know how much money these places make after overheads, as with the recent interest everyone has in tracing this stuff - they must be laughing all the way to the bank! :0)) To be fair though I'm not critiscing them - I think they offer a great service just an expensive one! Jen x

You might be able to obtain details from parish record entries cheaper than certs,but your local office will only have details for the local area. If you can't access the local office,the staff searching on your behalf will cost more than a cert. Glen

Just had another thought...if you manage to find any other people who connect to your tree who are also researching you can then check what certs they have already ordered and then exchange info. I do this - have about 6 others from one branch who are all researching and we tell each other which ones we are ordering and then pass on the info once it arrives.

Certificates are really useful if you have conflicting info or are just about to enter into a new generation. Before you invest months into a new branch, £7 per certificate could be a life saver! In particular, I've found them to be useful to state maiden names, therefore opening up new branches. What birth certificates don't tell you however, is whether the marriage of the parents was real or a sham!

Matt I understand this could be a costly hobby but it is also a very rewarding one as well. you could try the following which is a certificate exchange site. http://bmd-cert-exch-site(.)ourwardfamily(.)com/ ( remove the brackets) May be of some use to you. Claire

Thanks everyone. I guess I'll have to only order certificates when I am really stuck. I don't mind paying for certificates, but as you have said, the cost could run into thousands. Ho hum... this genealogy lark can be hard work :) Matt

There are a couple of sites - and at least one thread here, on GR - where people put up info from certificates they've bought, and may be willing to sell (or even give) on to a relevant ''home''. Christine

The Northumberland and Durham Family History Society has a collection of unwanted certificates/ copies donated to them. ***These Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates have been donated to the NDFHS by members because the certificates proved to be unrelated to their research. These certificates are housed for convenience in the library at Bolbec Hall and are available to visitors to the library. The Certificate Co-ordinator, Jean McGranaghan, will be delighted to receive any similar 'mistakes' which members might like to donate. She can be contacted at Bolbec Hall.*** Members 'can obtain handwritten transcripts by applying in writing to...quoting their membership number and enclosing either a Stamped Self-addressed Envelope and 2 first class stamps (if in the United Kingdom) or a Self-addressed Envelope and 2 IRCs (if Overseas).' http://www(.)ndfhs(.)fsnet(.)co(.)uk (remove brackets) Jan