Genealogy Chat

hi everyone does anyone know the answer to my question please was it made compulsory to register a birth after 1837 because i have a rellie who was born in 1839 and i cant find his birth on any bmd any help much appreciated kerry ann

It didn't become compulsory until 1875 and even then some people didn't register births, but there was a fine to pay if you didn't, (although I suppose you had to be found out first). What name and area are you looking for? Kath. x

Fines were brought in for non-registration in about 1875 and before this, it wasn't strictly enforced so it is very possible that your rellie was never registered. Sam x

thankyou sam and kathleen his name was edward rycroft born 1839 bermondsey surrey thanks for your helpmuch appreciated kerry ann

My great-grandfather, his brother and sister were all born between 1866 and 1871 and I haven't found a birth record for any of them, which is frustrating as they show up on censuses etc and I've tracked g-gf to 1931 except he was never born!!!! I just need a certificate for valid confirmation of the parents although I'm pretty sure I've got the right ones!

Are you sure it was Bermondsey. There is this birth:- Edward Rycroft Dec. qtr. 1838, Newington, 4, page 332 That's still in Surrey, and in similar area I think. Kath. x

hi helen it is frustrating isnt it the reason i have in needing a birth cert is to confirm who the father was because when i found this family on the census there was no father to be found so mother was widowed cant find her on other census so persume she remarried so very frustrating indeed kerry ann

hi kathleen i think so i know his sister was but perhaps his was newington thankyou for your help will have to check it out much appreciated kerry ann

If you know his mother's name you could give that as a checking point when ordering the certificate. Kath. x

Does it actually say on the census that the mother was a widow as I have several cases where the father and sometimes older sons worked and stayed elsewhere?

hi helen sorry for not replying had to go off for a bit children to see to for lunch and chores to be done!!no on the census 1841 it dosnt say she was a widow but trying to trace after that i cant find her so i persumed she remarried kerry ann

Hi Kerry, the only 2yr old Edward Rycroft I can see on the 1841 census is the one from Newington, what's the mother's name if this isn't the right Edward?

hi helen the mothers name was susan born 1811 in ireland that was the right edward rycroft you found thanks kerry ann