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Birth registrations - date of compulsory registrat

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Elaine

Elaine Report 21 May 2006 07:37

Can someone tell me when it was compulsory to register births. Thanks

Guinevere

Guinevere Report 21 May 2006 07:51

from 1874 Gwynne

Researching:
Lowestoft and North Suffolk, Monmouthshire, Breconshire, Somerset

Elaine

Elaine Report 21 May 2006 07:56

Thanks Gwynne - I knew it was mid to late 1800´s but couldn´t find the exact date.

BobClayton

BobClayton Report 21 May 2006 09:52

There was a 'duty' to do so from 1837 ' And be it enacted, That the Father or Mother of any Child born, or the Occupier of every House or Tenement in England in which any Birth or Death shall happen, after the said First day of March, may, within Forty-two Days next after the Day of such Birth or within Five Days after the Day of such Death respectively, give Notice of such Birth or Death to the Registrar of the District ' But no penalties ! ( till 1875 ) Bob

Researching:
Clayton

Merry

Merry Report 21 May 2006 09:53

And just because something becomes compulsory, doesn't mean everyone does it!! Merry

Elaine

Elaine Report 21 May 2006 10:02

Merry - quite aware of that. I remember our first holiday abroad - we all need passports - my mother applies for a copy of her birth certificate - finds out her birth in 1914 was never registered. Church records no longer existed - luckily there was one elderly aunt still alive who signed a document to confirm she was present at my mother´s birth. My father tried to get her to lie about her age so she would get her pension earlier but she would have none of it!!!