Genealogy Chat

There are no images for registrations after 1983! From 1/1/1984, the GRO went fully computerised, and stopped publishing the quarterly typed lists. Registrations from that date onwards are also monthly rather than quarterly. The Ancestry 1984-2002 death index is a copy of the GRO database, so is as accurate as the original. From 1969 onwards, the age at death was no longer recorded - instead, the date of birth is entered. The 'age at death'' therefore shown on Ancestry is simply the difference between the year/month of registration of the death and the date of birth given in the index. If it was a late registration (as could be the case if there was an inquest following an accident), then the age at death will be out. Richard

Hi Helen I alway view the original GRO image before ordering a certificate, even when I already have the ref. There are just too many transcription errors online. Kate :)

I just read a thread that's reminded me. Please be warned that this is not always accurate. I was searching for a local chap that tragically died as a teenager (he was the local heart-throb!) On Ancestry, his death is registered as Feb 1990. Aged 19. His date of birth is correct and the year (1971) I know for a fact though he died in Feb 1989, mainly due to it being my friend's 14th birthday. He was 17 and would have been 18 2wks after his death. It actually happens to be the anniversary of his death today (well yesterday now!) and I remembered his father had put a memorial notice in the local paper this week. I quickly hunted for it and it confirmed it was 1989. I don't trust Ancestry now! Regards Helen

On Ancestry (see below)