Genealogy Chat

I have found that if I order the certificate from the LOCAL Register Office by sending an email where possible, and I give qualifying information such as "his father was James Bloggs", they usually reply that either they have it, in which case I know Im right and pay on line, or else they say that certificate does not match the information given - no charge! Also, Local Ros in my experience are MUCH quicker than the GRO at sending out certs.

You don't mention where the family lived. I know that there were a lot of BOOTHs in the north. A lot of the northern Local Register Offices have their own searchable BMD sites which (if you're lucky) will throw up the info you need along with the reference (not same as GRO) to order from the local RO. Prices the same. Delivery at least as quick. The local RO info is the source-data for GRO. The search results can be more informative than GRO search of index - e.g. specifying which church/register office was place for a wedding - and you can search for weddings using the pair of names. http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/ has a list of Local BMD sites (amongst lots of other useful and well-organised links): if yours isn't in the first lot, scroll down past Yorks and see if it's in the different-format ones. Christine

Hi Lou, Thanks for that, its a good idea. Regards, Claire

Hi Claire You could give the GRO the parents name you HOPE to find on the cert. If they don't match, they don't send you the cert but they only charge you about £3 for looking, rather than paying £7 for a certificate that may not belong to your tree. Lou xx

Hi John, thanks for that. I know they were illiterate but didnt realise they would put down a wrong surname for the family. At least i suppose it was her maiden name rather than just any surname the census taker wrote down. Could i assume now then that this is my family or should i order the birth cert for the Beatrice Eastwood to see what parents it gives? Regards, Claire

Hi Claire you have to think like 100 yrs ago,remember some people were illiterate,others made it up to suit & the census taker wrote down what he thought he heard,that's why it is confusing.

im not sure if this has happend to anyone else but is it know to have the wifes maiden name given as the family surname at all on a census? Im trying to find my William and Sarah E A Eastwood on the 1891 census, Sarah's maiden name is Booth. All i can find is a Harry and Sarah E A Booth on this census. From the 1901 census the ages of this Harry and Sarah would be right for them. On the 1891 there is a Beatrice Booth who isnt on the 1901. I have found a death for a Beatrice Eastwood aged 5 in 1895 which would tally. Also, one of William and Sarah's children, Harriet, on her marriage cert has her fathers name as Harry! Im thinking this Harry and Sarah are my William and Sarah but dont want to jump to conclusions. Can anyone give any guidance? Sorry this has gone on a little. Regards, Claire