Genealogy Chat

Hi all Can anyone tell me in what year it became compulsory to register births in England? I simply cannot find a John Farr believed to be born around 1860 ish in Middlesex. I have parents names but still he can't be traced. thanks Lynne

I think it was 1875.

In that case I don't think he will be found. What about deaths? What date did it become compulsory to register them in England? Thanks Lynne

Parents names given as Mary Ann Keep and John Farr at the marriage of their son John. They also had a son Thomas. By 1872 John had been sent to Scotland and Thomas had been sent to Canada by Barnardos. I am assuming that both parents died in the 1860s and they were orphaned. They have proved impossible to track down. Any help would be appreciated. Lynne

Thank you so much. I will have a look at the ages he guessed on later census and will let you know if any of the above are possibilities. Thanks again Lynne

Even though it was compulsory after 1875 some did not get registered. They used to charge and some people simply could not afFord it so did not bother to do it at all. My maternal grt grandfather did not have a birth cert. Only the first and last child did and they had ten kids! KIM

Thanks Kim. I am hoping against hope that they managed to register one of the kids otherwise I don't think the parents will ever be found. Liz - Thank you so much for your help. I am sure these people are around somewhere! Just had a look at FreeBMD for the marriage of Charles John Farr to Mary Ann, only to discover that this Mary Ann's maiden name was Munnings. D'oh! I will check over the John Farr's from above and see if any of them are possibilities. Thank you for your time today! Best of luck with your searches Lynne

Have you checked for entries recorded just as 'Male'?? My grandmother was registered as BELL Female in 1889 as her parents hadn't decided on her names (or their order probably). We had been looking for over 10 years and had given up when I got this tip 2 months ago. There she was straight away!! You can specify the mother's name (if known) when ordering the cert. Maz. XX

When registration began in 1837 people had to pay so it's no wonder not all births were registered. Check baptismal records instead. In 1875 people had to pay if they DIDN'T register births, so records then are more complete-ish. Deaths usually were registered from 1837 because bodies couldn't be buried otherwise.

Hey Lynne I have a Mary Ann Keep in my tree!! Was she born in Bedfordshire, 1842, and then moved to London later? Parents Caroline Pateman and Joseph Keep?? Lisa xx