Genealogy Chat

It may be of interest to some people that in the case of Roman Catholic ancestors the baptism certificate is as good a record as the real Birth cert, and in many cases it is the "only" cert as many folk couldn't read or write in the 19th century. A small group of people have started on an incredible indexing journey and they are creating indices to all Roman Catholic Marriages on Merseyside in whichever parish, and they will be interlinked eventually. This will be of particular interest to those seeking Irish roots as the main concentration is on that particular community. It may be possible in future also to provide indices to Baptism registers also, but if you need something in the Merseyside Sefton Area then there may be people who will look it up for you. The only condition is that you make a donation to the Overseas Charity CAFOD. As a guide may I suggest the following website, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb/~hibernia These are the true Liverpool people. John

I would have reported her, that's just downright rude.

I rang Leeds today for a certificate -they no longer will do it over the phone but assured me that if I send a sae they will send me the certificate by return.She did however, while I was on the phone, look on her computer to see if they had a Ripon marriage there and gave me Harrogates address and phnone number where I eventually found the certificate. Hull are brilliant - all over the phone and so helpful. So much quicker than waiting as long as 3 weeks sometimes from the GRO. St Caths are the worst -never seem to be able to find certificates and never have the decency to let you know! Keep away from them. Far too expensive for nooooo service. Jackie

I'd just like to put a good word in for Calderdale RO. I always send a sae with my order and they send the cert, hand written, by return of post. Also last time I ordered 2 marriage certs and enclosed in the envelope with the 2 certs was a picture (photocopy) of the church where the marriages took place, as it would have appeared at the time of the marriages. Thought that was such a nice touch! Rachel.

I mist stick up for Guisborough,Darlington,Northallerton Registry office and Harrogate --no problems. I have sent letter with the details and SAE and a cheque and had them returned within two days Ann

I think I will go to the ro for the area I want in future. Always get extremely good service from Cambridge. Certificates are with me in 48 hours all handwritten out. This one I got today was the worst one I've had. It would probably be ok if the handwriting was better, but a combination of a feint scan and bad handwriting doesn't help.

Just thought that I would praise and mention County Durham Register Office service. This is searchable online and you can order certificates online for £7.28 (including postage) and the certificates come within, at the most, 48 hours. Just shows the difference in levels of service between different parts of the country. Good one County Durham.

Eeeh gads, it is beyond belief that a Register Officer refuse to issue copy certificates for family history purposes. What are they there for. They get paid for this service. Need to find name of local Councillor and make strenuous complaint regarding this "lack" of service. Takes my breath away.

I used to go direct to the Reg Office for Certs - but check by phone first as some local offices no longer supply Certs for Family History, Southwark was one, they said they were receiving too many enquiries and did not have the staff to cope. Sue

I had a marriage certificate not long ago which was almost illegible. They said to mark it urgent when I returned it, and I received a hand written one very quickly afterwards.

conversely, I've had no problems at all with the GRO (apart from one missing order, that I had to chase). The certificates have always been legible, and have always arrived in approx a week when ordered online (which is what they suggest is expected). Saying that, I'm waiting for some at the moment, and I'm NOT very patient... lol

I have found getting certificates from 'local' Registry offices far more efficient than from the GRO. By sending a stamped addressed envelope, with the details I have found, they are usually sent by return post (2 days) and written very clearly. Also, when they can't find the certificate, they do not bother to cash the cheques. I have used the GRO when the local offices have not found what I was looking for and found the quality really poor, although readable. They also take soooo long when you are impatient to progress with your tree. Nesta

I've just waited 2 weeks for a marriage certificate from Southport. The scan isn't very good and I can't make out the marriage date and other necessary information. I have e mailed them asking for a transcription. They've just replied telling me to return it to them and they will send a hand written one if it can't be scanned any better. How much longer is that going to take. Do they actually check them before posting. If they do why send them out like that.