Genealogy Chat

Applying to the local Registrar is definitely cheaper,but some registrars are not very helpful,especially if the records been moved around over the years. I applied to the Mansfield one who returned my cheque saying to try Chesterfield, who in turn returned my cheque saying try Mansfield, so I sent to GRO in Southport and got it no problem. Having said this, I have before this incident, had no problems with these two registrars, maybe I am requesting older certificates and this is where the confusion is. I now use local registrars until I come up with a problem,then make a note to use the GRO. June, Preston.Lan,

I have bought all my certificates so far from the local register offices. I have found them all to be very helpful, quicker, and cheaper at £7 each. If you only have a little information, they will usually still look it up for you. Just a note, one register office told me that the GRO reference numbers are no good to them! They are only used by the GRO.

Don't forget that many counties are now putting their local BMD online. Cheshire were first I think but several have followed them. All are linked from UKBMD Martin

Angela, you will find the address for freebmd on the links page of this site. Susan

Hi Can I just say that despite Andrea saying FreeBMD are going no further than 1906 there are records on the site for 1909. George

I have heard about freeBMD and would like to see it what is the web address thanks

The problem with marriages is that the original indexes are alphabetical and therefore show the bride and groom separately. Therefore if the page containing the husband has been transcribed but the wife's has not then only his name will appear on the freebmd results.

Re marriages. If you find one partner on BMD then click on the page number and that will give you the other 'married' persons on that page. Careful though as not all are transcribed that you may find 1 woman married to 2 or 3 men. It is a good guide though. John

Could someone tell me if the indexes at FreeBMD & 1837online contain entries for BOTH groom & bride for a marriage or just for one of them? I wondered whether to search for both of them as confirmation.

I am a transcriber for FreeBMD and they are only transcribing files for 1837 -1906. Not all of these files are complete, and some years have more files completed than others. I can only assume about the districts saying to 1932 etc, that that is what the district was known as up until that time. We are definitely NOT transcribing files for later than 1906. Sorry.

Another thing about Free BMD is that it is definitely not a complete transcription of the indexes from 1837 - and if anyone tells you otherwise they are telling porkies. The ONLY web site that will show you the complete BMD indexes (from 1837 almost to the present day) is Family Research Link, for which you have to pay. So if you want the GRO reference for a certificate then my suggestion is first to try Free BMD - if that fails then go to Family Research Link, because they WILL have it - no question at all about that. Graham

Many thanks Andrea - I'm off to phone the registrars!

Yep - i've just been back for a looksee and it does say in the sroll down box; for example, Arlesford (to Sept 1932) can we assume that records are done up to that date?

Elizabeth - thats what i thought too. Praps i'll go back and have another look.

Regarding the dates being transcribed by FreeBMD, I thought some areas covered a good amount of 1900s. I think some areas show dates into 1960s or 1970s according to the list of towns to scroll down. I may be wrong! Elisabeth

FreeBMD are only transcribing 1837 - 1905 /1906, so there is no point looking for the births you mentioned - sorry. As for the certificates being cheaper, I think you are right (although I will no doubt be corrected if we are wrong!!) I have got my certificates from the local Registrar for the event and the only information I have given them is what I have found on FreeBMD e.g - Quarter: December 1901, the names of the people, the district (10a for example) and the page number. I have received all certificates without a problem and it has cost me 7.00GBP each time. Hope this helps.

Q.1 - Did i understand that it is quicker and cheaper to order birth and death certs from the original registration district rather than the GRO. and that i dont need the GRO ref. Q.2.On the graphs at the beginning it only shows BMD's transcribed up to 1903 Is it worth me looking for a b. in 1953 and a death in 1963.