where do you prefer to get your cert.

[jeffrey.bean]

I read some where, its better to get your certificate's from the local registrars office as opposed to the GRO. I've obtained about 5 BMD's from the GRO and have been pleased with them. Is there a differance, do you get more info from the local office.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Clive Blackaby]

The speed of the service from GRO has improved a great deal lately, from 3 weeks to often coming back by return post.

The certificates are reasonable quality, and they will replace them if you get a bad 'un.

Local offices often send a handwritten certificate rather than a copy of the original, so you cannot be sure if there are any errors. But they give a more interested personal service - e.g. a note "did you know that the registar in this district was a Mr H. Blackaby?", or a phone call to say "Did you know that her husband died 2 weeks later? His name was not right in the register, but it is definitely him"

[David Wilkins]

Merry Christmas Jeff,

I get mine from the GRO as I don't really have an alternative. I also have been impressed with their service. Usually 8-10 days and I have them here in Auckland NZ

Regards

David Wilkins

Auckland NZ

[Elley]

Hi Jeff,
I have purchased many certificates all from the GRO. When I started this hobby years ago I was able to see the same marriage certificate obtained from the GRO and one from the local Kent office. I thought a copy of the original against the hand written local register office copy was far better.
Just my opinion of course.

Happy Christmas,

Elley

[jeffrey.bean]

Thanks all for your replys. I'll keep ordering from the GRO. I thought I may have been missing out on something.

[LynA]

Thanks all for your replys. I'll keep ordering from the GRO. I thought I may have been missing out on something.
As I understand it the GRO register is a copy of the local Registrar's original register. i.e. the Registrar's copy may be more accurate. I have bought the same certificate from both sources and found differences.
Lynda

[Mark]

GRO "certificates" tend to be photo-reproductions of the entry on the page of the Register. Local office ones tend to be handwritten transcriptions.

I personally prefer a copy of the near-contemporaneous version (GRO) than a modern transcription. I'm using "near-comtemporaneous" here to mean within 3 months or so, rather than 150 years for a modern handwritten transcription.

But as has been mentioned, sometimes the more informal style of the local office helps when you can't find the GRO index entry for someone.

Mark

[Wirral]

I usually get my certificate through the GRO. However, If you can get someone to take a copy of the original church register then this is the best of all. This will have the actual signatures of the participants, not a transcription done by a clerk at the time or a transcription done by a present-day clerk.
I tell a fib, the best is if you can handle the actual register. Most church records that you can access nowadays are on microfilm. There is nothing like touching the actual register that your grandparents signed. I have had that priviledge & it sends goosebumps down your spine!

[jeffrey.bean]

So all the BMD certificates I received from the GRO where written by a clerk at the time of the event?

[Guy Etchells]

So all the BMD certificates I received from the GRO where written by a clerk at the time of the event?

No, very few of the certificates obtained from the GRO will be contempory to the event.
The GRO certificates are copies of transcripts of the registers made up to three months after the event.
The original registers are kept by -
A) the local registrar (if the register is still in use)
B) the Superintendent Registrar (all filled registers)
C) The Church or Diocese Archives (if a marriage register for a church wedding)
Cheers
Guy

[jeffrey.bean]

Thank you all for clearing that up for me.

[davec]

With reference to the differences between the GRO and the local offices, does anyone know exactly haw the data was transferred.
I have been looking for an unusual name, Saycell, in Manchester.
In the censuses it is quite often written wrong, particularly as Cecil.
It is also transcribed wrong, on modern sites, sometimes as Laycell.
I can understand this.
However, I have come across an instance of the LancashireBMD record as Saycell and the GRO image showing Cecil, which would suggest it had been dictated.
I have also seen the LancashireBMD as Saycell and the GRO as Laycell, which would suggest it had been copied wrong.

Also, can there be a delay between the two? I have what looks to be a birth in 1847 in the LancashireBMD. which appears as Jan-Mar 1848 on the GRO.
I have searched both carefully to find a matching pair but with no luck.
I might have to shell out £14 to be sure they are the same person, but it would still be nice to know how this might happen.

Cheers,
Dave

[uksearch]

I would go with the information on lancsbmd take a look at the following
link.

http://www.lancashirebmd.org.uk/differences.html

Inevitably there are going to be some errors this site, but a good deal fewer than on the GRO index.

UK

PS If the information is incorrect in the first place, then transcription errors can't account for that.

[waspexile]

I usually get my certificate through the GRO. However, If you can get someone to take a copy of the original church register then this is the best of all. This will have the actual signatures of the participants, not a transcription done by a clerk at the time or a transcription done by a present-day clerk.
I tell a fib, the best is if you can handle the actual register. Most church records that you can access nowadays are on microfilm. There is nothing like touching the actual register that your grandparents signed. I have had that priviledge & it sends goosebumps down your spine!

Agreed!
The other thing I have found is when looking through the microfilm (or whatever) I have found a neighbour (from the census) or a close relation getting married on the same day on a few occasions, all around the 1830s-70s

I presume they did this to save money, make more of a day of it, or to make the most of a few jars afterwards!

You wouldnt necessarily realise this by ordering from GRO and it doesnt really help you go back any further but its very interesting to discover the links to different families on the census.
David

[Annie]

Also, can there be a delay between the two? I have what looks to be a birth in 1847 in the LancashireBMD. which appears as Jan-Mar 1848 on the GRO.
I have searched both carefully to find a matching pair but with no luck.
I might have to shell out £14 to be sure they are the same person, but it would still be nice to know how this might happen.

Cheers,
Dave

A birth in Dec 1847 might not be registered until January 1848. If you are sure of the father's name then a phone call to the Registrar's Office might save you a few pound