Common Surnames

[Londonwhay]

As if Cole and Allen weren't enough - I must have the worst of common surnames, (along with thousands of others,) SMITH!!! I have managed to trace a marriage certificate of Thomas John Smith. He was age 19 and got married on September 30th 1888 in Shadwell Middlesex. His father was Joseph Miller Smith. Trouble is that hundreds of Thomas Smiths could have been born and registered in the correct time frame. Any ideas how I narrow this search down?

Glenda

[Geoffers]

As if Cole and Allen weren't enough - I must have the worst of common surnames, (along with thousands of others,) SMITH!!! I have managed to trace a marriage certificate of Thomas John Smith. He was age 19 and got married on September 30th 1888 in Shadwell Middlesex. His father was Joseph Miller Smith. Trouble is that hundreds of Thomas Smiths could have been born and registered in the correct time frame. Any ideas how I narrow this search down?
Glenda
What was Joseph's occupation, Glenda? Maybe he would turn up on the 1881 census return? Have you been able to pinpoint Thomas in the 1901 census, so that you have his place of birth? Also, if the age is consistent in 1901, this may give you more hope in narrowing down the period of time you need to search in the GRO index. At least Thomas has a second forename, thus narrowing down the number of possibles to less than a cricket score.

I'd be inclined to work with census returns first off in the hope that some siblings may turn up with unusual combinations of forenames - and that they had their births registered.

Thomas should appear in 1871 and 1881, with luck he may have been at home with family then - with Joseph's occupation, this should (hopefully) help to narrow down possible matches. I'm happy to browse my copy of the census CD-rom if it helps?

Notice that I use the conditional 'may' and 'hopefully' !

Geoffers

[Zoe Archer]

Aah Glenda, I can certainly commiserate. Between my family and my husband's we have no less than 5 seperate lines of SMITHs. :eek:

You will be grateful that they were kind enough to add middle names, as Geoffers stated this makes the search a little easier.

If you can narrow down an area you will find that it isn't quite as awkward as it appears. With the new indexing on 1837.com you should quickly be able to narrow down your Thomas John Smith and when ordering the certificate(s) you can specify the father's name but be wary of giving too much info since the GRO are sticklers for making sure the info matches exactly!!

So welcome to the 'club', and when you find the right Smith you'll find the excitement is a little more heightened than usual! :)

Good luck
Zoe Archer

[Londonwhay]

What was Joseph's occupation, Glenda? Maybe he would turn up on the 1881 census return? Have you been able to pinpoint Thomas in the 1901 census, so that you have his place of birth? Also, if the age is consistent in 1901, this may give you more hope in narrowing down the period of time you need to search in the GRO index. At least Thomas has a second forename, thus narrowing down the number of possibles to less than a cricket score.

I'd be inclined to work with census returns first off in the hope that some siblings may turn up with unusual combinations of forenames - and that they had their births registered.

Thomas should appear in 1871 and 1881, with luck he may have been at home with family then - with Joseph's occupation, this should (hopefully) help to narrow down possible matches. I'm happy to browse my copy of the census CD-rom if it helps?

Notice that I use the conditional 'may' and 'hopefully' !

Geoffers
Thanks for the reply Geoffers. Joseph was a rope maker - which I also think was as common an occupation as his name is. :) Thomas, when he got married was a mercantile clerk. As I am still fairly new to FH I am still building up my census CD's. And I want to make fairly sure of the names I want to check in the 1901 before I buy more credits from them. If you have any relevant census CD's you could look up for me I would be greatful (sp?) If it helps any both Thomas and his wife, Mary Saunders, (yet another common name, :rolleyes: ) lived at 11 Mercer Street, I assume in the parish they got married in - Shadwell, Middlesex.

Glenda

[Londonwhay]

Aah Glenda, I can certainly commiserate. Between my family and my husband's we have no less than 5 seperate lines of SMITHs. !:eek:

You will be grateful that they were kind enough to add middle names, as Geoffers stated this makes the search a little easier.

If you can narrow down an area you will find that it isn't quite as awkward as it appears. With the new indexing on 1837.com you should quickly be able to narrow down your Thomas John Smith and when ordering the certificate(s) you can specify the father's name but be wary of giving too much info since the GRO are sticklers for making sure the info matches exactly!!

So welcome to the 'club', and when you find the right Smith you'll find the excitement is a little more heightened than usual! :)

Good luck
Zoe Archer
Thanks Zoe, at least I know I am not alone ;) . I haven't been on 1837 for a while, I had spent quite a few credits looking for other common names and was daunted by how many pages of Smiths I might find. It is certainly a challenge and if how I felt when I managed to track down the marriage certificate is anything to go by, you are right about the excitement.:D

Glenda

[Geoffers]

Joseph was a rope maker....Thomas, when he got married was a mercantile clerk..........lived at 11 Mercer Street, I assume in the parish they got married in - Shadwell, Middlesex.
Glenda
I've searched the 1881 census for London - Middlesex. If Thomas was 19 in 1888 he was born around 1869, so his father is likely to have been born prior to 1852. Searching this census for Joseph Smiths produces 255 who fall into that category, none of whom were ropemakers.

Three nearest misses are:

Joseph SMITH, 35yrs, dock labourer, bn Mile End - he's shown with wife and several children, none of whom match Thomas

Joseph SMITH, 47, Able Seaman (Merchant), bn London Middlesex - living in Poplar with wife, Ellen and a daugher Ellen.

Joseph M SMITH, 50, Carpenter, bn Burford - living in Islington with family, no Thomas

So, the possibility is that maybe Joseph had popped his clogs at a young age?

That brings the following entry into play:

RG11/0458 f121 p23

12 Lower Well Alley, St George In East, London, Middx

Jane SMITH, hd, widow, 33, machinist, bn Shadwell
Thomas J. SMITH, 11, scholar, bn St Georges East, Middx
Francis THOMPSON, brother + boarder, unm, 40, Slipper Binder (boot), bn St Georges East, Middlesex
George THOMPSON, brother & boarder, mar, 36, wharf labourer, bn St Georges East, Middlesex
Thomas has the right middle initial, the mother comes from Shadwell - you've even got her maiden name thrown in! I wouldn't suggest that this is the correct entry, but it is something to work on and might be worth a search of the GRO index in the hope of finding a marriage that fits, probably between 1866 and 1870

By the way, freebmd comes back with one hit for a birth of a Thomas Smith between 1868 and 1870 in St.George in the East:

June 1870 SMITH, Thomas John, St.Geo East v1c p422

Again, something just to bear in mind and possibly splash out on when you get that lottery win?

I'll put the kettle on and have another think about this one%/0458 f121 p23

12 Lower Well Alley, St George In East, London, Middx

</U>Jane SMITH, hd, widow, 33, machinist, bn Shadwell
Thomas J. SMITH, 11, scholar, bn St Georges East, Middx
Francis THOMPSON, brother + boarder, unm, 40, Slipper Binder (boot), bn St Georges East, Middlesex
George THOMPSON, brother & boarder, mar, 36, wharf labourer, bn St Georges East, Middlesex
Thomas has the right middle initial, the mother comes from Shadwell - you've even got her maiden name thrown in! I wouldn't suggest that this is the correct entry, but it is something to work on and might be worth a search of the GRO index in the hope of finding a marriage that fits, probably between 1866 and 1870

By the way, freebmd comes back with one hit for a birth of a Thomas Smith between 1868 and 1870 in St.George in the East:

June 1870 SMITH, Thomas John, St.Geo East v1c p422

Again, something just to bear in mind and possibly splash out on when you get that lottery win?

I'll put the kettle on and have another think about this one

Geoffers

[Londonwhay]

Geoffers, after all your efforts I made a major c*ck up.:o It's not Joseph Smith, its Charles Smith. You would think that with a name like SMITH I could at least get the first name right.:( I do apologise sincerely.

Glenda

[Geoffers]

Geoffers, after all your efforts I made a major c*ck up.:o It's not Joseph Smith, its Charles Smith. You would think that with a name like SMITH I could at least get the first name right.:( I do apologise sincerely.
Glenda
Still no Thomas Smiths whose father is Charles and the fatehr is a ropermaker or has a connectino with the docks/sea. The following Charles' are on the 1881 census and have a occupation concerned with the docks/sea. None of them are shown with a son called Thomas. There are a couple of Thomases who are 'inmates' of schools so wouldn't show up in a family in the census. Best match remains the entry previously posted

I've just extracted the parts of these entries which mention Charles Smith

<FONT face="Maiandra GD" size=2>RG11/0486 f151 p15
11 Joseph Street, Mile End Old Town
Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 30, sailmaker, bn London

RG11/1337 f113 p43
No 3 Silver Hall Place, London Rd, Isleworth
Charles H. SMITH, head, mar, 34, lighterman, bn Waterfield, Sussex

RG11/0110 f52 p47
3 Johnson Street, Westminster St John Evangelist
Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 35, lighterman, bn Westminster

RG11/0498 f7 p8
64 Rounton Rd, Bromley, London
Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 355, Dock foreman, bn Sudbury, Suffolk




</P>

RG11/0486 f151 p15</P>

11 Joseph Street, Mile End Old Town</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 30, sailmaker, bn London</P>

</P>

RG11/1337 f113 p43</P>

No 3 Silver Hall Place, London Rd, Isleworth</P>

Charles H. SMITH, head, mar, 34, lighterman, bn Waterfield, Sussex</P>

</P>

RG11/0110 f52 p47</P>

3 Johnson Street, Westminster St John Evangelist</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 35, lighterman, bn Westminster</P>

</P>

RG11/0498 f7 p8</P>

64 Rounton Rd, Bromley, London</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 355, Dock foreman, bn Sudbury, Suffolk</P>

</P>

RG11/0469 f92 p6</P>

40 Copenhagen Place, Limehouse, London</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 39, Ship Docker Labourer (Docks), bn Peckham, Surrey</P>

</P>

RG11/0314 f31 p56</P>

2 Percy St, Hackney, London,Middlesex, England</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 40, Stoker seaman (RN) bn Horning, Nfk</P>

</P>

RG11/0513 f69</P>

Vessel: "Millwall", Poplar, London</P>

Charles SMITH, mar, 48, Rigger, bn Liverpool</P>

</P>

RG11/0509 f75 p6</P>

2 Crombie Place, Poplar</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 49, mariner, bn Scotland</P>

</P>

RG11/0337 f96 p1 </P>

RG11/0469 f92 p6</P>

40 Copenhagen Place, Limehouse, London</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 39, Ship Docker Labourer (Docks), bn Peckham, Surrey</P>

</P>

RG11/0314 f31 p56</P>

2 Percy St, Hackney, London,Middlesex, England</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 40, Stoker seaman (RN) bn Horning, Nfk</P>

</P>

RG11/0513 f69</P>

Vessel: "Millwall", Poplar, London</P>

Charles SMITH, mar, 48, Rigger, bn Liverpool</P>

</P>

RG11/0509 f75 p6</P>

2 Crombie Place, Poplar</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 49, mariner, bn Scotland</P>

</P>

RG11/0337 f96 p1</P>

40 Devonshire St, St George Martyr, London</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 52, waterman, bn St Pancras</P>

</P>

RG11/0437 f34 p19</P>

2 West St, Spitalfields, London</P>

Charles SMITH, lodger, widr, 57, Dock labourer, bn Shoreditch</P>

</P>

RG11/0455 f55 p11</P>

5 Blakesley St, St George In East, London</P>

Charles SMITH, hd, mar, 60, seaman, bn Sunderland</P>

</P>

Geoffers</P>

[Londonwhay]

I do appreciate the extra effort I put you to Geoffers, and hey, if you are ever in Suffolk I owe you a drink ( or 2 or 3 ). Meanwhile you have given me some leads to follow. I'll post when I have had any success. :)

Many thanks
Glenda

[Phil]

Hi

I have looked that Thomas Smith on the 1871 Census aged 2 residing in London. Yes, you have guessed quite a few! However only 2 with a father named Charles.

First

RG10/566

13 Gleem Street, Mile End

Charles Smith, Head, 25, Brewers Servant, Middlesex, Mile End
Mary A Smith, Wife, 25, Middlesex, Mile End
Thomas Smith, Son, 2, Middlesex, Mile End
George Smith, Son, 1, Middlesex, Mile End
Thomas James, Lodger, 17, Waiter at Dining Rooms, Middlesex, Mile End
Charles Gardner, Son?, 29, Labourer, Middlesex, Bethnal Green

RG10/154

30 Carburton Street, Marylebone

Charles W Smith, Head, 28, Fitter Carrier, Oxford
Jane Smith, Wife, 22, Essex, Plaistow
Thomas Smith, Son, 2, Middlesex, Marylebone

I hope this is some help. I can let you have jpeg's of the pages if you like.

Regards

Phil

[Geoffers]

A couple more possible leads for you Glenda.

Taking the 1881 census return for the widowed Jane Smith age 33, son aged 11, with her brothers' surname THOMPSON as a start. I had a quick browse of the GRO index of marriages, assuming that she married somewhere in teh east end of London between 1866 and 1870; and there's something rather interesting.......

GRO index of marriages

Sep 1869 SMITH Charles Millan Mile End vol 1c p944
Sep 1869 THOMSON Jane, Mile End vol 1c p944

Now they could come from two different marriages, but taking everything into account, there is now a fair bit of circumstantial evidence to suggest these relate to one entry - even down to your previous posting giving a second name of Miller, Millan isn't much different!

Taking the fact that there wasn't a positive match for Charles in the 1871 census, could he have died by there? Several possible matches, but one stands out as being most likely:

GRO index of deaths

Mar 1871 SMITH, Charles, 25, St.Geo East vol 1c page 354

Which limits the search for Thomas John's birth (age 11 in 1881, possibly no father by 1871, parents married 1869) - only one entry with both forenames in the right area:

GRO index of births

Jun 1870 SMITH, John Thomas, St.Geo East, vol 1c page 422

As before, be warned that these might not be the correct entries

Would y 0px">Taking the fact that there wasn't a positive match for Charles in the 1871 census, could he have died by there? Several possible matches, but one stands out as being most likely:

GRO index of deaths

Mar 1871 SMITH, Charles, 25, St.Geo East vol 1c page 354

Which limits the search for Thomas John's birth (age 11 in 1881, possibly no father by 1871, parents married 1869) - only one entry with both forenames in the right area:

GRO index of births

Jun 1870 SMITH, John Thomas, St.Geo East, vol 1c page 422

As before, be warned that these might not be the correct entries

Would you please keep us posted with how you get on with this one? I'm curious now!

Best wishes

Geoffers

[Phil]

Hi

I can confirm the Jane Smith aged 23 was a widow on the 1871 Census with a son Thomas aged 1.

RG10/534 Page 24

64 Johnson Street, Tower Hamlets

Jane Smith, Head, Wid, 23, Turner, Shadwell
Thomas Smith, Son, 1, Shadwell
Fanny Thompson, Sister, Unm, 38, Book binder, St George E.

I hope this is of further interest.

Phil

[Londonwhay]

Thanks Geoffers and Phil. You've both done a great job on narrowing this one down, I will order what look to be the relevant certificates to see if they fit in. (If they don't I can always offer them on the unwanted certificates forum.)

Phil, I would be grateful for any images you can send to me.

I will keep you both updated on any further progress.

thanks again
Glenda

[jshs]

This is an interesting thread for I have never been able to locate my great-grandfather John Thomas Smith (married Joan M Mead). My grandfather George was born Oct. 13, 1864 and at one time I thought it was in Kilburn but have never been able to tract down with so little information. He was a very taciturn man. I'll follow some of the ideas presented.

Thanks,

John

[Geoffers]

This is an interesting thread for I have never been able to locate my great-grandfather John Thomas Smith (married Joan M Mead). My grandfather George was born Oct. 13, 1864 and at one time I thought it was in Kilburn but have never been able to tract down with so little information. He was a very taciturn man. I'll follow some of the ideas presented.
John
John, in your shoes, first place I'd try is a census - 1881 for preference becausee it's readily available, otherwise 1871 - this should hopefully show your gt-grandparents with ages and places of birth. if you're really lucky, they'll be with a number of children still at home. Using this information you may be able to make an estimate as to when they married.

You can then search the GRO marriage index, try looking under MEAD rather than SMITH. Also search all entries for anyone with Joan and/or a name with 'M'. When you find an entry, corss-refer to the groom's name and see if there is a Thomas John/JohnThomas in the same quarter with teh same district, volume and page number.

What other information have you got? Does George show up in the 1901 census with a birthplace? What source have you got for George's birth?

Geoffers

[jshs]

Geoffers,

Thank you for your kind and helpful reply. I spent some time with the 1881 census putting in every variant of Joan MEAD/Mary MEAD and John SMITH/Thomas Smith and George Smith//13/10/1864. This date came from George’s death certificate and an old Birthday Book of my father’s. I was hoping to see in each case the other two “knowns” appear, but to no avail.

I have a marriage of John Thomas Smith and Mary Mead June 12, 1850, Stepney, Saint Dunstan, London MO55766. But to have this relate to any children (my grandfather, George) is my problem.

The only reference to these great grandparents is my father’s birth certificate in Buenos Aires in 1890. In Spanish his father was Juan Thomas SMITH and his mother Joanna Maria MEAD. I hope I assume correctly that her name would be Joan Mary MEAD.

I mentioned my grandmother’s death in 1897 and I suppose death notices were only put in the newspaper if you were in a certain social standing so it would be difficult to know the month and day.

Thanks,

John

[Annie]

Hi John
I have found a John Thomas Smith on the 1871 census in London, St George in the East, with wife Mary and several children the youngest being George age 7.
If you think this could be your ancestor I'll send you the image

Annie

[jshs]

Annie,

You don't know what this means to me. This sounds like it could be.

Thanks,

John

[Geoffers]

[Thank you for your kind and helpful reply. I spent some time with the 1881 census putting in every variant of Joan MEAD/Mary MEAD and John SMITH/Thomas Smith and George Smith//13/10/1864. This date came from George’s death certificate and an old Birthday Book of my father’s. I was hoping to see in each case the other two "knowns" appear, but to no avail.]

Part 1 of a 2 part reply to avoid duplicate text
With Annie's kind help, you hopefully now have an estimated year and place of birth for George's parents, which may help you to locate either of tehm in the 1881 census - of course, John may have died and his widow may have remarried, which would be problematic.

Does the 1871 census tie in with your idea that George came from Kilburn?

The GRO index of births records the following Smith births in the December Quarter on 1864, one of them may refer to your George:

December 1864

George Smith, Clerkenwell 1b 612
George Smith, Bermondsey 1b 612
George Smith, St.George S 1d 512
George Adolphus Smith, Pancras 1b 127
George Charles Smith, St.Luke 1b 661
George Edward Smith, Clerkenwell 1b 557
George Ernest Smith, Marylebone 1a 405
George James Smith, Newington 1d 223
George Joseph Henry Smith, Kensington 1a 36
George Richard Smith, E.London 1c 27
You may be able to cross some of these out by checking them against the 1881 census, thus narrowing down the list of possibles.

Geoffers

[Geoffers]

Part 2 of 2

[I have a marriage of John Thomas Smith and Mary Mead June 12, 1850, Stepney, Saint Dunstan, London MO55766. But to have this relate to any children (my grandfather, George) is my problem.]
The reference you give would suggest this came off the IGI, now to confirm the detail you need to either check the GRO index of marriages for June and Sept quarters of 1850 to locate a reference so that you can order a certificate - and/or - if the parish registers have been filmed then order the film at a mormon church (LDS) centre. Also hire the baptism registers and see if you can locate any of the children from the 1871 census.

[The only reference to these great grandparents is my father’s birth certificate in Buenos Aires in 1890. In Spanish his father was Juan Thomas SMITH and his mother Joanna Maria MEAD. I hope I assume correctly that her name would be Joan Mary MEAD.]

If they are laid out to record the mother's maiden name, this would seem to be a correct assumption.

[I mentioned my grandmother’s death in 1897 and I suppose death notices were only put in the newspaper if you were in a certain social standing so it would be difficult to know the month and day.]

If she died in England check the GRO deaths index to find the reference to her death, order a copy of the certificate and this will give you her age, cause of death and residence, also name and address of person present at death, who may be a relative.

Geoffers
Charlbury, Oxfordshire

[jshs]

Geoffers,

Thank you for the long post. I'll overwhelmed by the help Annie and you are willing to give. In the past 20 years of sporadic searching I've never had responses like this.

When I'm able in the next few days I'll get to work on your suggestions.

Thanks again,

John

[Geoffers]

Geoffers,
Thank you for the long post. I'll overwhelmed by the help Annie and you are willing to give. In the past 20 years of spasmodic searching I've never had responses like this.
No problem, there are lots of people who are only too happy to try and give a helping hand. The problem is knowing at what level to pitch the advice, so if you're not sure how to go about any of the suggestions - or if it's all as clear as mud, just ask and I'm sure you'll get the advice you need to get you going.

Geoffers

[jshs]

No problem, there are lots of people who are only too happy to try and give a helping hand. The problem is knowing at what level to pitch the advice, so if you're not sure how to go about any of the suggestions - or if it's all as clear as mud, just ask and I'm sure you'll get the advice you need to get you going.

Geoffers

Geoffers,

I’ve now received from Annie what must be my great grandfather’s family in the 1871 Hackney census. The only sibling I’ve ever heard mentioned was by an uncle who as a young boy in Toronto once asked who the brief-time visitor was and was told William, your father’s brother, which gives me another confirmation.

10 Homer Road
John Thomas SMITH 49 St. George’s East
Mary 42 Essex Leyton
Arthur J. 19 St. George’s East
Harry 15 St. George’s East
William 13 Hackney
Mary J 10 Hackney
George 7 Hackney

It’s interesting that in tracing it in the 1881 census the father, John Thomas SMITH, must have died (yet I have his inscription in a book to his son, George dated 1878). Although the 1881 census finds two of the children at home, William and Mary J SMITH with the right ages and birthplaces, mother, Mary has shaved 3 years off her age and is head of the house. [Is this age adjustment common?] Her birthplace in Leytonstone is correct. My grandfather, George, age 17 seems to have left home or he could be visiting elsewhere. [I know he attended Cliff College and then Harley College graduating Mar. 18, 1888]

The father John Thomas SMITH was born in St. George’s East. Is this a borough or ward in London? How do I get to the GRO index of marriages and deaths so I can order certificates?

John

[Geoffers]

Part 1 of a 2 part reply to avoid duplicated text.....

[I’ve now received from Annie what must be my great grandfather’s family in the 1871 Hackney census.]

Excellent - it all adds to the overal picture and gets you a step further in your research

[Although the 1881 census finds two of the children at home, William and Mary J SMITH with the right ages and birthplaces, mother, Mary has shaved 3 years off her age and is head of the house. [Is this age adjustment common?]

Ages are variable in census returns, however, assuming that you've looked at the 1881 transcript, bear in mind that some numbers can be hard to distinguish, e.g. '8' can look like '6' and vice versa. So the 'original' census may show her as 58 rather than 56 - or possibly the enumerator had the same rpoblem reading the schedule and made a similar mistake in copying it into the census book. Errors can occur and small differences in age are nothing to worry about.


Geoffers
Charlbury, Oxfordshire

[Geoffers]

Part 2 of a 2 part reply........

[The father John Thomas SMITH was born in St. George’s East. Is this a borough or ward in London? How do I get to the GRO index of marriages and deaths so I can order certificates?]

St.George in the East was the name of a registration district in London. I don't know London well and may be wrong, but believe it is/was also the name of a parish.

You can search the GRO index in a couple of convenient ways:

Freebmd wesbite - plus side, it's free. Minus side, it is not complete and is slow - but still a useful resource
http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/search.pl

The complete GRO index is available on a pay-per-view site 1837 online
Some dislike this because they say it is expensive, a personal view is that this isn't a free hobby and the charges seem reasonable to me. It would cost me to travel to a record centre where I could view the fiches copy of the GRO indices and would also take time. With this site, you can sit at home in comfort, with a cuppa; and can also save the images on your computer, to review at a later date (just in case you missed owt the first time around).

Also, as mentioned, the GRO indeces have been copied onto fiches and may be available ata a mormon church (LDS) centre or some other large Library specializing in history.

If you find a reference in a GRO index, you need to note it down exactly as shown plus also note down the Quarter and Year. You may then apply for a copy online via the GRO website:
http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

Geoffers
Charlbury, Oxfordshire

[LynA]

The complete GRO index is available on a pay-per-view site, 1837 online.
Some dislike this because they say it is expensive, a personal view is that this isn't a free hobby and the charges seem reasonable to me. It would cost me to travel to a record centre where I could view the fiches copy of the GRO indices and would also take time. With this site, you can sit at home in comfort, with a cuppa; and can also save the images on your computer, to review at a later date (just in case you missed owt the first time around).
Can I second Geoffers views on this site. I was one of those who thought it would be expensive, but I gave it a try. I have still not used up all the units I purchased. I have ordered over a dozen certificates from the GRO that I have wanted for a long time. I only need an odd few minutes here and there at the computer - they soon add up - rather than a trip up the motorway (plus difficult parking) to the nearest source of GRO microfiche. I'm definitely a convert.
Lynda

[Guy Etchells]

I take the opposite view and think the 1837 online site can work out very expensive to use, I spent quite a bit looking for a marriage of a quite uncommon surname one evening.
That does not mean I disapprove of the site, it can be very useful to have such a facility 24 hours a day 7 days a week but it must be used wisely.
There are cheaper options available to many.
Cheers
Guy

[jshs]

Annie,

How right you are! I mentioned the marriage of John Thomas Smith and Mary Mead June 12, 1850, Stepney, Saint Dunstan, London.

You replied, (I re-checked my info and then checked the IGI and I think in your excitement you wrote the date wrong, it's the 12 Jan 1850 so that works for the GRO info I gave.) In my computer I had Jan. 12 but in jotting it down quickly I wrote “Jan.” poorly and used that as my reference.

In what way would the birth certificate of the oldest son, Albert J., be more valid than of the youngest, George (my grandfather) for noting the mother was Mary Mead from Leyton. Especially as I know the month and day of George’s birth and I’d have a certificate that would have long term meaning to me?

Thanks for your patience,

John

[Annie]

Annie,

In what way would the birth certificate of the oldest son, Albert J., be more valid than of the youngest, George (my grandfather) for noting the mother was Mary Mead from Leyton. Especially as I know the month and day of George’s birth and I’d have a certificate that would have long term meaning to me?

John

I don't think it matters which birth certificate you get but I'm the belt and braces type, you know that your George should have parents John Thomas and Mary Mead, on the 1871 census there are older siblings you weren't aware of if Albert J Smith's parents aren't John Thomas and Mary Mead then this is the wrong family. So far I haven't come across any Joan Mary Smiths.

Annie