Using the Checking Option When Ordering GRO Certificates

[Alan Welsford]

Another fairly basic question.

So far when ordering certificates, I've been fairly confident I've located the right event. I've got lucky, and not had a "duffer" yet, (but I haven't bought large numbers).

I'm getting to territory where the chances of picking the wrong one are higher, so am wondering about using the additional check options when I try for a certificate.

However I have heard that sometimes you don't get a certificate that was the right one, because some technicality in the checking procedure said it wasn't a match. (A good example might be something like you specify that the father's name must be Harold, but what's in the register is Harry).

What's people's experience of using the checking option. How flexible are they about issuing a certificate if it's an 'almost but not spot on' match.

Obviously the problem with this type of question is that people can't tell me about times when they should have got the certificate, but wrongly failed the check. Or has anyone ever retried in desperation without the check, and finally got what they were after ?

It seems each "fail" still costs £3, so the saving versus buying the certificate unchecked is £4. Please correct me if that's wrong.

Alan

[Mutley]

It seems each "fail" still costs £3, so the saving versus buying the certificate unchecked is £4. Please correct me if that's wrong.

Alan

That is correct, so to re-order would be another £7.00 plus the £3.00 lost.

I dare not use the checking, mine were such liars that I know I would never get a certificate if I did. I am always receiving what I did not expect..:confused:

However, I suppose if you are absolutely, definitely, 100% sure of your facts....

[suedent]

An alternative is to order from the local Registrars' Office, they won't charge unless they can issue the correct certificate.

[AnnB]

I agree with Sue, any that I have been unsure about I have ordered from the local Registrar and they have always been very helpful.

Best wishes
Ann

[Peter Goodey]

In some circumstances a GRO 3 year check can be the best buy.

[Ed Bradford]

At times I ask myself if it's worth 7 pounds to know one way or the other. I also ask myself how much more time and money I must spend to be reasonably sure about a certificate. I have purchased several certificates that were not my line. However, in each case it was worth knowing for sure.
...............Ed

[Wilkes_ml]

I have only used the checking service once - when I had 3 possible deaths in 3 year period (before ages at death were listed in index). That time I was very confident that his occupation was publican, and used the occupation as a check.

However, usually I don't bother with a check - because I am wary that the correct certificate might not be issued.

As a note of caution, I purchased a birth certificate - which appeared to be correct. It was only a few years later I made contact with a relative who had a different birth date for my ancestor! It seems my one died and a year or so later the couple had another child and gave it the same name! So the second one was actually my ancestor. Whichever entry I had gone for would have came back correct - even with checking against father's name etc.!!