GRO queries

[ch0pend0z]

I have a problem with a marriage (don't we all!)... seriously, I have a marriage with 2 separate reference numbers that do not cross reference.
I sent an email to the only address I can find on the GRO site but received in reply, a message suggesting that I check their faqs and advising that the original email would not be responded to. I could of course order both certificates and have to deal with possible errors on the part of the GRO. However, I would like someone to explain the problem to me. Does anyone know an address that I email?

[Kerrywood]

Hi Ch0pend0z, and welcome to Brit-Gen |wave|

To avoid receiving an automated reply from the GRO, you need to enter the letters GQ as the first word of the subject header of your email (General Query).

Otherwise, if you want to post here the details of the problem marriages, members will no doubt do their best to help you sort them out. :smile5:

[Peter Goodey]

If you need help with validating or deciphering a GRO reference, you need to read "Need help deciphering your index reference?" on this page...

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Registeringlifeevents/Familyhistoryandresearch/DG_175464

[ch0pend0z]

Thank you for that - I tried using GQ but recived the following reply:-
'GRO have reviewed the range of services on offer. We have been advised that there is no clear remit in statute for our charging for a service to check index references, or to retain partial fees. In order to ensure full legal compliance, we have regretfully withdrawn our reference checking service from 6 April 2010'.
My only alternatives seem to be to pay them for the information or buy both certificates and hope that they both exist.

[Kerrywood]

I wonder if GRO may have misunderstood your question?

Can you give us the details from the index, with the references, and tell us what the problem is? Maybe someone can then advise you what to do?

[ch0pend0z]

Thi is the message I sent to GRO :-

I am researching a marriage between Henry Daniel POTTER & Selina MERRICK in Birmingham in the June quarter of 1887.

The problem is that there are two separate reference numbers.

6d 78 for him and 6d 116 for her

and they do not cross reference with each other.

I am loathe to order certificates using both reference numbers and perhaps waste everyone's time if the references are in error.

So, what is my course of action?

[Peter Goodey]

1. You don't necessarily need GRO reference numbers to order a certificate.

2. If you are sure, from other data, that the marriage was between those two people, you should order the certificate using only one of the names.

[Kerrywood]

I am researching a marriage between Henry Daniel POTTER & Selina MERRICK in Birmingham in the June quarter of 1887.
The problem is that there are two separate reference numbers.
6d 78 for him and 6d 116 for her
Unfortunately these two people cannot have married each other, because they don't have the same page number in the GRO index.

Sometimes mismatched page numbers can arise from indexing errors, but I don't think that's the case here.

As it happens, the indexing of marriages in FreeBMD for this particular quarter, Jun Qtr 1887, is less than 50% complete. So Henry Daniel POTTER and Selina MERRICK must have married other people, and the names of their respective spouses have not yet been indexed.

As Peter says, if you're sure that one of these people is yours, you can order the marriage certificate with just one name only, and see who turns up as the spouse.

But if it's simply that you've found a couple in the census and are having trouble finding their marriage, you could try posting the census details here, and perhaps others could help you search the marriage index?

[Pam Downes]

Hi chOpend0z,
A family tree on Ancestry has Selina Merrick marrying Walter Jones, and gives details from either the marriage certificate or the entry in the parish register. A check on the GRO Index shows a Walter Jones marrying in June quarter 1887 with a reference of Birmingham 6d 116 - the same as Selina Merrick.

Searches of the 1871 and 1881 census on Ancestry for Selina born in Balsall Heath 1863 +/- 5 years turn up surnames of Broom, Coley, and Weake/Weare, none of whom marry in June quarter 1887. Searches for Selina born Birmingham 1863 +/- the reduced figure of 1 year produce 70 names in 1871 and 62 in 1881. You could work your way through those names for a marriage in June quarter 1887, but if you are 99% sure that Henry and Selina are the correct family then I would order the marriage certificate in just Henry's name.
Pam

[ch0pend0z]

I feel kinda foolish ... I just found buried (in error) in an unrelated file, a Marriage Certificate that I had apparently obtained in Dec 2007. Sadly there no mention of the GRO reference number. This was for a Henry Daniel POTTER & a Selina GOLDSBURY (signed GOLDSBERRY) on 10 Apr 1887 at St. David's, Birmingham - after banns. When I say 'signed', it looks like the officiating curate completed the Certificate in his own handwriting - signatures included. I do have the right Henry Daniel POTTER as there are matches with his father's name & occupation as well as both witnesses who are close relatives. Thank you all for taking the time to help.

[Kerrywood]

No need to feel foolish, because most of us have done that sort of thing at some time or another. You've just saved yourself £9.25 and a lot of stress -- good result! :smile5: