Incorrect Surname

[JoanneB]

Hello,

I have received a copy of an 1852 birth certificate from the GRO, and the mother's maiden name has been put down incorrectly. Needless to say the mistake has been copied onto several family trees.

Is there anything I can do about this?

Joanne

PS There is no question that they have got the name wrong!

[Jan1954]

In what way is it incorrect? As in something radical like Smith to Farquharson or a mistake like Rigglesford to Rigglesworth, the latter of which happened to one of mine....

[Peter Goodey]

There is no question that they have got the name wrong!

Well, I've got a question. In what way is it wrong and how do you know that it's wrong?

[JoanneB]

Hello,

Thank you both for your replies.

Firstly, the name transcribed could be mistaken for her maiden name if the transcriber did not look carefully enough. Secondly, I have marriage, and their other childrens birth certificates.
Joanne

[Pam Downes]

Hello,

I have received a copy of an 1852 birth certificate from the GRO, and the mother's maiden name has been put down incorrectly. Needless to say the mistake has been copied onto several family trees.

Is there anything I can do about this?

Joanne

PS There is no question that they have got the name wrong!


Hello,

Thank you both for your replies.

Firstly, the name transcribed could be mistaken for her maiden name if the transcriber did not look carefully enough. Secondly, I have marriage, and their other childrens birth certificates.
Joanne
Joanne, I don't know about anyone else but these two statements leave me even more confused.
Unless, the names are highly sensitive, and ones you would prefer not to give, it would be extremely helpful if you could quote exactly what is in which of the name, father, and mother columns.
Pam

[Jan1954]

Unless, the names are highly sensitive, and ones you would prefer not to give, it would be extremely helpful if you could quote exactly what is in which of the name, father, and mother columns.
PamAs well as what you think it should be. :wink5:

[Waitabit]

Is this problem as simple as perhaps having an 'S' or not onthe end of a name? Could happen!

[Peter Goodey]

Joanne

Intriguing as it is, I don't think anyone can comment on this without knowing the details.

[JoanneB]

Thank you all for your replies.

I had not intended to get into a discussion about whether or not the name has been transcribed incorrectly, as I know it has!

I just wanted to know is there anything I can do to get it corrected so others do not go down the wrong track. I have all the evidence I need to verify it has been a mistake.

Joanne

[Pam Downes]

Tricky one this.
I know that if there is a mistake in the GRO Index itself - as in they have my aunt marrying in Boston registration district while her groom allegedly marries in Bilston registration district, or the original PR entry clearly saying Cresswell and it's been indexed at the GRO as Gresswell - then you can advise the GRO and they can amend the records held in Southport. Entries on sites such as Ancestry and Findmypast can't be amended - it's not possible. All you can really do is write a post-em against the entry in FreeBMD.
I think you would have to start by sending a copy of the birth certificate you have to the original registration office and ask if they can confirm what name they have in their register. If it's the same, then the only correction you can make is to place a postem against the entry on FreeBMD so that at least other people are aware of the error. If the entry at the local office is correct, then I don't know if they can send a corrected version through to the GRO, or whether you would have to write to the GRO, tell them about the error, and then leave it up to them. If the name on the certificate in the issuing office is correct, then I suppose you would be within your rights to insist that the GRO issue you with a corrected certificate.
Pam

[v.wells]

I suppose you could inform the GRO with evidence of proof BUT registration entries were recorded by how the information was heard and by what information was given. If the spelling error occurred because the handwriting was difficult to read or the informant was illiterate and couldn't read to correct it, there is really nothing you can do as those persons who initially transcribed the register entries are long gone. I doubt you can undo the past of human errors (although we would all like to) :)

[Peter Goodey]

I just wanted to know is there anything I can do to get it corrected so others do not go down the wrong track

But we don't know what "it" is!" Bride's name on GRO copy differs from parish register?

[gasser]

But we don't know what "it" is!" Bride's name on GRO copy differs from parish register?

Peter has a point here. It's hard to pass judgement and advise accordingly and if there is a 'mistake'...... how come others

Needless to say the mistake has been copied onto several family trees. have not picked up on it ?

[judyg]

It would depend if this 'missinformation' is only on the index or if it is on the actual certificate. If it is on the certificate itself then you have 'buckleys' chance of changing it. My 3xGreat Grandfather's marriage reg has his name indexed as JUNIOR Henry Jenkin and to be fair that is exactly what is on the certificate -Henry Jenkin Junior, it is only when you see the original cert and look at the father column you see that it is written he is the son of Henry Jenkin SENIOR.

When I first discovered this I did contact the GRO but was told that whatever is on the cert is what is recorded be it right, wrong or indifferent!

Cheers
Judyg

[Peter Goodey]

It seems that the questioner does not intend to provide any details so I don't see that there is any more that can be said about this.

All I would say is that BMD certificates are historical documents and you would need a very, very good reason to even ask for one to be changed.

[JoanneB]

Thank you all for your advice and sharing your experiences on this subject. I will of course let you know if there are any outcomes. Peter, there was no point in wasting peoples time mentioning the names in this case, as that was not part of my question. I know what the mother's maiden name should be and I know what has been transcribed so no help needed there. The 1852 birth of my 1st cousin x3R is the only one where the mother's maiden name has been put down incorrectly, the other 8 siblings births certificates are correct. I was seeking advice on what if anything I could do about it. Thanks again, Joanne

[v.wells]

Who ever initially recorded the nformation will be deemed correct regardless of what you think it should be. As Peter says Historical documents are seldom, if ever, changed.

[arthurk]

When I first discovered this I did contact the GRO but was told that whatever is on the cert is what is recorded be it right, wrong or indifferent!

I think the GRO are very reluctant to admit to any mistakes unless there is incontrovertible evidence - but it does sometimes happen...


I just wanted to know is there anything I can do to get it corrected so others do not go down the wrong track. I have all the evidence I need to verify it has been a mistake.

My wife's maiden name was recorded wrongly in the GRO index for our marriage. We found out that the local register office had recorded it correctly, so we were able to tell the GRO that the mistake had occurred subsequent to the actual registration, and they agreed to make a correction. If the mistake was made at the registration I would say there's no chance of getting it changed, but if you can prove that it happened later (i.e. it was due to a copying error by some official) then you may have a chance.

Arthur

[Chipp'n'Dale]

Thank you all for your advice and sharing your experiences on this subject. I will of course let you know if there are any outcomes. Peter, there was no point in wasting peoples time mentioning the names in this case, as that was not part of my question. I know what the mother's maiden name should be and I know what has been transcribed so no help needed there. The 1852 birth of my 1st cousin x3R is the only one where the mother's maiden name has been put down incorrectly, the other 8 siblings births certificates are correct. I was seeking advice on what if anything I could do about it. Thanks again, Joanne
Joanne - You seem to be missing the point of why people were asking what the mistake you are wishing to get corrected was. The nature of the error would have a direct impact on the advice given.
For instance, if you have a cert from the local office that says one name, whilst the cert from the GRO says something different, then you may be able to persuade them to change it. However if you have a cert that has information different from what you know, then as has been said, they will not change it because it exists as an historical document containing the infiormation as given at the time. As an example of the later, the birth cert of my OH's mother had a birth date 6 days different from the actual date. They would not change that. These are just two examples of the many possible scenarios.
Also you have to remember that they do not know you, nor know how thorough you are (which I'm sure you are). Therefore they cannot go around changing historical documents based on your say so. You've only got to look at some of the trees on A******y to appreciate that what one person is convinced is right may be different from what another is equally convinced is correct.
The exact nature of any advice given here would depend on the exact problem.

[JoanneB]

Arthur,

Thank you very much for telling me about your experience, that was very useful information! Joanne

[Nannas]

Hi Joanne,
I have nothing of use to add but would find the situation very frustrating...
Here in Australia if you find errors in the historical records (BDM's) you can provide your proof and have amendments made.
They keep the original but place a notice against it and usually BOTH records end up showing in an online search...
eg: VIC BDM's will list a R next to the index/rego number,,,so then you search for the index/rego number only and the amendments show up.
NSW will just list both but usually one with the recorded info and one with the amended info with the date of amendment...

Anyway as I said no help here, just can understand how frustrating it must be!!!
Nannas

[JoanneB]

Hello Nannas,

That does seem to me to be the sensible approach. Yes it is frustrating when you know that something is wrong, and it appears that you may not be able to get it corrected. Some of my ancestors emigrated to Australia in the 1800's, so I do search Australian records, and I was not aware of how they deal with this problem, so thank you very much. It is great when you learn something new in genealogy, it's lifelong learning! Joanne