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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Mobo on Tuesday 04 January 05 15:27 GMT (UK)
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??? ??? ???
Are your certificates taking 4-6 weeks to arrive these days ? Then why not try the Genuki website ?
http://www.genuki.org.uk/
If you click onto the Region you need, then find the address of the Civil Registration Office, you can write to them there, giving full details, a cheque for £7.00, and an S.A.E. It takes only 3-7 days on average.
:D :D :D
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I'm still waiting for a cert I ordered from the GRO on 16th Dec! The longest time I'v ever had to wait. I hope it is worth it ;)
Jonathan
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Hi All
Some registry offices will actually take your request over the phone and let you pay by credit card (small fee). I recently got some certificates in the next day's post.
Although the GRO certificates are reproductions of the original records, I found them difficult to read because the ones I ordered were very faint. Registry office certificates are hand produced and are much clearer.
Some registry offices will also do a bit of free searching
if you have some data but not an exact date.
In my opinion a much better and personal service is given by the registry offices.
Regards
Roger
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:)
I agree entirely - sometimes however because they are copies as you say witnesses names on marriages and births can be spelled wrongly - luckily I've always known who they were referring to
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Number of problems occur there. Some don't issue historical certs Hackney springs to mind. Some say 28 days minimum and I know of only 2 that send them out by return of post, Sussex and Leeds but there may be many more. Marriages are a next problem. If you don't know the church forget it go via the GRO I know of no area that will search all the marriage registers ( one for each church).
Anthony Lambert guarantees certs in 5 days so thats probably the quickest route overall but I believe they are slightly dearer. http://www.certificates.fsnet.co.uk/c5d.htm
GEn
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Hi
I think some of the delay is down to the surge of interest following the recent BBC programme 'Who do you think you are'. Prior to the programme I had certificates from GRO within 5 days, the latest took nearly 1 month. Good to know more people are researching family history, after all, we all stand to benefit from additional researchers and the information produced.
Gerry
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Still waiting for a cert ordered on 16th December with anticipated despatch date of 31st December! Wondering now if has gotten lost :-\
Is there a 'progress tracker' option on the GRO site?
Jonathan
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:) :)
My point has just been proved !!
The postman has just delivered a marriage certificate I ordered from Manchester Register Office on the 5th January (that's 5 days incl. week-end). On the other hand, I ordered four certificates on 1837online on the 4th December, and I'M STILL WAITING !
:) :)
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An update in case anyone else is waiting and wondering too ...
I called the GRO. Apparently certificates they are despatching TODAY are were those scheduled for despatch on 23rd December! Ho hum ....
Regards
Jonathan
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Thanks for the information, Jonathan. I'm waiting for 4, ordered when the despatch date given was January 4th. I wonder whether there was any collaboration between the BBC and the GRO before they embarked on something that would obviously result in hugely increased demand. Did they consider taking on more staff? Or do they assume that it will all die down after a while? The people who are new to all this will be put off if they have to wait forever for certificates.
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I have got the same problem - still waiting for some I ordered before Christmas - the suspense is killing me!
It is a lot quicker if you go to the local registry office and order them if your lucky enough to live locally I usually get them within 7 days
Willow x
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Hi
I'm one of the pre-Christmas waiters, too, and it is frustraing. Thje last ones I received via GRO took around a month. I know its not their problem, and I had a sympathetic exchange of e-mails with someone at the GRO who explained how overwhelmed they are. Still, at £7 a throw, all this extra revenue should allow them to buy a few temps in, wouldn;t you think?
Durham County Council has a searchable births and marriage index which in the latter case gives you the spouse's name - great. Not many deaths indexed yet. You can order direct from this site with your credit card, and turnaround has been about 2/3 days. As I'm originally from Durham, I'm very proud of what the County Council has done here: a great use of ratepayers money in my opinion.
Even if your tree doesn't emerge in Durham, its worth having a quick play!
www.durham.gov.uk/gro/newgro.nsf/search?open&C0871320110111012005$ (http://www.durham.gov.uk/gro/newgro.nsf/search?open&C0871320110111012005$)
Even better - have a look at this page:
www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/gis+-+online+mapping (http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/gis+-+online+mapping)
Click on 'Launch the GIS' and you can see detailed maps of the county, and then click onto historial maps and see the exact same area as it was in the 19thC - fabulous!
Why can't all county councils do this! ;D Would make life so much simpler.
All the best
Paul
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Should I not say that I've just received mine from Dec 29th - perhaps they are catching up!!
Cheers
Keith
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I ordered 3 just after xmas, they gave me despatch date of Jan 24th but I expect I'll be waiting longer than that!
Thankfully my dad said he'd get the Wolverhampton certs I need for me direct from there. (I'm in Surrey) Seven days sounds not too bad Willow.
I'm desperate to get the GRO ones I've ordered because they might break down some HUGE brick walls, though I suspect I will need to order another marriage cert (Shropshire one) straight away. ::)
I can get that from them quicker direct though couldn't I? Hope everyone who's waiting gets theirs soon. ;D
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Just to let you know I had one cert of 6 arrive this morning that had a despatch date of 5 January so they are moving, even though slowly.
Ho hum
kerryb
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Further update for others who are waiting ...
Since I put a reference checker on my certificate request (due to illegible index entry) I received an email today todaying that my cert ordered 16th December has been posted today 12th Jan.
Jonathan
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I've just received the 3 I ordered in December. It may be my imagination but the quality is poorer than usual.
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Hi,
I received my cert ordered 16th Dec, today 13th Jan - thankfully after that long wait it is the 'right' one!!!
However, I agree with suttontrust, that the quality of the print does seem a lot poorer than anything I've ordered before.
Regards
Jonathan
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My certificates turned up!
Now know my great grandmothers maiden name, discovered that my great great grandad was a widower when he married and my great great grandfather died on christmas eve of pluro pnumonia
Oh happy day *dancing around the computer*
Willow x
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Yeah. I ordered a certificate before Christmas, and I'm still waiting! This time last year I would have expected it to arrive within 7 days.
I blame it on the masses of new enthusiasts who have begun participating in our elite sport - all of that running around graveyards, villages and records centres makes it a sport for me!
Even with this added inconvenience, I think that genealogy and family history should be made compulsory for all children. In fact, I think that young people should be required to demonstrate adequate knowledge of at least one line of their ancestors, going back 4 generations or more, before being issued a National Insurance number or a drivers license. Why? Don't know, but it seems a good idea.
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Hi
Mine just arrived today - about two and a half weeks.
Paul
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I ordered a certificate for a friend back home (UK) and I got it in 3 days. You can get it that same day but it costs you a tads extra but super fast over here (Aussie)
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Hi All
I have just posted an order for a birth certificate from The Forest of Dean Registry Office (Gloucestershire).
I will keep you posted as to how long it takes.
I hope that my recomendation (see earlier post on this subject) doesn't go pear shaped as this is the first time I have ordered from this registry office.
Kind regards
Roger
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I started using the GRO website to order my certificates about 1.5 years ago. I used to try to order them from the local register offices, but sometimes got letters back saying that they couldn't find the entry. No more trying to decide which office to send the request to.
Besides, I think it's nice to have a photocopy of the original entry rather than those modern transcriptions written in big girlie-letters - not the elegant penmanship of old dead people.
Transcriptions = Possible errors.
Also, the strange shaped marriage certificates that the local offices provide are difficult to photocopy/scan and have to be folded for storage in protective A4 sleeves.
Oh yes, on the subject of photocopying; does anyone take any notice of the copyrights we are asked to sign after receiving copies from records offices? Who owns the information on these records? Surely, as living descendants of these people, we are the rightful owners.
Still awaiting my cert. Come on let his middle name be Arthur...please!
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Hi All
This morning I received the birth certificate from The Forest of Dean Registry Office (Gloucestershire) that I ordered by post on on Thursday 13 January (see reply 22). My order was sent by first class post and must have been received Friday (the certificate was dated 14/01/05). They sent the certificate to me by second class post so it arrived today and not Saturday.
Congratulations to The Forest of Dean Registry Office and to the Royal Mail for providing a perfect service.
As far as I can determine all the information was correctly transcribed and the writing was small and neat with no big girly letters.
So at the end of the day I prefer the registry office service but others may prefer to wait a long time to get a certificate that ican be difficult to read but is a replica of the original. The choice is yours.
Regards
Roger
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Hi All
Me again.
I've had a change of heart.
The birth certificate that I ordered was for my wife's great grandfather. Now that I have her great great grandparents names I have been able to identify the quarter that they got married in. It was the one before the birth. Typical of these prim and proper Victorians! Now the marriage was registered in the Monmouth registration district but I believe that the marriage actually took place in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. Because I don't know the church I have ordered the certificate online from the GRO. I'll get a nice A4 certificate that will fit my scanner.
I hope that I can read it OK!
You will all think that I'm a turncoat but it's horses for courses.
Its not a good start though because the estimated date of despatch is 01/02/05 which is two weeks away.
Once again I will let you know how I get on.
Regards
Roger
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I got 3 certificates on Friday. Spent the weekend chasing up the leads they gave me. Now I've got 9 (nine) on order - for 2 different friends - and I'm in that limbo period when you can't do anything till you get the certificates. One of the 9 I've ordered from the local RO, only because it happens to be where I live, and since this is the first time I've ordered locally it will be interesting to see how long it takes.
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Just have to say Suttontrust when I have ordered them from the local registry office I usually get them within 7 days
Willow x
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Hi Suttontrust,
If your in Hull as your name suggests then you'll probably get your certs by return of post if youve ordered them from the Hull office. They will be nicely typed so keep your fingers crossed that they've been transcribed correctly
happy hunting
Bee
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I rang Dudley Registry Office this morning in an attempt to check some details before ordering a marriage certificate. I was told there had been a fire; all records had been put into storage and could not be accessed and I was directed to the GRO. I ordered the certificate online and was given an expected delivery date of 1st February. We shall see!
Jill
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Happy to report that I got my birth certificate copy from the Hull Register Office literally by return of post.
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The certificate I ordered from GRO (via the link from 1837 online) in late December arrived Monday 17/01, & then it was the wrong one !!! >:( I sent them the correct region/ volume/ page - but they selected the wrong entry. I have to return it before they will issue me with the correct one. That's another 5 working days.
Previously I sent a request to my local Bedford record office for 2 certificates & they came, more or less, by return post.
So it may be quicker to approach the "local" office direct :)
John P
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Just a note that might be useful info for others.
To try to shorten the time to obtain certificates via the online GRO, I telephoned the Islington Registrars office (which hold the St Luke parish records that I'm after) and they said that due to 'overwhelming demand' they are no longer providing copies of certificates for St Luke (and other parishes) prior to 1901 :( and referred me to the GRO online.
Bah humbug >:(
Regards
Jonathan
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Well I am happy to say i posted my request off on the 5th of Jan and the cert arrived today, over the moon as it is the right one and i can now send off for more just need to work out how to get the marriage cert, first one i have sent off for so any help would be great.
Vanessa
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I have today ordered 2 death certs from Camden reg office over the phone. They are both C19th and for St pancras.
They rang back and said the search would take a while as I could only narrow it down to particular quarters and would take 7-10 days. At least they let me know I suppose!!
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;D ;D ;D
Just another example of why I prefer Register Offices to the PRO.
Two certs ordered from Blackburn on the 16 January - both arrived today.
Two certs ordered from Wigan on the 15 January - my SAE arrived today. As one is wrong, that cheque is returned (I always enclose separate £7.00 cheques for each cert just in case) Unlike the PRO who, when a cert is wrong, keep £3.00 back as an admin fee !!
Don't get me wrong, I think the 1837online site is great - wouldn't be without it, but as for ordering certs from there, I'll stick to the tried and tested method thanks.
:D :D
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I have just been in to order two marriage certificates today at the local registry office so I will keep you posted how long they take
I'm expecting about 7 days as I didn't know the exact date and had to give them the quarter instead
Willow x
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A marriage cert ordered via the Durham County Council website last week arrived within 3 days (payed by credit card). Wish all my relly's originated from Durham! :)
Ordered two certs on GRO yesterday - estimated despatch date of 7 February.
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Hi all
I think things may be getting back to normal at the GRO. I ordered three birth certs on the 12th and they arrived today :)
Mick
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Mick
That's encouraging!
Paul :D
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:) :) :)
Received two certificates today from the Leicestershire Register Office - they were ordered on 28 January -
;D ;D ;D
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My certificates arrived on the 27th of January but as I didnt receive any post for two days before that (our postman sometimes seems to miss our block) I dont think that was bad going
Only downer was I already had the one certificate (duh! forgot and ordered it twice) but found out my GGGrandma listed Berry Street as her residence when she got married - I look at it every day out of my office window!!
Small world
Willow x
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In a recent post someone highlighted the fact that one register office are no longer issuing pre 1901 certificates and advised that the person use the GRO. However they legally cannot do that. The law states that anyone with just cause to want a certificate upon payment of the fee shall be issued the said certificate. The law also allows for you at any reasonable time access to the self same registers however you cannot nor have the right to take any notes but instead have to memorise the details or pay for the aforementioned certificate. Guy Etchells as created a site with these laws on them and the one relating to the above can be found at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/%7Eframland/acts/hal.htm
Rob
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I must be the only lucky one ordering certificates from the 1837 site. I ordered a death cert. on 15 January and was advised that it would be despatched on 31 Jan. (this is later than it use to be before the television programme on Family history!) and received it today - 3 Feb. - I don't think that is too bad! Perhaps the answer is to only order one at a time? I am expecting another cert. to be despatched tomorrow - I wonder when I will receive that!.
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I just rang the GRO help line and asked them to search out 5 GRO Refs to identify the right certificate and they said the results/certificate was due for dispatch on the 9th of Feb! ???
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Durham County Council has a searchable births and marriage index which in the latter case gives you the spouse's name - great. Not many deaths indexed yet. You can order direct from this site with your credit card, and turnaround has been about 2/3 days. As I'm originally from Durham, I'm very proud of what the County Council has done here: a great use of ratepayers money in my opinion.
Even if your tree doesn't emerge in Durham, its worth having a quick play!
www.durham.gov.uk/gro/newgro.nsf/search?open&C0871320110111012005$ (http://www.durham.gov.uk/gro/newgro.nsf/search?open&C0871320110111012005$)
Even better - have a look at this page:
www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/gis+-+online+mapping (http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/gis+-+online+mapping)
Click on 'Launch the GIS' and you can see detailed maps of the county, and then click onto historial maps and see the exact same area as it was in the 19thC - fabulous!
Why can't all county councils do this! ;D Would make life so much simpler.
All the best
Paul
What a brilliant idea! Yes, I agree, all county councils should do this.
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Hi All
Just to let you know that the marriage certificate promised by the GRO for dispatch on 01 February has still not arrived. so I'm not very impressed.
Regards
Roger
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Hi All
i think i must be lucky :) whenever i have ordered any certs they have come early or on time.ordered some on the 18 jan they arrived two days ago.
paula
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I was waiting for 5 certificates and they've all arrived in the last 2 days, within a day or two of the despatch date. Two I've ordered tonight give a despatch date of Feb 18th, so it looks like they're speeding up.
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Roger
You might get it tomorrow. Mine was "to be despatched" 31 Jan, postmarked 1 Feb and arrived today.
Casalguidi
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: >:( >:( >:(
A weary little death certificate fell onto the mat this morning from the GRO - it was ordered on the 5 January !!
>:( >:( >:(
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Post for MOBO! I said 'Post for MOBO!'
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HI
I ORDERED ON THE 18TH TOO OUTLAW - STILL HAVENT ARRIVED :'( :'( :'(
MIND YOU MIGHT COME TODAY, OUT POST NOW COMES ABOUT 3PM!!!!!!!
NICKY
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:) :) :)
I still don't like your mask Paul, whichever way you put it,
Ich mag Ihre Maske nicht ! (German)
Je n'aime pas votre masque ! (French)
Non amo la sua maschera ! (Italian)
;D ;D ;D
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I have today ordered 2 death certs from Camden reg office over the phone. They are both C19th and for St pancras.
They rang back and said the search would take a while as I could only narrow it down to particular quarters and would take 7-10 days. At least they let me know I suppose!!
To bring you up to date - a solitary death cert arrived this am. They can find no trace of the other ??? This is strange as there is a GRO listing for it. So I have now ordered it from the 1837 site. Estimated despatch date is 21 Feb. It will have taken me a month to get this particular cert. Just a tad frustrating!!
At least the one I did receive was for the correct person. Ho hum isn't genealogy fun?
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Hi all,
I must have been lucky with getting my certs through the 1837on line site. I haven't waited more that 2-3 weeks for any of them and I have just ordered an overseas certificate through them for an army birth/baptism and received the certificate in 4 days! :) :)
I have just ordered another overseas certificate and will keep my fingers crossed for a similar length of time.
Cheers
Magrat
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a solitary death cert
Those are the saddest deaths, when no one else is around! ;D
Paul
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Yes Paul they are.However, my friends and familly think I'm really strange because I get excited at the arrival of a death cert. But then aren't all my rellies that I'm searching for dead?
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Hi Sue
My family think I'm strange because when we go on holiday the first place I want to visit is the local cemetery. Little do they know that I plan the holiday locations to coincide with the cemeteries I wish to visit.
Trish
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Hi All
Further to my replies no 25 and 46 my marriage certificate from the GRO at last arrived three weeks after the order was placed. This was a week later than they promised and compares to the three days that the related birth certificate took to come from the local registry office.
The good news is that I could read it, it was the correct one and the size is A4 so it fits my folder.
I won't be using this service again unless there is no alternative as in this case.
I'm a committed registry offfice fan!!
Regards
Roger
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Still waiting for mine from the GRO after three and a half weeks. Maybe they don't like the cut of my jib?
Paul
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They can't possibly have seen your mugshot on Rootschat can they?
Don't take it personally Paul. The glitch seems to be nationwide.
Patience is a virtue/genealogist waiting for a certificate!!!!
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Mustn't grumble, mustn't GROan -
I realise I'm not alone
But its still frustrating nonetheless
With every passing day - the stress
I'm GROwing older every day
Watching the postie pass this way
By the time my bleedin' certs arrive
I may not even be alive!
GROwling at them does no good
They're drowning in a massive flood
Of marriage, birth and death requests -
It's put their systems to the test
One thing's for certain, while I wait
My beard's GROwn to a proper state
Perhaps I need to GROvel more
To get the certs to my front door?
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very funny and very good paul ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
legs
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I like it Paul 8) ;) ;D
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Speaks for all of us Paul.............hope I don't grow aa beard though ;D
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Really good Paul!!
I actually believed the GRO when the said 7 working days! Fortnight on and still no sign, how long should you leave it before enquiring?
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i waited till the day it ws supposed to arrive then i e-mailed them and it arrived 3 days later i think they sent it after my complaint i need to do it again should have had one by the 4th feb
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In a recent post someone highlighted the fact that one register office are no longer issuing pre 1901 certificates and advised that the person use the GRO. However they legally cannot do that. The law states that anyone with just cause to want a certificate upon payment of the fee shall be issued the said certificate. The law also allows for you at any reasonable time access to the self same registers however you cannot nor have the right to take any notes but instead have to memorise the details or pay for the aforementioned certificate.
Genresearch in an earlier post made the above comment in reply to the delay from the GRO and trying to obtain certs from a Registry Office.
As the fact that one is able to view information at the Registry Office is new to me, can someone clarify whether it is just the index you see (as in the GRO index - I've only ever seen the microfiche ones) or is it the actual Registers you are able to see?
Is this law still current?
If so I'm definitely going to look for some of my elusive rellies..
Newbie
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I just checked the Kent site recommended by casalguidi in another post for Birth/Death/Marriage information on this site they state
What if I do not have all the correct information?
For a fee you can search the birth, death and marriage indexes held in the register office. You must make an appointment to do this. Our staff will of course be happy to provide you with certificates for any entries that you find
If the law says we have the right to look at the information do we have to pay to do so? Can they legally charge us?
Help I'm confused
Newbie
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Newbie,
On my post I left a link to the actual law that is written down on Guy Etchell's website. I would suggest you read that. Yes they can charge you to look at the index that they have compiled but not the registers. It is a very sticky siutuation and one that I did take up with HMSO who to say the least would not confirm or deny it. There reply was it is as the law is written. Both Guy and I have on several lists made this point known to people and although the ambiguity is there the wording of the law is you can view the original register and can then cause for a cert to be made which you have to pay for but you do not have the right to take notes without payment. Now since that law was passed the DPA and the latest Freedom of information act as come in and the latter may have altered that position. That reminds me to ask Guy is views on this.
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For info, I asked for 4 certs on 23/01, with an ETA on 07/02. I got 2 today (09/02) in separate envelopes - I expect the other 2 tomorrow ? Another criticism of the service is that they took their money on 26/01 >:( As a gesture by GRO in keeping good customer relationships, perhaps they should only be paid when they dispatch the goods. John P
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On this aspect of taking the money long before despatch of goods I have complained to GRO about this and they said they were passing my comments to the appropriate department............whatever that means!!!!!
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Sue, I think a letter to your MP might carry more weight.
I know its hardly a life or death issue (or is it? :D) but perhaps if Rootschatters could be persuaded to write to MPs about the need for more staff at the GRO, we might get some results. They's certainly be interested in why money is debited before the service is delivered, I'm sure.
Family Historians, rise up - you have nothing to lose but your no claims bonus!
Paul
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Genresearch,
Thanks for the reply, I did follow the link and read the information on Guy's site, I wondered how up to date this was? especially with the new Freedom to Information Act being implemented.
So my understanding of the law is that we have the basic right (in law) to see the registers, at a convenient time - which may be interpreted as during opening hours or by appointment, that we do not have the right to make notes (only memorize) but having seen the registers can then ask for a certificate to be provided, which they must do, upon receipt of the required fee.
That if we wish to see indexes they may charge appropriately.
Phew, thanks for all your advice. I still feel inclined to go a wandering to the Registry Offices.
Newbie
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:) :) :)
Two certificates arrived this morning - one from Leicester Register Office, the other from Rutland Register Office.
They were both ordered on the 7 February
:) :) :)
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2 ordered on 21 January with a despatch date of 4 Feb were posted on 9 Feb and arrived 10 Feb.
2 ordered on 23 January with a despatch date of 7 Feb arrived alongside them.
Although its a little more hassle, I think I'll try to follow Mobo's line in future, and use the local offices.
cheers
Paul
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Though of course, I'll miss the nail-biting suspense of waiting so long! ;D
Reminds me of the Father Ted episode when he buys his housekeeper a Teasmade, 'designed to take the misery out of tea-making', and she replies 'I like the misery'! ;D
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Birth certificate arrived this morning, only posted the request on Tuesday, to
Sunderland Registry Office - I have used this Registry Office before, and they always seem to have a very quick turn around.
Last year I requested by phone, and paid by cc a copy marriage certificate for my in laws, as I wanted the Queen to send them a telegram for their wedding
anniversary - the certificate was with me the next day - This was my local
Registry Office in Eastbourne, East Sussex.
Now for the weakest link - London, can't remember which borough, but I wrote off for a birth certificate along with my cheque and stamped addressed
envelope - 6 months later, my cheque was returned saying they couldn't find my relative !
Sandra
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I posted an order on Saturday 5th for 2 certificates -
Liverpool RO - still waiting :'(
Tamworth RO - arrived on Tuesday 8th - sent out day of receipt :)
Following Tamworth certificate posted a request to Birmingham RO on 9 Feb - received it today - again sent out day of receipt!!!!!
Certificates ordered from GRO on 14/1/05 arrived 3 and 4 Feb!!!
I'm using local offices where poss from now on!!
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If you think waiting for certificates is bad enough,since the (fantastic BBC programme),you should see my local reference library Middlesbrough,its like Picadilly Circus !
I have lost count of the number of times i overhear people saying " I,ve got the date,s if thats any help ?"
however the staff are extremely helpful,and it is the best building in town!
amw
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Genresearch,
Further to your post re issue of certificates and that one can look at the registers at a Registry Office.
I have looked at Guy Etchells site, and off I went today to Reading to make an appointment to see the Registers.
Humph!!! Fat chance!
I was told they have an index which they would charge me to look in, I agree with this as per your previous statement, but they prefer to do the search themselves, it would be less convenient for me to do the search and would I write in with the details. When I said I didn't want to search the index but the Registers that was a flat no no, no one has the right to search the Registers absolutely not.
Where to now? any ideas recommendations, shall I write to my MP to clarify?
I was flatly refused my request to look at the Registers.
Newbie
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Family history researchers.
Take up your arms and storm the records offices to demand our rights!!!!
Seriously though, we need someone to clarify the legal position on this one. There must be a legal eagle in the massed ranks of Rootschat members.
Regards
Roger
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Hi Roger,
I'm hoping there will be a legal whizz amongst the ranks of Rootschatters, clarification would help, but one thing I thought today was if we are already allowed (well technically) to see the registers why are the Government bringing in Freedom of Information Act?
Maybe thats something completely different.
Newbie
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They will flatly refuse and I suspect it will be in the wording of the act. Searches at a registrar’s office.
Every registrar 1 must, at any time when his office is required to be open for the transaction of public business, 2 allow searches to be made in any register of live births or deaths and register of marriages in his keeping and must on payment of the proper fee 3 give a certified copy under his hand of any entry in them 4. The right of the public to search the registers of births and deaths cannot be taken away by the Registrar General under his power to make regulations 5. taken from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/%7Eframland/acts/hal.htm
So as you see they have to allow a search to be made. Now I guess they will argue that they will do this on your behalf and free of charge. I would then argue that they are allowing people access to these registers and that is why the county BMD's are now going online
Rob
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Just to update, I have now written to my MP for an explanation - lets see what he comes up with!
Newbie
-
Nice one, newbie - whose your MP by the way?
Paul
-
Andrew McKay, Cons.
Newbie
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just had a reply off the GRO who cannot understand the delay, my certificate was due to go out on the 11 feb! I ordered it about three weeks ago.
I only went through the GRO because my interests lie in staffordshire and due to fire the records office at Dudley did not have a copy there.
Its really frustrating, I dont mind waiting a week but i think three weeks is taking the mickey! I just hope that when the certificates come they have what im looking for on them!
-
I was reminded by this thread that I needed to order a cert from Lincolnshire. I rang them for address / payment details and was advised that 'for family history applications it is taking about a month at the moment'.
Presumably, even the GRO will beat that deadline? :)
Paul
-
:) :) :) :)
So folks ! What's the general census of opinion on this one then ??
Pro-Local Register Offices or Pro-GRO ??
:) :) :) :)
-
Hi Mobo
Definately pro local (unless you're looking in Lincolnshire! ::))!
Paul
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........and steer clear of Camden RO too!!!!!!!!
-
Ive had certificates back from South Tyneside within four days, so definately pro local for me. ;D
-
Definuitely pro local - they seem to average about 7 days
Plus you get a photocopy of the actual certificate not the registry entry
Willow x
-
How did you manage that? The Cert I received from a local RO was a typewritten version......another opportunity for mistakes! What am I doing wrong?
-
Every one I've received from the local RO has been a certified photocopy
I would think it takes longer to type one out rather than photocopy it
Willow x
-
Definitely pro local, and i agree about the photocopy - its great to see your ancestor's signature on birth and marriage certificates!
-
I just checked with the office I need some from and they said they had a high workload so at least 2 weeks.
Newbie
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Lets get one thing straight here. Records Offices will do a certified copy of an entry from the Baptism Marriage and Death Registers. Registry offices will in the main photcopy the exact entry from the register. However this may in the end be a certified copy of the original. Why? Because the register is in to bad a state to be photo copied. My own belief is that they shouldn't phot copy them. Why? Well to answer the question with a question What damage is being done to the original every time they bend the spine to copy the cert? Yes they do this I have witnessed it and now as a rule I request where possible a photo copy but if this entails bending the spine I wish to be given a certified copy. They look at me with wide eyes until I explain that I don't want to see the records destroyed
Rob
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Being on the other side of the world I am just so grateful that at least now I can order on line - going local isn't an option!
The wait is frustrating as I then I have to add an extra 5-7 days in the post before I get my cetificate. But at least they send them email.
Cheers
Janet :)
-
I love to see original signitures on certificates, but I didnt realise that the certificates were in danger of being damaged in the process of photocopying. Selfish as it sounds, personally I'd still rather have a copy of the original.
-
Kat,
That is how we all feel even myself but I also believe in preserving old documents for all which is why I have agreed to do a number of hours research for someone and my payment will be an indenture to build a church. This I will donate after copying to my local records office. It is also why I try and buy old books, scan them etc and indentures well I daren't say how many of those I have bought and sent to the relevant CRO's
Sooner or later these old certificates will be scanned and available on line which will negate this topic anyway. The sooner the better for all :)
Rob
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Just imagine! The ease of being able to down load the correct certificate instantly! Kind of takes away the thrill of the chase though!
-
The chase still exists in finding the correct entry to download! I enjoy the downloads (Scotland & Vic, Australia) because you get a register page - I seem to spend hours imagining who, what & why of the other 4/5 folks that come down from cyberspace with my family.
Trish
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Hi,
I followed Mobo's advice, ordered the certificates from the Registry Office - told expected turn around time of 2 weeks.
Posted letter on Friday 19th , Received Certificates TODAY - WEDNESDAY 23rdYIPPEE. They deserve a great big thank you!
Newbie
-
I'm testing out Northallerton at the moment. I posted my request on 19 Feb and will let you know when I get a response.
Paul
-
Paul,
look at you, you old Veteran, all those stars, welcome to the club! Congratulations.
Newbie
-
Thanks Newbie! At least we can say we survived the Rootschat Wars of February 2005! ;)
-
I have today ordered 2 death certs from Camden reg office over the phone. They are both C19th and for St pancras.
They rang back and said the search would take a while as I could only narrow it down to particular quarters and would take 7-10 days. At least they let me know I suppose!!
To bring you up to date - a solitary death cert arrived this am. They can find no trace of the other ??? This is strange as there is a GRO listing for it. So I have now ordered it from the 1837 site. Estimated despatch date is 21 Feb. It will have taken me a month to get this particular cert. Just a tad frustrating!!
At least the one I did receive was for the correct person. Ho hum isn't genealogy fun?
It's arrived - that elusive death cert that Camden RO had no trace of. It was from GRO est despatch date 21/2/05. Postmarked 22/2/05 and rec'd in the post yesterday 23/2/05. At least the GRO is getting close to its (own) timetable at last.
Sooo....The person the cert relates to died in St Pancras Infirmary. So why couldn't Camden RO find the entry? Did hospitals and institutions only send their records to the GRO and not the local office? Do you think this is something I need to be aware of for future searches?
Interesting eh?
-
Sue,
CAmden probably weren't looking to hard because all the records the GRO have are transcribed or in some cases photocopies of those held at the local registry office. It is possible I suppose that the register also went missing when St Pancras became a part of the Camden Registration district and all was transferred.
Rob
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If anyones needs certificates of birth, death or marriage from the Tees Valley area, order them from www.middlesbrough-indexes.co.uk They offer a free service to check you have the correct certificate before you order (although some districts (esp Hartlepool, they rest are really quick) take a few days to confirm details) and I received my certificates within 4 days of ordering them. As for ordering direct form the GRO, I ordered 1 cert 3 weeks ago and haven't heard anything yet and another one last night before I found this page saying how long it takes - I'm dying from suspense already.
Good luck with all the searching everyone.
Legs.
xxxxx
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Perhaps some Rootschat whizz could compile a 'league table' showing the current speed at which local Records Offices are responding to queries? :)
(Nothing from Harrogate yet)...
Paul
-
I also thought that a record of register office performance would be a good idea but the obvious way would be to use a table in Word or Excel but the Rootschat controller won't let us attach these sort of documents. Why???
Roger
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Just to let all those still waiting for certs from the GRO, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I ordered two certs on the 22nd of January. One eventually arrived two weeks ago, with the slip saying they were still sending multiple orders out individually. On Monday I rang them (and was only tenth in the queue) and the second arrived today.
Phil
PS One was a photocopy of the original, one was typewritten. I personally prefer the copy of the original.
-
Further to Forester's meesage
I've just had good news from GRO. I ordered a certificate on 14 February which they said was due to arrive 28 February. It has just arrived - two days early. Perhaps the craze is coming to an end!!!!!! Kerryb :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
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I ordered a birth cert from GRO on Sun 13 Feb they gave me an estimated dispatch date of 28th Feb - it arrived yesterday the 26th.
I also ordered a birth cert from Northern Ireland on the 11th Feb and that arrived on the 22nd.
I`ve got a couple more `in the system` but, on the whole, my experience has been ok - although at the time I`m bursting to know the details and any wait at all is agonising. Still I suppose it adds to the fun!
-
Leeds Register Office have come up trumps again! Two certificates ordered on Monday were delivered on Friday.
Jill
-
:D :D :D
Looks like Leeds is another excellent Register Office Jill - ??? ??? ??? ??? makes you wonder why they can't all be as efficient.
:D :D :D
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Worcester office in Forgeate street is fantastic!
Sent off for a birth certificate on Monday - certificate arrived Wednesday. Even more impressive as they had to check through 4 years worth of births as I wasnt sure I had the right details!
Sent off for a Marriage and a birth certificate this Thursday - arrived Saturday!
Very impressed :)
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Looks like Leeds is another excellent Register Office Jill - ??? ??? ??? ??? makes you wonder why they can't all be as efficient.
Leeds is brilliant Mobo - and if the details you give don't match they ring and discuss it with you if necessary rather than sending an incorrect certificate.
Jill
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Wow Leeds was slow. I normally have them back by return post especially as I put in SAE
Rob
-
I just ordered a couple from GRO and they made it in two weeks to the US from the time of ordering. I have to say it took less time than one I ordered in New York for a city ion New York. ;D
-
I would like to order a marriage cert for my GGparents who married at St Olave in london . ( my first cert ::))
I tried to find the LRO for this district in genuki but could only find bermondsey and camberwell?
Could someone suggest where I should order this certificate . The BMD reference is 1D 456 Dec 1887 Edwin Charles Earley /Catherine Theresa Kangiesser. St Olave
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I googled for St.Olave Registration District
found this link
http://www.fhsc.org.uk/genuki/REG/lnd.htm
there are two districts in London for St.Olave, St Olave Bermondsey and St Olave Camberwell.
St.Olave Bermondsey was created 1902 - so probably not this one as your date is 1887.
I would try St.Olave Southwark - Registers now in Southwark District
Southwark District (this from Genuki) 34 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8QA.
Tel: 0207 525 7670.
or you could just order on line from the GRO with the reference you have.
Good luck Newbie
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Thankyou newbie but actually I'm sure neither of these are correct . As I said that was all I could find as well but thanks for the phon number I'll call
In the gen uki index there are 3 St Olaves listed but when you look at the page link only 2 options are found neither of which are the correct ones. Very confusing.
The most important question was which readers would recommend the GRO or LRO for London Which are likely to be the quicker I wonder ?
-
Still waiting for my 19 Feb Northallerton order... wish they'd lived in Leeds!
-
Have any Rootschatters found offices that accept payment over the phone by credit card? I suppose this could shave a day or so off the process.
-
Hi Paul
Yes Camden RO accepted order over the 'phone and took cr card details but Bath wanted their application form posted in from their website for BATH BMD. However, speed didn't enter into the transaction in either case.
Patience needed either way :(
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Hi Paul
My best result was ordering from the Hastings RO by telephone and paying by credit card on a Friday and getting the certificate next day on Saturday morning. I had to pay a 50 pence handling charge however.
Regards
Roger
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Today's post brings the cert from Bath RO. This was posted on Fri 18th Feb so they wouldn't receive it until the Mon. and obviously it was posted to me in my SAE on Friday 25th so that's 5 working days turnaround for Bath RO. Not as quick as some but not too bad.
-
I ordered a death and marriage certificate from Auckland,NZ, by post, on the 12 Feb and they arrived this morning in the post. Brilliant! ;D
Still waiting for a Marriage cert from the GRO from Feb 2nd! not so brilliant! :'(
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Just received two certificates i ordered on the 4th Feb. Expected dispatch date was the 18th Feb. Posted 21st Feb. Arrived here in Australia on the 28th Feb.
Expected to wait longer after reading this thread.
Jaki
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I ordered two certificates from my local office on the 11.2.05 - still waiting. Up to now I've received them a week later
Will have to go lunchtime and see whats happened to them
Willow x
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Guess what - they were waiting for me when I got home - red face lol
Willow x
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ordered another certificate from Birmingham on SUNDAY - it arrived today!!!!!
Sue
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:D :D :D
Received a death certificate from Blackburn today, ordered on the 25th so that's 3 days excluding the week-end - magic or what ??
:D :D :D
-
Received a birth cert from Ripon yesterday, requested by post on 19 Feb.
Received two marriages from the GRO today, requested via website on 17 Feb.
-
I think this has to be a record.
I posted a request for a marriage certificate to Oldham Register Office on Thursday just before lunchtime. It arrived in the post this morning.
Can anyone beat that?
By contrast I am still waiting for a certificate from GRO Southport requested 15 February. My bank account was deducted on the 18th. Not very impressed.
dinkey
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I,ve recently had dealings with the Chelmsford office and they were great.
But I,ve been waiting over 2 weeks now for certificates from the Beverley office in Yorkshire. When I dealt with them last year they were very quick so I,m not sure what has happened. Could it just be due to a rise in the popularity of the hobby?
Sue :(
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I can beat that!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Ordered a certificate from Hastings Registry Office on a Friday by telephone paid by credit card and got it in the post on Saturday morning.
You could of course go in person and order and collect your certificate on the same day. But that wood be cheating ;D ;D ;D ;D
Regards
Roger
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Ahhh but Hastings isn't a busy office and as far more staff than many other offices I know. Three receptionists I believe. As for collecting certs many local offices now say even for personal collections you could wait up to 2 weeks depending on how busy they are.
As for the GRO they are quoted as saying in this months ancestor magazine that they are now back to normal after the huge increase they saw after the who do they think they are program an increase of 33,000 requests for certs up from 115,000 in October and an extra 19,000 in November. The SOG also say that after this program their phone lines and library was the busiest they have ever been so I don't think the GRO have done as bad as we were thinking of late
Rob
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>:( >:( >:
Because I was feeling lazy one day, and against my better judement, I ordered two certificates for the Rutland area, online from the PRO. One arrived on Monday, the other today.
I could barely remember what I wanted them for, so checked back only to find I ordered them over three weeks ago !!
Bah !!
>:( >:(
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Hi,
The last lot of certificates that I ordered from the register office in Beverley in Yorkshire took a month to arrive.
What was odd though was that I had posted off two lots of requests a week apart and they both arrived on the same day.
Previous requests have always been dealt with quickly.
Latest lot posted a week ago and I'm still waiting.
Sue :(
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I ordered a death certificate from the G.R.O. on 8th March and was told it would be despatched on the 18th. On the 23rd March I received an email telling me it was the wrong reference and they would not be sending the certificate. For this they charged me £3.
Jill
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I pay £8.50 to the GRO for the certificates I order, always delivered within a couple of weeks; so what do you get for £7? Lilac.
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I ordered a death certificate from the G.R.O. on 8th March and was told it would be despatched on the 18th. On the 23rd March I received an email telling me it was the wrong reference and they would not be sending the certificate. For this they charged me £3.
Jill
Jill I had one like that this week, they emailed and said they had looked through the indexes for that month and the entry did not exist, I wrote back and asked how it could possibly not exist when I had read the entry on 1837online.com. this morning I had an apology it was 3 pages on and they are sending me the certificate! I wonder if I will get to keep the £4 credit. I bet not!!!!
Kerryb
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Probably not Kerry - but won't it just make your day if you get the certificate AND the credit!!
Jill
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Yes and I can always dream! At the moment I will be glad to get the certificate, without it I can't get on. :'(
Kerryb
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I'm itching to get copies of certificates, but need to review my options - and am STILL confused after reading this thread. Can anyone help me answer these questions?
1. Is the PRO the same as the GRO? If not, how are they different?
2. If time is NOT a factor, is the GRO or the local registry office a better source for bmd certificates?
3. Will the information on a GRO certificate be the same as on a local registry certificate, or are certian details (addresses or professions of parents, say) left off one or the other?
4. I prefer copies of original documents, rather than often faulty transcriptions. Will the GRO give me the former all the time? Will a local registry sometimes give a transcript?
5. If I only have info on an event as found on freebmd, i.e.
Deaths Mar 1885: ENDSOR William, 64: W. Derby/8b/275 Ê
is it better to go through the GRO rather than ask the local registry to search for a death certificate from Jan-Mar 1885?
6. Does the location of an event (i.e. a big city, like Manchester, which could have thousands of certificates in a given quarter) affect my chances of having my desired certificate located by a local registry if all I have is the info from freebmd?
Thanks! IGS
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The GRO is the General Registry Office
http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/
The PRO is the Public Rercords Office - now the National Archives
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm
If you want a true copy of a Certificate then you can do this online, cost £7.00 and waiting time can be upto 4 weeks.
www.1837.online.com
- or -
if you don't mind a written or typed copy of a Certificate, this can be obtained from the Registry Office of the area in question. Again the cost is £7.00, but the waiting time can be a little as 2/3 days !!
:D ;D ;D
-
Is 1837online the ONLY place to get a "true" copy of a bmd certificate online or otherwise?
-
;D ;D ;D
Couldn't say - it's the one I, and many others use.
Go on be daring - send for one !!
;D ;D ;D
-
Hi IGS
You can order direct from the GRO website for £7 and they will send you a photocopy of the actual entry in the register - but as Mobo says, be prepared to be patient!
cheers
Paul
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Thanks - I checked and saw that 1837online simply links one to the GRO anyway.
I figure that if the information on a certificate from the GRO and a local registry is the same and the price is the same, but if the GRO certificate is copy of the original document, then I'd rather go with THAT - and try to be patient.
-
:o :o :o
PHEW !! I'M GLAD WE'VE SORTED THAT OUT THEN !!
:o :o :o
-
GRO performance in responding to certificate requests has improved markedly over the last month or so, IMO. Last lot I ordered was sent out and received within two weeks, which included delivery to Australia.
-
GRO performance in responding to certificate requests has improved markedly over the last month or so, IMO. Last lot I ordered was sent out and received within two weeks, which included delivery to Australia.
But have you noticed an Australia/UK letter takes 4 days. An Australia/Australia letter (excluding state capital to state capital) takes a minimum of 3 days. I can get a letter to UK faster than one to my father - who lives 500km from me.
-
;D ;D ;D
I think this must be a record !!
I ordered a Marriage Certificate from Blackburn Register Office on Wednesday, 6 April, and received it via my S.A.E., this morning Friday, 8th April !!
;D ;D ;D
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I've just waited patiently for three and a half weeks for a certificate to arrive from Southport, ordered on line via the freebmd website. Normally it takes a fortnight or even a week sometimes, but this time I believe they must have had trouble with the film, or whatever, because when it did arrive today they had copied it carefully by hand onto a slightly different-size certificate. So, no complaints from me so far, and I've been ordering certificates both at the FRC (usually takes less than a week), and on line for the last 3-4 years...
Keith
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i believe that they have speeded up the delivery times when ordered through the 1837 site. i ordered 4 last week & 3 of them arrived today, 4 days earlier than they said it should be. ordered somemore tonight & the delivery date is 18 april so only about 10 days to wait. i believe they have taken on about 80 additional staff who have now been trained, so this may explain the quicker turnaround.
Still 10 days is 10 days too long when youre desperatly awaiting the info to get back another generation, can see myself starting to stalk the postman again !!!!!
oh well better than the 6 weeks i was waiting a few months back.
sharren
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Hi
I ordered 5, from the GRO by internet, on the 18th of March and was given the dispatch date of April 1st. Four of them arrived here in Australia, on April 4th, all in seperate envelopes. However, I am still waiting for the fifth one.
I guess I have enough info. to keep me going for a while, I am just worried that the fifth one may have got lost. ???
Cheers
Wendy
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Hi all,
Yes l am tired of waiting l think mine's lost see my post in beginners( not received Certificate)posts here have also answers some of my questions, thanks all.
tarnee
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I think things are improving. I ordered 5 certs from the GRO on 29th Mar and got them in two lots on 4th and 6th of April ;D ;D
Debbie
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I go along with Mobo---Blackburn are spot on.Sent off n enquiry on Thurs 7th April and my reply,although disappointing,was received today Saturday 9th April.EXCELLENT service.
-
Still, at £7 a throw, all this extra revenue should allow them to buy a few temps in, wouldn't you think?
I'm glad the GRO took our advice :) ;) - according to a report in Your Family Tree magazine, they've taken on more staff and are on course to achieve the 4 day turnaround 'in April'.
Paul
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Paul, I confirm the wait is coming down! I ordered two certs on 9 April and received yesterday 15th - so is now down to 6 days. Definitely better than waiting a fortnight!!!!!
kerryb
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Ordered on the 9th April....received on the 15th..looks as though they are getting back on track.
Bryan
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Latest............ordered on 100405...........received on.....wait for it..........150405 :) :) :)
-
...........and I ordered one on the 12th and it arrived today, 16th!!
Jill
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Bodmin. Plymouth and Weymouth all sent back within 2 days. Plymouth sent photcopy of the original - brill.
Fizzy
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I ordered a dozen on the 5th and they arrived in the US on the 16th - not bad - and the GRO site is extremely easy to order from - almost TOO easy for my bank account.
But I'm having slight buyer's remorse over not going with the local office - the Manchester Register Office in particular - as I'd like to see my ancestors' signatures - that is, the ones that could sign more than an X.
Has anyone ordered from the Manchester office and do they make copies of the original documents or do they just type up a transcription?
-
After waiting 3 weeks for a reply from the register office in Beverley E Yorks and then only to be informed that they could not find the births I had requested, I decided to order on line from the GRO.
The certificates arrived in 5 days and with no writing of cheques or saes to enclose I know where I'll be sending to in the future.
Sue
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I had posted earlier that I had only recieved four of the five certificates I had ordered, well thought I would let everyone know that i recieved the fifth a week after the others.
As long as it came, thats all i'm worried about.
Cheers
wendy
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Now ... if extra staff at the GRO can get the waiting time back down to 4 or 5 days ...
What would a few more extra staff allow them to achieve?
Surely they could aim for a 'same day or next day' turnaround?
Paul
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Paul - steady on!!!!! :) :) :) :)
kerryb
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Well, Kerry, its got to be worth asking the question - as they say in the north east "Shy boys get nowt"! :)
Paul
-
Paul
I'm sure they have lots of saying about shy boys up north! but I wouldn't know, I've not met many shy boys down south!
;D ;D ;D
kerryb
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l posted early on that one of the two certs l ordered had not arrived, l sent an email but got no reply but over a week later had cert arrive, the date on the cert was 2 days after email was sent. Had it been overlooked and had to correct their mistake (who knows) but at least l have it. Bye the way todate l have still not received any mail from them.
tarnee
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Looks as though they may have goofed there.
Only Allah is perfect as they say ::)
-
lot of good posts here.
Do you think it would be useful to do a table of some sorts eg:
Office Date ordered Date received Photocopy or hand written Helpfulness of staff
Tamworth Can’t remember But +2 days! Photocopy very
Birmingham Can’t remember But +2 days! Photocopy very
Caerphilly Can’t remember But +2 days! handwritten extremely
etc etc
that way we could all refer to it and see what the best option is for each cert/office.
Berlin Bob - do you think it could be done a bit like the SIT?
Sue
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Berlin Bob - do you think it could be done a bit like the SIT?
in theory, Yes !
in practice - is it sensible ??
Basically you are asking for a list of ROs with service details included (Date ordered, Date received, Photocopy or hand written, Helpfulness of staff)
Lists of ROs are available elsewhere, with addresses, opening times, telephone and e-mail.
So, how constant are the service details ?
Good service one week, then BBC does a repeat of "Who do you think you are" and the service is slow for several weeks, then good service, then summer holidays, then .... etc.
It would be easy enough (relatively speaking) to make such a list but who would maintain it and how ??
-
I think Bob's right, Sue - I thought originally this was a good idea but service standards do change, and keepingt he list up to date could be a nightmare (I tried to keep a tally of Censuswhacks but it almost became a full time job!) :)
-
I was thinking more along the lines of something that got added to and just grew complete with history. Then you could search on that office and see what people thought of it. Not a single entry that needed updating for each office.
does that make sense?
-
I think I know what you mean - but the only way I was able to do this on the Censuswhack thread was to cut and paste the names people had submitted, and it took quite a while!
It might be worth posting a new thread called 'Register Office Responses' and being very explicit that you wanted only the 5 bits of information listed, with your example.
Always worth a try!
cheers
Paul
-
is there anyway of say putting an excel spreadsheet (or other) on the site so peeps could open it and add their bit in there?
-
Ordered a certificate online from Southport on Monday night, 18th April: it arrived in this morning's post, Thursday 21st April, even though the advice was that it wouldn't be sent out until 25th April.
This is quicker than going down to the FRC and ordering it in person...
Keith
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So what's so special about you Keith??? :)
I also ordered on Monday AFTERNOON, posties just been but my certs have not arrived!!!
Like yours though scheduled for despatch on the 25th.
Sue :D
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Hi, Suey,
Totally random, I expect. If it makes you feel better, I was a bit economical with the truth here, as I actually ordered TWO certificates on Monday evening. One has come, the other hasn't yet. I just got a bit carried away with the first one arriving with the speed of light, that's all...
Hope you get yours soon.
Best wishes,
keith
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Takes a couple of weeks to South Australia. No complaints here.
-
No I'm not complaining, I'm sure mine will arrive in the next couple of days. Maybe even tomorrow?
Sue :)
-
And the only reason I didn't get the second certificate I ordered within 3 days like the other one - I put in the wrong quarter and have had to re-order it. My mistake, entirely...
Keith
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Hi, just like to say i ordered 2 marraige certs online Tuesday the 19th April......dispatch date given was the 26th......they both arrived this morning (23rd).........to say im shocked is an understatement. So hopefully it'll stay like this and not take weeks for them to arrive.
CAZ
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I ordered two certificates on Wed from Gloucester. got them both on Thu. sent off for a Marr certificate same day I got a phone call on Fri to confirm what church and the young lady was going to send it the same day. also got the details from her for a birth via the phone.
so I've got no complaints with Gloucester Reg Off
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hi all
I ordered two marriage certs on-line on thurs (21st) and they arrived this morn Sat, nearly fell over backwards when I saw them on the mat ;D
Mick
-
:D :D
Things are definitely looking up - I ordered three certificates online on the 19th and they all arrived yesteray morning the 23rd.
Howz about that then ??
:o :o :o
-
Is 1837online the ONLY online place to see the COMPLETE bmd indexes? I love freebmd, but I've temporarily exhausted their indexes (I'm looking for rare ENDSORs in Chorlton on Medlock, 1837 to about 1880). I'm afraid that my impatience for more data will lead me to spend a fortune trawling quarter by quarter on 1837online, trying to fill in the gaps.
Is there an alternative?
Should I just be patient and wait for freebmd to add more data?
Should I just suck it up and pay 1837online?
-
The GRO seem to be back to normal after the telly cert ordering bonanza. 3 certs ordered (2 online, 1 phone) all arrived within 5 working days. Not bad ...
IGS - guess it's up to your patience level ;D but 1837 is very reasonable methinks. I live in London and it would cost me a fiver in tube fares to get there. With that fiver you get about 55 BDM views, so well worth it in my books. Good luck.
Jonathan
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IGS,
Many main city libraries hold the full index on fiche, I've used it in Edinburgh but it takes bloomin ages.
I actually found it more cost and time effective to get a flight & tube to the FRC for the day and get all my census searches done as well.
Pam
;D
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I'm in the US so my access is that much more limited - but maybe one of the libraries over here has the index fiches.
Or I'll bite the bullet, upgrade my computer's operating system so I can look at the 1837online indexes - and pray for a stronger US dollar so it won't cost too much!
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IGS,
The other place you should find English bdm fiches is at your local LDS centre. I live in a provincial city in Australia, and our LDS has extensive (though not complete) indexes. Yes, searching them is laborious and the earlier years are hard to read. But I have had good finds just by sticking at the task.
I've had one subscription to 1837online, but unless you are pretty sure about the year/years you are looking for, it gets quite expensive very quickly. I doubt that I'll be subscribing to them again. For me, it's back to the good ol' LDS!
Also, if you DO find someone and you want to have a look at the parish records, the LDS has filmed many of them and you can order them in for $Aus 5 a film - don't know what it would be in the US.
Happy hunting!
MarieC
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I received certs from Southport last week within three working days.
Fizzy
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I haven't read every message in this thread but think that the following may be something of a record!
I applied online for a Birth Certificate on Wednesday 27th April at 14.05. I included checking references.
I received the Certificate this morning, Friday 29th April, at 9.30!
I'm very impressed.
Best wishes
Lyn
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That's REALLY encouraging!
I suspect that now they have cleared the backlog that had built up, they are able (with the extra staff) to provide a much faster service than they had been able to before the storm hit them.
Who says more resources don't mean better services?
Paul
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Things are definitely getting better! I ordered a birth certificate at 14.39 hrs. on 26th April with a despatch date given as 3rd May and it dropped through the letterbox today! Pity it doesn't give a father's name!!!
Jill
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:D :D
Well - it looks like the PRO online has finlly 'got it's act together' which is great.
;D ;D ;D
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How about this then,
Ordered a death certificate online late on Wednesday night 14th December - about 11 p.m. (Standard £7 rate, of course)
Received it this morning by first post, 10 a.m., Friday 16th December. Thought with the Xmas rush and so on, I'd be getting it in the New Year - they predicted that it would be sent on 21st December. Well done, ONS!
Keith
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Is 1837online the ONLY online place to see the COMPLETE bmd indexes? I love freebmd, but I've temporarily exhausted their indexes (I'm looking for rare ENDSORs in Chorlton on Medlock, 1837 to about 1880). I'm afraid that my impatience for more data will lead me to spend a fortune trawling quarter by quarter on 1837online, trying to fill in the gaps.
Is there an alternative?
Should I just be patient and wait for freebmd to add more data?
Should I just suck it up and pay 1837online?
Hi IGS
FreeBMD does also have most of the scanned indexes for the periods that haven't been transcribed yet, births up to 1911, deaths up to 1910, marriages up to 1915. To access them, click "View Images" on the FreeBMD homepage. I have found quite a number of records by simply trawling through them. It takes a long time as the pages themselves aren't indexed apart from by quarter and sometimes by first letter of surname, however it is FREE to look and download these pages.
Family Relatives also has a fully transribed index of 1866 - 1920 - it's on PPV but the index makes it much quicker to track down your relative than with 1837online and the cost is comparable.
I haven't used 1837online at all since finding these - though FreeBMD don't yet include any years after those above. There are also some annoying gaps where FreeBMD doesn't have the scan yet, but you find those out as you go through. You could certainly cut down the number of times you have to use the PPV sites.
Cheers
Veron :)
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Veron,
I never knew that Free BMD has scans of unindexed BMD's will have a try of that later, thanks for the tip.
Newbie :)
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Veron could you please post the url for the FreeBMD index? :)
dollylee
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Yes sorry - don't know what happened there! Here it is:
http://images.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/choose.pl
Veron :)
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Having posted it, I tried it and it doesn't work :-\
Don't know why but go to
http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/
and click on View Images, then follow the onscreen instructions.
That always works for me!
Veron
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This is really odd, whenever I try to post the title of the link it's coming up with rubbish. >:( The homepage link works though. Go there and read the page, the link is to the right of the search button.
Veron
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Hi Veron, DollyLee,
try this link:
http://images.freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/choose.pl
It works for me, hopefully for you, too !
Bob
CORRECTION: It works for me, when I call it from my link list, but not when I call it from RootsChat >:(
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That's what happened to me too Bob....... :-\ The link works fine from everywhere but here! Annoying but there you are!
Veron
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ummm, you two broke it! :o
Newbie
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Veron,
I have just been trying to do what you suggested, I'm Lookng for Mallard b 1893, to do that, I click on .s, to the right of Search, then keep selecting from the "Submit Query", but then eventually I arrive at 1893, view images A-Z then I had to guess from the list of numbers where my image should be, is that right? or is there a quicker way, took me ages to find the right scan ::)
Newbie
why when I typed"view images" does it alter it to .s???
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Yes Newbie, that is the right way :-\ .... but I found that's once you've done it for one quarter, if you make a note of which page contained the names you were looking for, then pick something similar next time round - it gets you a lot nearer. The first one always takes much longer. It helps to be doing something else at the same time! ;)
And I don't know why "view images" turns to .s either, that's what I was trying to do before.
Veron
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Veron, okay, thanks for the explanation, I should have written the number down then! ;D
I think the text is converted because of its content must be a command instruction or something, but putting it in the inverted commas, fooled it!
Newbie
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For those with Ancestry subscriptions they are now beta testing the whole of the BMD indexes with a search engine however the down side is you have to know the year. I don't see how that is going to help people when its a birth year they search for but hey ho its something new
Rob
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I'm sure the turnaround target used to be 4 working days for despatch of certificates-the last lot I got now says 6 working days. If you have more than one to order, do them separately. The latest message is that, due to demand, they will send out the first cert requested on multiple requests (presumably that meets some service standard) but others will be to follow
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How did you manage 6 days? I ordered some certs today and I've got 7 working days.
Hmmmm that's not fair!!!!! :-\ :-\
Kerry
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i ordered a certificate from Gateshead on Thursday by telephone. Despite being told it would be sent out second class, it arrived Friday, with no charge for postage!!!
fantastic service.
Sue
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How did you manage 6 days? I ordered some certs today and I've got 7 working days.
Hmmmm that's not fair!!!!! :-\ :-\
Kerry
;D ;D its a good way of ensuring you meet the performance targets-just keep lowering them! Must propose that to my boss
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I suppose it's that TV programme again, that we have to thank for longer waiting times. No I am not complaining, I think it's great that it has such an influence on people and they all start delving into their family histories.
Kerry