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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: somersetlass on Friday 28 February 14 08:58 GMT (UK)

Title: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: somersetlass on Friday 28 February 14 08:58 GMT (UK)
Can anyone offer an opinion/theory please?

Whilst researching for a friend I came across a birth registered in 1911 Q4 twice, same names, same mother's maiden name, the only small difference in the reference are the page numbers.  One was 37 and the other 2.  (Page entry 37 listed first)
Now I know this baby was born in August so can understand why the registration appears in Q4.
Could this be linked to the fact the mother was going through a divorce and had this baby with her new partner?  Maybe the first registration was incorrect in some way?

Hoping someone can shed some light for me.
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: stanmapstone on Friday 28 February 14 09:19 GMT (UK)
It will be indexed twice, not necessarily registered twice, have you looked at the original page? it could be the transcribers could not be sure of the page number. You had 42 days to register a birth, so a late August birth could easily be registered in the beginning of October.

Stan
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: somersetlass on Friday 28 February 14 11:07 GMT (UK)
The original page viewed on line is the printed list published by GRO so I guess the transcription of that originated from what was sent in from the district concerned (whether that was typed or written?) so maybe "unsure of page number" could be the answer.  I hadn't thought it just could be "indexed twice, not necessarily registered twice".
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: stanmapstone on Friday 28 February 14 11:29 GMT (UK)
The GRO volume and page number has nothing to do with the the Register Office that sent in the quarterly return. These are added after indexing by the GRO. Can you give the details as it is  easier to give an opinion if the original entries can be seen.

Stan
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: somersetlass on Friday 28 February 14 11:50 GMT (UK)
Stan

These are the two entries:

Q4 1911
STARLING Edwin G  (mother's maiden name PLASTER)  Southampton, 2C, 37
STARLING Edwin G  (mother's maiden name PLASTER)  Southampton, 2C, 2

See what you think ....

Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: stanmapstone on Friday 28 February 14 12:07 GMT (UK)
I think it is the same birth, and there were two returns from the Southampton Registrar for it. It could be that the birth was registered twice by different people. You would need to see the certificates to see if the informant was different on each one.

Stan
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: somersetlass on Friday 28 February 14 12:50 GMT (UK)
Thank you Stan for your input, much appreciated, it's given me a different slant on this anomaly.  SS
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: stanmapstone on Friday 28 February 14 12:53 GMT (UK)
I have corrected my post to say I think it is the same birth, and there were two returns from the Southampton Registrar for it. It could be that the birth was registered twice by different people. You would need to see the certificates to see if the informant was different on each one.

Stan
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: somersetlass on Friday 28 February 14 12:57 GMT (UK)
Thanks again, will leave my friend to decide whether to get both certificates!  SS
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: Galium on Friday 28 February 14 13:20 GMT (UK)
Apologies if this info is not new to you.  The birth is also registered indexed* with the surname Sargent (ref. 2c  37).  The mother appears to have been married previously, and the parents not married until 1914.
There is a Sargent - Plaster marriage in Bristol in 1907
and a Starling - Sargent marriage in Devonport 1914. The bride's first name is the same each time

So it looks as if one registration (ref.2c 2) was given as if the parents were a married couple, and the second includes the mother's former married name.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C8005042

*sorry, should have said indexed in the first place. There will only be one registration for that reference, but indexed twice to show the two different names.
Title: Re: Same two birth registrations in one quarter - why?
Post by: somersetlass on Friday 28 February 14 13:49 GMT (UK)
Ah that all makes sense now & you are right.  I did know the mother was going through a divorce at the time & I didn't think to look if the birth was also registered under Sargent.  Thanks Galium.