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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Nick_Ips on Thursday 06 July 23 10:17 BST (UK)

Title: GRO digital images
Post by: Nick_Ips on Thursday 06 July 23 10:17 BST (UK)
Not sure if this is new, or if I've just missed it before, but the GRO online search results page is now showing an option of paying £2.50 for a digital image "available to view once payment is complete".

Is this the long-awaited and much anticipated cheap and fast service as an alternative to paper/digital certificates?


(http://)
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Nick_Ips on Thursday 06 July 23 10:34 BST (UK)

Link to the FAQ document -

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/images/CGOVPublicBeta.pdf
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: jonwarrn on Thursday 06 July 23 10:47 BST (UK)
Thank you.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Bookbox on Thursday 06 July 23 10:53 BST (UK)
Note the date limits ...

• Birth entries from 1837 up to 100 years ago
• Death entries from 1837 to 1887


Because the page-headers are not included, you will probably want to note the registration district in the file-name when you download and save an image.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Deirdre784 on Thursday 06 July 23 11:27 BST (UK)
That is brilliant news. I have all the BMDs for my primary line and a few others of particular interest, but will be getting others now (siblings etc).

Updated: that was easy, though remembering to record the district might be a pain.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: phil57 on Thursday 06 July 23 11:48 BST (UK)
It wasn't the case 5 days ago, because I just ordered a batch of PDF copies :(

Excellent news though!
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Biggles50 on Thursday 06 July 23 11:50 BST (UK)
It does seem hit and miss as to what is available.

My last few have been Digital, all duly downloaded, jpg saved and printed.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: groom on Thursday 06 July 23 11:57 BST (UK)
I've just downloaded a couple and it really is instant. The quality isn't as good as a certificate or a pdf, but absolutely fine for information as it gives the same details.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: jc26red on Thursday 06 July 23 12:10 BST (UK)
Just noticed it, came on here and Nick has beaten me to it  ;D

happy hunting
Jenny
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: cockney rebel on Thursday 06 July 23 12:17 BST (UK)
It wasn't the case 5 days ago, because I just ordered a batch of PDF copies :(

Excellent news though!
Ditto! And now the GRO keeps rejecting my new order! Are they on system overload already?!
Rebel
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Deirdre784 on Thursday 06 July 23 12:18 BST (UK)
It wasn't the case 5 days ago, because I just ordered a batch of PDF copies :(

Excellent news though!
Ditto! And now the GRO keeps rejecting my new order! Are they on system overload already?!
Rebel

Ordered one 5 mins ago and it was in ‘my orders’ immediately
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 06 July 23 12:19 BST (UK)
Thanks for info that it was now available for all, Nick :)

Previous thread on the trial

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=868875.0


Gadget
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: AntonyMMM on Thursday 06 July 23 12:32 BST (UK)
I've been using the digital image system since the first restricted testing  - I think it was almost 2 years ago that we had the first meeting with GRO.

It works really well, but as noted the test data is limited as far as deaths is concerned, hopefully that may change soon.

The image you get is exactly the same as you would get on a certificate, or on a pdf (minus the headings), but the only issue that there has been is with image alignment....

Essentially, when a pdf is produced there is a human operator who calls up the digital image and then makes sure it is trimmed and aligned correctly before making it available to see - with the instant download option that human operator isn't there, so during the trial period I have found that quite a few images are slanted, or misaligned enough to make some of the information on the entry unreadable or missing entirely.  This has been an issue in probably 5%-10% of the entries I have accessed.

But, when it has happened I have submitted a simple image quality report ( which we were strongly encouraged to do during the initial trial) and GRO have refunded the £2.50 charge within a couple of days.

The only real limitation, other than the years available, is that marginal notes, where there is one, are not shown and they can sometimes be very important to see..
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Thursday 06 July 23 14:04 BST (UK)
Excellent news. Getting virtually instant access to birth records up to 1922 and deaths to 1887. My bank balance will be depleting today I think.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: DianaCanada on Thursday 06 July 23 15:55 BST (UK)
Fantastic news!  Thanks for sharing it.  Was looking at the site this a.m. but didn't bother to read the new notice, so happy to see that.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Thursday 06 July 23 16:28 BST (UK)
I can stock up more on birth certs for ancestor siblings now.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Friday 07 July 23 13:18 BST (UK)
I have bought 5 already now. One born 11 June 1848, registered 29 July 1848 and the registrar was a distant cousin of the baby through the mother. Carrington Wilson.

I have bought 3 death certs from 1841 and 1842. My bank balance will be depleting a bit now.  ;D
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Sandrafamilytree on Friday 07 July 23 14:17 BST (UK)
Thank you for posting this information.

I've now bought a few records and have been thrilled to see that my hunches about several relatives were right.

I have some relatives with very common names and I was hesitant about buying too many of the more expensive versions of these records. The cost of £2.50 means I can be a bit more free and easy with the orders!

I'm thinking that maybe I should add some of my findings as postems to entries on FreeBMD, to help provide clues to others researching the same people.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: newbie on Friday 07 July 23 17:55 BST (UK)
Hi Thats great news!!
Unfortunately I just tried and it was good, until I downloaded the image.
The image is a bit truncated and the lower half of the information is missing.  i.e. no Mothers Maiden Name, just her forenames.
How do I report this?
I've completed the survey but can't find the link to report this only an error in the indexes.
Thanks, Newbie
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Friday 07 July 23 18:11 BST (UK)
I had that for an 1842 death, the informant appears to have been a neighbour, but whether it says "present at the death" or her relationship to her is cut off as the image is a bit wonky. Other than that all other certs are fine.

As they are quite cheap, I can perhaps buy more deaths for possible candidates for relatives or ancestors.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: newbie on Friday 07 July 23 18:27 BST (UK)
Thank you , I’m sure it’s the mother but you never know ! 
Newbie
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: AntonyMMM on Friday 07 July 23 18:28 BST (UK)
Hi Thats great news!!
Unfortunately I just tried and it was good, until I downloaded the image.
The image is a bit truncated and the lower half of the information is missing.  i.e. no Mothers Maiden Name, just her forenames.
How do I report this?
I've completed the survey but can't find the link to report this only an error in the indexes.
Thanks, Newbie

Go to "contact us" link on the right of the page and you will find a link in the first paragraph to an online message form
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: newbie on Friday 07 July 23 18:30 BST (UK)
Thank you wasn’t sure if that was right place or if there was a specific form
thanks
Newbie
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Saturday 08 July 23 13:59 BST (UK)
It is a massive step forward for genealogists.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: newbie on Saturday 08 July 23 14:08 BST (UK)
It definitely is !  Will be ordering quite a lot I’m sure. 
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Saturday 08 July 23 16:19 BST (UK)
In the past when I have ordered from the GRO I got a typed copy of a BMD cert a few times, I did for an 1851 death cert and an 1845 birth cert.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Gadget on Sunday 09 July 23 13:32 BST (UK)
Does anyone know when they will be extending the available death cert dates? 
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: AntonyMMM on Sunday 09 July 23 14:44 BST (UK)
The digitisation of deaths is done up to the  1950s  so thete is plenty of scope to extend  but who knows when ( or if) it will happen....

This is a test system  so I dont expect anything will change for a while yet
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Gadget on Sunday 09 July 23 15:09 BST (UK)
I was referring to this post by Bookbox

Note the date limits ...

• Birth entries from 1837 up to 100 years ago
• Death entries from 1837 to 1887


Because the page-headers are not included, you will probably want to note the registration district in the file-name when you download and save an image.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Gadget on Sunday 09 July 23 15:12 BST (UK)
I was looking for deaths in the 1909-13 period and it just offers pdfs or full certs.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Sunday 09 July 23 20:17 BST (UK)
In time they will hopefully start to do the same for marriages. I am very grateful for what they have released so far in regards to births and deaths. My collection of ancestor siblings birth certs has risen, plus death certs of ancestors and spouses of any ones who were wed more than once.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Jon_ni on Sunday 09 July 23 20:28 BST (UK)
Q15. When will I be able to see other records (e.g. historic marriages) and more modern records in this format (or PDF)?
There are no plans to release these records at this time.

Q22. There is information missing from my image. Can I get the information?
This is a self-service product with no manual intervention. We are unable to manipulate the image you receive as part of this service. Complete this online form, for investigation into potential reimbursement for your digital image. The information can only be obtained by ordering a certificate or PDF as these can be manipulated to include the missing information.

from the link posted by Nick
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/images/CGOVPublicBeta.pdf
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Gadget on Sunday 09 July 23 20:33 BST (UK)
I've already bought most of the certs years ago but wanted to explore a story that my father told about his brothers who were triplets. I was hoping to get the cheaper ones as I feel guilty spending extra money on these when people  are having to use food banks,
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: carol80 on Monday 10 July 23 06:25 BST (UK)
I am in New Zealand and brought 2 certificates last Friday. Thought it might take about 10mins to process but only took a few seconds.
Can not wait for my new debit card to arrive. I know where to test-drive it  ;D
Carol
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Monday 10 July 23 14:45 BST (UK)
I am also checking any ancestor or siblings births and deaths that took place in 1837, and some died or were born in the first half of 1837 and some in the 2nd half so it will break even, although I hoped one ancestor died after 1 July 1837 but I double checked their burial, it was April 1837.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: newbie on Monday 10 July 23 14:54 BST (UK)

Oh doh!   
I have just found the missing information -
I clicked on my orders, entered the COL ref. etc.  and up popped typed form giving all the details that would have appeared including the mothers maiden name !  Solved.
Thank you for all the help though.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Josephine on Tuesday 11 July 23 12:03 BST (UK)
Thanks for the tips; I'm having a blast with this!
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Sandrafamilytree on Tuesday 11 July 23 13:59 BST (UK)
I've bought quite a few records since this facility was made available and I'm finding the information on 'informants' really useful.

For example, I always had a hunch that my ancestor moved North when three of her sons dispersed to other parts of the country, rather than remaining in Norfolk. So I now think that was correct, as I've found what is almost certainly my relative in Hartlepool, with a very likely 'informant.'

Quite a few of my relatives have common names and I was holding off ordering records at the higher price, as I was fearful I'd end up with too many 'misses', but this is making research a lot more affordable.

Really hope they make later deaths available too.

Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Tuesday 11 July 23 14:42 BST (UK)
The relationship status to informants "present at the death" is hit and miss as to how they related to the deceased, although I often found they were a relative outside a parent or child registering a parent's death etc, but often they were a neighbour if the ancestor died at home. One died as a baby in 1839 and the informant (which I know was the gran through other documents) was his grandmother but relationship was not given on the cert.

Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: farmeroman on Wednesday 19 July 23 13:01 BST (UK)
It's certainly a much cheaper option. I do like to have them in the full certificate format though, so I've been experimenting inserting them into a blank template and adding the text as on a normal certificate.

The results are promising, but the only blank template I managed to find online was low resolution and somewhat blurry.

Has anyone else tried this and found a high-res template?
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: jc26red on Wednesday 19 July 23 13:22 BST (UK)
It's certainly a much cheaper option. I do like to have them in the full certificate format though, so I've been experimenting inserting them into a blank template and adding the text as on a normal certificate.

The results are promising, but the only blank template I managed to find online was low resolution and somewhat blurry.

Has anyone else tried this and found a high-res template?

If you are able to use one of the numerous photo editing apps then I would suggest making your own template by scanning a certificate you have already received, deleting out the details and date you received it from the gro. “Save as” a a blank template. Repeat for each birth, death and marriage templates.

I might just try it too  ;D

I should add… these should only be used for your own private research purposes otherwise we could get into trouble.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: farmeroman on Wednesday 19 July 23 14:17 BST (UK)
It's certainly a much cheaper option. I do like to have them in the full certificate format though, so I've been experimenting inserting them into a blank template and adding the text as on a normal certificate.

The results are promising, but the only blank template I managed to find online was low resolution and somewhat blurry.

Has anyone else tried this and found a high-res template?

If you are able to use one of the numerous photo editing apps then I would suggest making your own template by scanning a certificate you have already received, deleting out the details and date you received it from the gro. “Save as” a a blank template. Repeat for each birth, death and marriage templates.

I might just try it too  ;D

I should add… these should only be used for your own private research purposes otherwise we could get into trouble.

Yes, I should have mentioned that these are for "personal use only" and should not be shared online.

I have messed around with editing software, but haven't got a good result yet so I was hoping for a lazy online solution. FWIW I use Infinity Designer for picture editing, primarily for annotating old maps, adding polygons, etc, but I'm not that experienced with it yet.

I must admit that I'm pretty pleased with the one that I have done so far with the blurred template; it looks so much better than the B&W scrap downloaded from the GRO, especially with the yellowish background colour I applied (RGB 250/244/230 seems a pretty good match to the original template). I also added the Application number, Registration District, year and county to the header.

Edit: Getting the hang of Infinity Designer now. Almost there...

Edit: Done. I've now got a perfect template and can insert the B&W GRO scrap with the correct colour into the template and add the text in a few minutes. Looks as good as a GRO original. Really pleased with the result.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Deirdre784 on Wednesday 19 July 23 16:39 BST (UK)
Guess we all have different ways of doing things. Adding to the template sounds great, but I actually snip the details out from the certificate (an image not really), and add to the relevant section of my family tree book. The full certificates are rather large but the snipped bit fits perfectly.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: farmeroman on Wednesday 19 July 23 16:56 BST (UK)
Guess we all have different ways of doing things. Adding to the template sounds great, but I actually snip the details out from the certificate (an image not really), and add to the relevant section of my family tree book. The full certificates are rather large but the snipped bit fits perfectly.

My BMD certificates are all embedded into individual family Word documents as a small image with a one line comment below and a link to the full image which pops up on a mouse click. All my documents are fully (Windows) machine transportable so I can just copy the entire family tree file structure to a memory stick and mail it to anyone that wants it.

As you say, each to their own...
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Deirdre784 on Wednesday 19 July 23 16:59 BST (UK)
Lots of options i expect 😀
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Jon_ni on Wednesday 19 July 23 17:29 BST (UK)
Quote
Edit: Done. I've now got a perfect template and can insert the B&W GRO scrap with the correct colour into the template and add the text in a few minutes. Looks as good as a GRO original. Really pleased with the result.

Manipulating blank or completed certs with the Royal Arms, serial number and words Certified Copy, inserting details and sharing without extra annotation that they are a forgery could be muddy water.

https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/information-management/reproduction-of-birth-death-marriage-certificates.pdf

Are the PDFs subject to any copyright?
They are covered by Crown Copyright and whilst it is an offence to make a copy of a certificate and pass it off as the original certificate you are welcome to copy, publish or use the information they contain including in the form of a PDF.
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/images/CG5.pdf

Bottom of every Cert: "Caution: there are offences relating to falsifying or altering a certificate and using or possessing a false certificate. Crown Copyright."

Creating a template with Registration District, Sub-District, County & year plus column headers and pasting the image below so has effectively the content of their pdf service images can't see being a problem to them.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: farmeroman on Wednesday 19 July 23 18:58 BST (UK)
Quote
Edit: Done. I've now got a perfect template and can insert the B&W GRO scrap with the correct colour into the template and add the text in a few minutes. Looks as good as a GRO original. Really pleased with the result.

Manipulating blank or completed certs with the Royal Arms, serial number and words Certified Copy, inserting details and sharing without extra annotation that they are a forgery could be muddy water.

https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/information-management/reproduction-of-birth-death-marriage-certificates.pdf

Are the PDFs subject to any copyright?
They are covered by Crown Copyright and whilst it is an offence to make a copy of a certificate and pass it off as the original certificate you are welcome to copy, publish or use the information they contain including in the form of a PDF.
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/images/CG5.pdf

I definitely wouldn’t advocate sharing, passing them off as official copies or including serial numbers. Removal of official wording and the seal from any templates is a good idea too.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Sloe Gin on Monday 24 July 23 11:14 BST (UK)
Well, this is a game-changer.  Trouble is it's addictive and those £2.50s are mounting up!  ;D
But it's satisfying to solve some of those uncertainties.
I wish they took Paypal though, it would be quicker than repeatedly entering credit card details.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: farmeroman on Monday 24 July 23 13:25 BST (UK)
Well, this is a game-changer.  Trouble is it's addictive and those £2.50s are mounting up!  ;D
But it's satisfying to solve some of those uncertainties.
I wish they took Paypal though, it would be quicker than repeatedly entering credit card details.

Yes it has certainly got me going again; I'm willing to take a risk on a common name at £2.50, but not so much any more at £11 after several failures in the past for one person; I got her on the second hit at £2.50 this time though.

I Agree it's a pain entering CC details for every one though. Why no basket option?

Edit: I've just realised that there is an option to add more before paying.  ::)

Maybe there could be an option to save CC details so that only the security code has to be entered every time.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Sloe Gin on Monday 24 July 23 20:30 BST (UK)
I Agree it's a pain entering CC details for every one though. Why no basket option?
Edit: I've just realised that there is an option to add more before paying.  ::)

Yes, there is. But sometimes you need to do them one at a time, because you need to see what each one says before proceeding.

Maybe there could be an option to save CC details so that only the security code has to be entered every time.

My browser offers that option, but I don't want it saving card details in case the device falls into the wrong hands.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Paul 77 on Tuesday 08 August 23 16:30 BST (UK)
Just had a first failure after about a dozen successes so far, what the system has done is combined the bottom half of the entry above my request, and the top half of my requested entry. 

I’ve reported it using their problem page, will let you know how long it takes to fix. I wonder if the same glitch will have affected all the entries on the same page. 

Or will they just refund me and suggest buying the pdf instead?

Paul
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: farmeroman on Tuesday 08 August 23 16:49 BST (UK)
Just had a first failure after about a dozen successes so far, what the system has done is combined the bottom half of the entry above my request, and the top half of my requested entry. 

I’ve reported it using their problem page, will let you know how long it takes to fix. I wonder if the same glitch will have affected all the entries on the same page. 

Or will they just refund me and suggest buying the pdf instead?

Paul

I've had several with varying degrees of offset across the whole record and some where the image is skewed, which probably affects the whole page of records. Some have parts of words missing at the top or bottom, but one has the whole bottom row of text missing and although I can work out what should be there, it's still not ideal.

I very much doubt they will fix it as I believe this will affect a large enough percentage of records to not make it worth their while fixing individually, but a refund is quite likely. Whether a PDF would be any better is another matter; do they do them by hand or just use the same images that we see and transpose them on a template?

Please report back and let us known what they say.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: farmeroman on Tuesday 08 August 23 16:51 BST (UK)
I Agree it's a pain entering CC details for every one though. Why no basket option?
Edit: I've just realised that there is an option to add more before paying.  ::)

Yes, there is. But sometimes you need to do them one at a time, because you need to see what each one says before proceeding.

Maybe there could be an option to save CC details so that only the security code has to be entered every time.

My browser offers that option, but I don't want it saving card details in case the device falls into the wrong hands.

I don't let browsers save credit cards either, but I do save them in a secure password manager.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Paul 77 on Tuesday 08 August 23 16:54 BST (UK)
Just had a first failure after about a dozen successes so far, what the system has done is combined the bottom half of the entry above my request, and the top half of my requested entry. 

I’ve reported it using their problem page, will let you know how long it takes to fix. I wonder if the same glitch will have affected all the entries on the same page. 

Or will they just refund me and suggest buying the pdf instead?

Paul

I've had several with varying degrees of offset across the whole record and some where the image is skewed, which probably affects the whole page of records. Some have parts of words missing at the top or bottom, but one has the whole bottom row of text missing and although I can work out what should be there, it's still not ideal.

I very much doubt they will fix it as I believe this will affect a large enough percentage of records to not make it worth their while fixing individually, but a refund is quite likely. Whether a PDF would be any better is another matter; do they do them by hand or just use the same images that we see and transpose them on a template?

Please report back and let us known what they say.

I’ve quite a few pdfs which would have probably been skewed, but they’ve extended the image up and/or down as necessary to catch the whole entry, so I assume what the £7.50 gets you is an element of manual adjustment as well as the cut and paste of the header.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Tickettyboo on Tuesday 08 August 23 16:58 BST (UK)
Just had a first failure after about a dozen successes so far, what the system has done is combined the bottom half of the entry above my request, and the top half of my requested entry. 

I’ve reported it using their problem page, will let you know how long it takes to fix. I wonder if the same glitch will have affected all the entries on the same page. 

Or will they just refund me and suggest buying the pdf instead?

Paul

I reported a similar case recently. The reply said
We are sorry that you have received an incomplete image.
We have arranged for a full refund of £2.50 to be credited to your account via Worldpay.

As we are unable to manipulate the image, if you still require a copy of the above entry, you will need to place a further order for a PDF image (which can be manipulated) or a certificate.


Which, from what I had read, was what I expected.

Boo
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Nic. on Wednesday 09 August 23 07:42 BST (UK)
Any ideas.  I’ve attempted to order a £2.50 death certificate image.  I can find the references on both Ancesty and FREEBMD they both the same. I’ve also viewed the register which matches the transcripts I’ve found.  When I try to order I can’t get it to search the name.  I’ve even tried putting her in as a male in case of error.  I’ve tried the less is more approach and using h**** for surname but get nothing.

It’s Sarah Handson q3 1860 Luton 3b vol 236

Could it be that she’s been missed?

Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 09 August 23 07:47 BST (UK)
Any ideas.  I’ve attempted to order a £2.50 death certificate image.  I can find the references on both Ancesty and FREEBMD they both the same. I’ve also viewed the register which matches the transcripts I’ve found.  When I try to order I can’t get it to search the name.  I’ve even tried putting her in as a male in case of error.  I’ve tried the less is more approach and using h**** for surname but get nothing.

It’s Sarah Handson q3 1860 Luton 3b vol 236

Could it be that she’s been missed?

It is there....

   Name:   Age at Death (in years): 
   HANDSON, SARAH       58 
GRO Reference: 1860  S Quarter in LUTON  Volume 03B  Page 236

Are you absolutely sure you are searching for her death,and have not put in birth by mistake?

I've done that before  :-[
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: BumbleB on Wednesday 09 August 23 07:52 BST (UK)
She is there - Sarah Handson - Luton RD - aged 58

GRO website offered me a digital image.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Nic. on Wednesday 09 August 23 08:11 BST (UK)
I was definitely using the death search as I had the option of age at death.  It was something I check because like you I’ve done it before.

It was driving me batty last night.

I’ve just redone the search and she’s appeared.  Now I can see it I won’t be ordering as she’s to old. I hoped she’d be around 4yrs.

Thanks for looking at it.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Paul 77 on Thursday 17 August 23 11:09 BST (UK)
Just had a first failure after about a dozen successes so far, what the system has done is combined the bottom half of the entry above my request, and the top half of my requested entry. 

I’ve reported it using their problem page, will let you know how long it takes to fix. I wonder if the same glitch will have affected all the entries on the same page. 

Or will they just refund me and suggest buying the pdf instead?

Paul

I reported a similar case recently. The reply said
We are sorry that you have received an incomplete image.
We have arranged for a full refund of £2.50 to be credited to your account via Worldpay.

As we are unable to manipulate the image, if you still require a copy of the above entry, you will need to place a further order for a PDF image (which can be manipulated) or a certificate.


Which, from what I had read, was what I expected.

Boo

I’ve now got the same message about a refund, has taken just over a week. 

I note that the digital image option is still available so it will presumably fail for anyone else trying.

I’m concerned that their imaging software is making some sort of fundamental error, because the image I received is perfectly aligned horizontally and vertically, just that as I posted earlier it’s been targeted on the horizontal boundary between two records.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: phil57 on Thursday 17 August 23 11:55 BST (UK)
I’m concerned that their imaging software is making some sort of fundamental error, because the image I received is perfectly aligned horizontally and vertically, just that as I posted earlier it’s been targeted on the horizontal boundary between two records.

As explained in their FAQ, the images are historic scans and misalignment of some images is to be expected, but the service is automated with no human intervention to detect and manipulate images, hence the low cost.

See AntonyMMM's post #12 towards the beginning of this thread. Refunds are offered for poor quality images and if you wish the image to be manually manipulated to ensure it captures all of the required information you would need to revert to the PDF or full certificate options.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: AntonyMMM on Thursday 17 August 23 12:10 BST (UK)
I’m concerned that their imaging software is making some sort of fundamental error, because the image I received is perfectly aligned horizontally and vertically, just that as I posted earlier it’s been targeted on the horizontal boundary between two records.

It seems to be because the page scans, done as part of the digitisation project some years ago, weren't positioned very accurately. Each page has a number of entries on it, so the new system just calls up the scanned image of the whole page and automatically crops it down to where the entry you want "should" be .... if the page scan wasn't aligned perfectly the image will be slanted or cut off at the top/bottom.

I've just had a refund for one, which took about a week - as compared with a day or two during the trial. It is a significant, but known, limitation of the system and probably causing a considerable number of refunds to be processed..
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: AntonyMMM on Wednesday 15 November 23 10:50 GMT (UK)
The digital download option for death registrations has now been extended up to 1957 ....

Good News
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Ray T on Wednesday 15 November 23 11:04 GMT (UK)
Thanks! Good job it’s pension day tomorrow.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: jc26red on Wednesday 15 November 23 12:54 GMT (UK)
Ooohhh!  Just the years I have been waiting for.

Thank you Anthony
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: AllanUK on Wednesday 15 November 23 13:17 GMT (UK)
Ooohhh!  Just the years I have been waiting for.

Thank you Anthony

Seconded!! ;D
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: tillypeg on Wednesday 15 November 23 14:10 GMT (UK)
Aarrgghh!!  I ordered a death cert for 1949 just last night as a PDF and so paid £7.... >:(  whatever..... that's good news, thanks AntonyMMM. :)
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Wednesday 15 November 23 14:23 GMT (UK)
Excellent news they have extended deaths to as recent as 1957, as 1957 was when a great, great grandmother died.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: melba_schmelba on Thursday 16 November 23 11:26 GMT (UK)
The digital download option for death registrations has now been extended up to 1957 ....

Good News
Thanks, just discovered this :).
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: candleflame on Thursday 16 November 23 19:12 GMT (UK)
I made my first foray into the £2.50’s tonight. Got two death cert images that are excellent and worth the £2.50 each.  The third I wasn’t able to get. It offered all the choices of images including digital in the little blue rectangle for it, but then when it scrolled down , it said that digital wasn’t available for that image. As it was from 1910, I’m guessing it’s maybe been one of those where others have ordered and it’s been found to be not lined up properly so they’ve withdrawn it, but not to the extent that the blue digital box has been removed. Perhaps they’ll adjust that page in the future.
A bit disappointing , but I’ve waited for ages as I couldn’t justify the pdf cost. It’ll be a question of whether my curiosity of cause of death will override the cost.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Andrew Tarr on Thursday 28 December 23 13:00 GMT (UK)
I have only recently taken advantage of the £2.50 Jpeg images on GRO, having lashed out about £25 so far  :D.  However I cannot get one for William Tarr d.1941, apparently because his record is annotated 'Occasional Copy A' - although the PDF is available at 3 times the cost  >:( .  What might be the reason for this difference ?

LATER  -  since posting this, I have hit two more death records which are unavailable as Jpeg but without annotations, so presumably the system checks whether the requested page has been 'scanned' before asking for your money ....
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: AllanUK on Thursday 28 December 23 13:05 GMT (UK)
Occasional copies are submitted by the Superintendent Registrar when a correction is made to a register entry in their custody, nothing to do with illegitimacy. You would need to get a copy of the entry to see what the correction was.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Thursday 28 December 23 15:46 GMT (UK)
I have enjoyed the extension of digital images of deaths up to 1957, I hope we do get an extension of digital images of births past 1922. But I guess in that regard they do not want to go too recent, as many people will still be alive. Whereas you can still send off for a birth over 50 years ago I think.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: emeraldcity on Thursday 04 January 24 13:47 GMT (UK)
So far I've found at least half of the records I'd like are "not available as digital images". Bit annoying.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Steve C on Friday 05 January 24 19:18 GMT (UK)
Just wondering if anyone else has placed an order for a digital image recently.

I placed an order for 4 digital images on the 02.01.2024 unfortunately I neglected to take notice of the delivery times. I have this evening logged into my GRO account and attach a screenshot of the progress for one of the images ( minus reference number and name which I have erased ). I checked the other three images and all three have similar information regarding status.

Having used this service for the first time I was hoping someone with experience of ordering certificates could help explain what I am reading. Is the application still in progress or has it been despatched?

Many thanks in anticipation Steve  ;)
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: bearkat on Friday 05 January 24 19:23 GMT (UK)
Try clicking on E/W death digital image
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: phil57 on Friday 05 January 24 19:30 GMT (UK)
Click on the "View" button to see the image, as it explains in the screenshot that you added ;)

Follow the rest of the instructions in your screen shot to download and save it to your computer.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Steve C on Friday 05 January 24 19:38 GMT (UK)
Try clicking on E/W death digital image

Thanks very much bearkat for your reply and instructions. Yep that worked just fine  ;)
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Steve C on Friday 05 January 24 19:44 GMT (UK)
Click on the "View" button to see the image, as it explains in the screenshot that you added ;)

Follow the rest of the instructions in your screen shot to download and save it to your computer.

Thanks very much phil57 for your reply. I did click on "View" but it just took me to another tab displaying the order details.

I have just followed the advice given by bearkat and gained access to the digital image. I was slightly confused originally as they mentioned an email would be sent when the images where ready to view. I have not received an email ( also checking my spam folder ) however when I logged in this evening I viewed the page as per my screenshot but became confused as to the status of my order, hence my post.

Appreciate you taking the time to respond and offer assistance  ;)
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: LizzieL on Saturday 27 January 24 11:44 GMT (UK)
Note the date limits ...

• Birth entries from 1837 up to 100 years ago
• Death entries from 1837 to 1887


Because the page-headers are not included, you will probably want to note the registration district in the file-name when you download and save an image.

Does anyone know why I can't get a digital image of an 1838 death - it should be included in the available range. I get an error message

Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: rosie99 on Saturday 27 January 24 11:53 GMT (UK)
Who are you looking for on that reference.  I have just tried ordering Thomas Bridles death on that ref and it gives me the option to select PDF.

Are you ordering from this GRO page  :-\
Search the GRO Indexes
Search the indexes to identify the record you want.

You can order a Certificate, PDF or Digital Image.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: LizzieL on Saturday 27 January 24 11:56 GMT (UK)
It is listed as Betty Stride on GRO, but her burial record gives her name as Elizabeth. I was hoping the death registration would confirm she was a widow and the name of her husband.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: LizzieL on Saturday 27 January 24 12:01 GMT (UK)
I get the same "unavailable " message for digital image for Ann Scorey and Elizabeth Harrison on that same reference - any significance in that it seems to be females unavailable?
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Bookbox on Saturday 27 January 24 12:09 GMT (UK)
Although it’s within the date-range, some entries which should theoretically be there cannot be produced as digital images. In my experience, this is particularly true in the early years of registration. (The .pdf format is perfectly legible, though obviously more costly.)

For further information see here …

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/images/CGOVPublicBeta.pdf

6.6 Online View digital image states ‘Image not currently available for this entry, the record may alternatively be ordered as a certificate or PDF.
Please refer to the Q&A section below. If you complete your search for the Online View digital image order and the message above is revealed, this means that the image is not held within the Online View digital image data store. However, you may still be able to order this as a certificate or PDF.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: AntonyMMM on Saturday 27 January 24 12:17 GMT (UK)
I get the same "unavailable " message for digital image for Ann Scorey and Elizabeth Harrison on that same reference - any significance in that it seems to be females unavailable?

It suggests there is a problem with the scan of that particular page ( all the entries seem to be unavailable as digital images) - not because they are female.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: LizzieL on Saturday 27 January 24 12:48 GMT (UK)
Who are you looking for on that reference.  I have just tried ordering Thomas Bridles death on that ref and it gives me the option to select PDF.

Are you ordering from this GRO page  :-\
Search the GRO Indexes
Search the indexes to identify the record you want.

You can order a Certificate, PDF or Digital Image.

I'm getting unavailable message for this one as well - so not just females as I first thought
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: farmeroman on Saturday 27 January 24 15:14 GMT (UK)
I get the same "unavailable " message for digital image for Ann Scorey and Elizabeth Harrison on that same reference - any significance in that it seems to be females unavailable?

It suggests there is a problem with the scan of that particular page ( all the entries seem to be unavailable as digital images) - not because they are female.

If it affects the whole page it's probably because the entries are "wonky" and didn't survive the automated cutting process. I have had a couple that were unreadable due to the top or bottom being cut off so they have given me refunds and I suspect they have tried to weed out the most affected pages.

Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Sandrafamilytree on Saturday 27 January 24 22:15 GMT (UK)
When the digital images first became available, I hoped to get one for my ancestor who died in 1889.

At the time, I got the message that a digital image was not available, even though it was within the date range.

I decided not to order a PDF at that stage, and I went on to research other people instead.

A few weeks ago, out of curiosity, I searched again for my relative and, lo and behold, the digital image was available to order.

Whatever the problem with the original record, it must have been corrected.

So if ordering a record isn't pressing, it could be worth waiting a while and trying again later on.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Saturday 27 January 24 22:24 GMT (UK)
At first only 1837 to 1887 deaths were available to download from the GRO site then they extended it to 1957. This may be why you could not order a death from 1889 at first.
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: Sandrafamilytree on Saturday 27 January 24 22:32 GMT (UK)
At first only 1837 to 1887 deaths were available to download from the GRO site then they extended it to 1957. This may be why you could not order a death from 1889 at first.

Yes, that would explain it, wouldn't it?!! ;D ;D

Take no notice of me... I'm clearly suffering from severe brain fog... :o
Title: Re: GRO digital images
Post by: coombs on Wednesday 14 February 24 16:39 GMT (UK)
This feature is great but now you can order birth and death certs easier online within 20 seconds or so, I have found some surprises such as one dying of "mental derangement" in 1844, probably syphilis, and my gran's younger paternal half brother's death cert says he died on 4 June 1939 aged 8 months, of bronchitis, and mongol. Either Mongolian spots, or he had Downs Syndrome. Death registered by my great grandfather Geo Musgrave on 5 June 1939.