It would be good if

[pinefamily]

I speak from Australia, so please be kind, but surely it wouldn't require an act of parliament to change a government department's system of doing things?

[KGarrad]

Whenever asked questions, the GRO (and District Register Offices) always state what they are allowed, BY LAW, to do or not do!

I can't find the relevant piece of legislation, but I know it exists!

[joboy]

Whenever asked questions, the GRO (and District Register Offices) always state what they are allowed, BY LAW, to do or not do!

I can't find the relevant piece of legislation, but I know it exists!

I am interested in this and found the following which describes the Department as a 'Non Departmental Public Body' (NDPB)
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/ac_role.pdf
Joe

[stanmapstone]

Interestingly the  Act for registering Births, Deaths, and Marriages in England. [17 August 1836] 6 & 7 Will. IV. c.86 states that;
XXXV. And be it enacted, That every Rector, Vicar, or Curate, and every Registrar, Registering Officer, and Secretary, who shall have the keeping for the Time being of any Register Book of Births, Deaths, or Marriages, shall at all reasonable Times allow Searches to be made of any Register Book in his keeping, and shall give a Copy certified under his Hand of any Entry or Entries in the same, on Payment of the Fee herein-after mentioned; (that is to say,) for every Search extending over a Period not more than One Year the Sum of One Shilling, and Sixpence additional for every additional Year, and the Sum of Two Shillings and Sixpence for every single Certificate.
http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/View?path=Browse/Legislation%20%28by%20date%29&active=yes&mno=4044
However this section is not included in the 1874 Act, which only states that;
Section 32. The Registrar General shall supply to every superintendent registrar suitable forms wherein to make indexes of the register books in his office, and such superintendent registrar shall cause such indexes to be made and to be kept with the other records of his office.
All such indexes, whether made before or after the commencement of this Act, shall be kept by the superintendent registrar with the records of his office, and shall be delivered wuith the same to his successor in office, as directed bt the principal Act.
Every person shall be entitled at all reasonable hours to search the said indexes, and to have a certified copy of any entry or entries in the said register books under the hand of the superintendent registrar on payment in each case of the appointed fee.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1874/pdf/ukpga_18740088_en.pdf
 
Stan

[KGarrad]

Whenever asked questions, the GRO (and District Register Offices) always state what they are allowed, BY LAW, to do or not do!

I can't find the relevant piece of legislation, but I know it exists!

I am interested in this and found the following which describes the Department as a 'Non Departmental Public Body' (NDPB)
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/ac_role.pdf
Joe

Joe, that document relates to The National Archives?
BMD certificates/Registers aren't held by TNA!
GRO (General Register Office) and district Register Offices, are part of Her Majesty's Passport Office  and oversees civil registration in England and Wales. It maintains the national archive of all births, marriages and deaths dating back to 1837

[pinefamily]

As interesting and topical as the discussion has become, we have drifted off topic. So, to put us back on track, here's another.
It would be good if.......
Some family history societies stopped being so small-minded and joined in larger projects like the National Burial Index as one example.

[joboy]

Joe, that document relates to The National Archives?
BMD certificates/Registers aren't held by TNA!
GRO (General Register Office) and district Register Offices, are part of Her Majesty's Passport Office  and oversees civil registration in England and Wales. It maintains the national archive of all births, marriages and deaths dating back to 1837
[/quote]
Of course you are quite correct KG ........ I must have been off on one of my meanderings again