More than one birth record for the same person??

[Galium]

UK RChatters familiar with GRO records will know if GRO birth certificates have a separate column heading for the baby's own surname. 

Up until changes to birth certificates in 1969, there is no box for entering the child's surname.

[estiman]

Hi all.  Thanks for the inputs.  Before ordering the certificate I decided to phone the GRO.  Their response was that, as the parents weren't married there would be 2 entries in the register, one under the father's name and the other under the mother's.  I phoned them because I wasn't sure under which name to order the certificate.  Apparently it makes no difference as the entry reference number is the same for both.

I'm still wondering what triggered the late registration.  Surely job applications for a 13 year old wouldn't require a birth certificate ?  And she wasn't married till 1943.

[Colin Cruddace]

There have been many Laws passed for the employment of children and one main point is the minimum age. If an employer was found to have underage workers they would face stiff penalties.

A full birth cert. was not necessary as many families would find the cost prohibitive, so Register Offices could issue what was known as a Short Certificate which contained very basic details, but were sufficient to fulfill the employment requirements, at a fraction of the cost. I believe 3d and 6d were common charges for different types.

Regards,
Colin

[estiman]

Well, that may explain it.  Cheers 

[majm]

UK RChatters familiar with GRO records will know if GRO birth certificates have a separate column heading for the baby's own surname. 

Up until changes to birth certificates in 1969, there is no box for entering the child's surname.

Thanks, so that would it explain it then.

Cheers,  JM

[stephenconlon]

Just to throw in my own experience - I found two birth records for my great-grandmother after she was born in the Workhouse in 1900. One birth record was registered by the Workhouse, while the second was registered by her mother. My guess is her mother did not realise that the Workhouse here in Belfast automatically registers all births which took place within the building, hence the double record.