Family Tree Research (merged)

1jacks64 · 17 September 2004 at 8:33PM

Official MoneySavingExpert.com Insert

What's the deal?

Researching your family tree can be at once fascinating and rewarding, yet one thing it often isn't is MoneySaving, with register offices etc keen to charge you for info every step of the way.

This thread shows you how to cut the costs associated with family tree research, using the plentiful, and mostly free resources on the web. Chances are you'll still have to stump up (sorry...) at some points along the way, but you should get most of the basic stuff done for nowt.

So, if you're interested in building a record of your family's history, have a good read through and try out all the links posted by other MoneySavers below. Better still, if you know of a useful site that isn't listed, post it yourself and help build up this resource.

Thanks to 1jacks64 for getting the ball rolling, a mere 4 years ago!

Now, back to the original post:

__________________________________________

I want to find out the history of my family members and I have visited the General Register Office website. It says that you can go to the Family Records Centre in London to look at indexes. Does anyone know what information these indexes contain ?

I thought that you used to be able to go up to London and look at copies of the original Birth, Death and Marriage certificates. Its just that I don't actually need to have a copy of the certificates to keep forever and ever I just want to browse through the information that these certificates contain such as place of birth, who the parents were etc.

The jist I have from the website is that if you go there in person you get to look at these "indexes" but have to order certified copies of the certificates to get the actual information you want. At eleven pound something this must be a bit of a money spinner for the Government.

Does anyone know the cheapest and best way to get the information of Births, Deaths and Marriages and not the rather expensive method that the Government seems to want everyone to follow ?

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mink35 · 18 September 2004 at 10:43AM

My stepmum been there so I will try and find out what happens.

In the meantime, have you checked the church records from the area where your family lived? Also gravestones often have lots of information on.

1jacks64 · 18 September 2004 at 3:39PM

Thanks mink35 I appreciate your efforts and I look forward to hearing what you find out.

goolieman · 19 September 2004 at 11:46AM

Have you tried https://www.1837online.com
For a small fee you can access the indexes for England and Wales online and then order the certificates if you want them when you have the GRO number.
The Marriage indexes for example with have the Bride's maiden name and forename, the Grooms names and the place of marriage, date and all the registered numbers. The certificate would tell you a little more if you needed to know. With Marriage indexes you would need to cross reference to make sure you had the right couple.
Birth indexes will give parents' and child's name date of birth, place of birth, but not parents address at the time or job. Basically the indexes give the pure basics. But usually only the info you require! The only reason it is usefull to see the full certificate is to make doubley sure by cross referencing info that you have the right certifiacte or to keep as a momento of your search.
I hope this is of some use to you.
We did all this recently in the search for a 'missing' relative, but I only know the basics so forgive me if I have got anything wrong and good luck in your search.
C

P.S did you know you can order certificates online?

1jacks64 · 19 September 2004 at 8:57PM

Thanks goolieman for that information. It is very helpful.

I am aware that you can order certificates online but it is quite expensive at about £11 per certificate so I am basically trying to find a way around this to avoid the considerable cost.

I suppose its cheapest to either go to London or look at the online web index that you suggested.

sce37 · 20 September 2004 at 12:30AM

I am afraid that the indexes will only give you very basic information about the year and the quarter that the event occurred and where registered. You will need to purchase the copy of the certificate to accurately verify who you are looking for. They are currently £7. However if you are unsure then a search can be undertaken for up to 6 names over a 3 year period and the cost for this is £11. The certificates are very useful in providing clues for further searches though.

1837 on line is a good source for researching indexes but it costs to view pages and sometimes you have to guess which page to view (not always accurately). I think the London centres are free to search though. Another free web site is https://www.freebmd.org.uk. They are still listing all the indexes so may not be totally accurate. You might also like to try 'Genes connected' which are part of Friends Reunited. I have managed to link in with distant family members through that. You might also consider joining your local Family History Centre, who can be invaluable in assisting and advising on your search.
HTH

1jacks64 · 20 September 2004 at 5:21PM

I have tried freeBMD and didn't find much complete info on there.

I have just joined 1837online.com and paid £5.00 which allowed me to look at the indexes. The information contained is a little basic so looks as though I will need to order copies of the certificates.

However, the information on 1837online.com is better than nothing!

By the way, does anyone know if a stillborn baby is issued with a birth and/or death certificate?

trafalgar_2 · 20 September 2004 at 5:42PM

By the way, does anyone know if a stillborn baby is issued with a birth and/or death certificate?

. http://www.childbereavement.org.uk/showContent.php?page=130&ParentID=20

As far as I can tell..........a registration of stillbirth is issued which is then registered as death also..........hope that helps

Spendless · 20 September 2004 at 6:32PM

If any family members married abroad then they are not necessarily registered in U.K
Me and Mr Spendless married in Florida and you would not find details of our marriage if going through records in this country.
Elderly members of family are generally a mine of info. Have you tried this route?

filigree_2 · 20 September 2004 at 11:09PM

Everyone has to pay for certificates, I needed copies of my own marriage certificate and had to pay the fee.

The certificates aren't held on file, just the information. If you want a duplicate a member of staff has to seek out the appropriate entry and hand write a new certificate, which in the case of 150+ year old ledgers is quite a challenge.

You can get books from the library about researching your family tree, there are options that don't always cost money.

Be glad you're not investigating my family - they've got three surnames and about five first names between the lot of them! My Dad got excited when he found a relative called Phoebe - surely she was unique in a small Welsh village? Not so - there were two Phoebes born in the same district the same year ::). He had to buy both birth certs that time.

1jacks64 · 21 September 2004 at 7:45PM

Does anyone know if you go to the General Register Office in London armed with the references from the index whether you are able to physically get certificates or does one order in person and then have it delivered to their home.

Family Tree Research (merged)

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