Genealogy Chat

I'm impressed. I live in Sweden and last Tuesday, 20 April I posted four letters ordering certificates directly from four different registrars, in Tynemouth, Gateshead, Morpeth and Hexham. Today 26 April I received three certificates, all but Hexham. So my letters arrived on Thursday, 22 April, they immediately issued the certificates and they arrived within 6 days of me sending them. That's what I call excellent service both from the registrars and postal services. Moral of the tale - ignore GRO and go directly to the local offices. I've ordered from others which have online services (Cheshire, Lancashire and Durham) and have also received very quick service.

Very true, I ordered one from Darlington office and within 3/4days it was on my doorstep :~) so next time im ordering thru local office again.

Hi Angela and George, That is excellent service. I ordered 2 birth certificates from Barnsley Register Office and it took 3 weeks. I kept thinking that they had lost them. I think it is back to the GRO for me. Regards Lynne

Hi to you All, just thought I would mention that not always has the local office got records, as I found out when I ordered 2 certs. from my local offic I had details for both and I received 1 back within 2 days the other theycould find no record of and I had to order it from the GRO after all. Margaret

It is good, but as I keep pointing out, they vary a lot. Some are brilliant and some (in London) won't do anything at all. There also is no standard as to what you get, some give out transcriptions and not copies. The main reason you should always be aware of the local office route is that they hold some records that the GRO haven't got. Bob

Just read your comment Margaret which is strange as all GRO records are copies or transcriptions of the local registers so all the GRO records should exist somewhere locally. The "holes" have to be on GRO. A problem and weakness of the local ones is that districts have changed often over the years so finding the right office can be a problem. Bob

Hi Angela I have used Tynemouth/North Shields register offices many times and found they give excellent and very quick service,

Hi, my local Register Office is Salford, in Manchester, and I have to say that 9 times out of 10 they offer a brilliant service. Usually, I call in to the office, fill out my application form, and wait half an hour, then come out clutching my brand new certificates!! On the rare occasions that there is a discrepancy with details, the staff are as helpful as possible, without giving you all the details on the certificate, to make sure you don't purchase the wrong one. They deserve a gold star!! Carol

In the past Ive found Leek Reg office to be very efficient and the staff very nice.

I think if you use the London register offices you might be very disappointed. Hackney Council didn't even bother to reply to my request of ordering a death certificate. After continuingly phoning them and each time someone said they would phone me back but never did. I was then told they didn't issue cert. for family research. I pointed out I hadn't mentioned family research. They told me to use the GRO. Linda

I have nothing but praise for Lambeth, they sent my cert by return of post, but it did seem strange to see it written in biro almost like it wasn't official. Southwark don't even answer the phone (I always give them a ring first incase they don't offer this service) But I sent details anyway, only to have them sent back return of post, with a note saying they don't have enough staff. I am pleased to say the GRO must be catching up with the backlog, cos I got my cert 2 days ago, and it wasn't supposed to be posted till the 29th. Belle.

Hi, Both York and Glandford Brigg (Lincolnshire) have always sent certificates by return post. Islington have recently told me they no longer search for certificates. Is there a list anywhere that tells which Local Registrars will no longer issues copies of certificates? It would save a lot of time and we would know to go straight to the GRO. Rose

Well, I ordered a marriage certificate from Southampton Registry office yesterday at 3pm, And it has just dropped on my door mat now. I just wish the whole of my Ancestors came from Southampton. I could ring up every day and recieve one every day well I wouldnt be able to afford that. They have been absolutely brilliant and always willing to help. Debbie

The good thing about Southampton if they cannot find it they phone you back the same day. So no hanging around.

To Deb from Barnsley Thank you for that extra little bit of info about Barnsley reg. office. I think that I shall definitely leave them alone now and go back to the GRO. Even they don't take 3 weeks. Cheers Lynne

Deb, I have just tried to email you directly to say thank you for the offer and it tells me that I have already emailed you. Are you by any chance Deb Winfield whom I have already been writing to. If so, sorry I missed the connection. Hope you received the latest family photograph that I sent to you a couple of days ago. I don't know if you have received the e mail that i have just sent, but in case you haven't thanks for the offer of help. Regards Lynne

Deb, Sorry for any confusion, this genealogy lark is obviously sending me battier than I usually am!!!!! I shall bother you no more. Cheers Lynne

I ordered a cert on 22 April from Southport and despite saying posting out date would be May 10 it arrived today!! Not the best of copies though! Linda