Genealogy Chat

My great grandmother, Alice Owen married John Michael Humphreys in 1891 aged 21 years. She appears on the 1881 census in Manchester, aged 10 years, with her parents, Joseph Thomas and Ann, plus her siblings. According to the census all the family were born in Manchester. There is a record of her Christening on the IGI at Manchester Cathedral in Nov 1870. Manchester Register Office could not locate her birth so I tried the Gen Reg Office in Southport, giving them all the above information and her parent's names. This morning I received a letter saying they were unable to locate a certificate betwen the years 1969 and 1871 (and charging me £4.50 for the search). I telephoned them and got a very unhelpful man who just repeated that they couldn't find a record of her birth. Is there anyone out there who can tell me where else I can try to locate this birth certificate?? Any advice would be really appreciated as I've been struggling with this one for months. Thanks in advance. Lynne Sale CHS

Lynn, Have you tried searching on the 1837 site? It is the equivelent to visiting the FRO but on line. Mike

Yes I have Mike and the Reg Office have said all the ones I have found are not the correct records. Lynne

Have you tried extending your search another few years.they may have been a bit slow at registering the actual birth!!Is there a minimum/maximum time for registering??

I would suggest widening the search to areas surrounding Manchester first. Also do you know where her mother's family lived - she might have returned there to have the baby.

Lynne Had a look at FreeBMD and there is Alice Owen Dec 1871 registration district of Chorlton which was presumably a different district to Manchester at the time - would they have checked this for you or just for an entry for Manchester? Jane, Leeds

Thanks for your advice everyone but I have tried every possibility. Lynne, I have searched all possible years and her ages on 1881 and Marriage Cert mean it must have been between 1869-71. Ros, I have asked for a check on an Alice born in Stockport in 1870. Hope it may prove to be the one but not hopeful. Ruth, Her mother's family were also from Manchester. Jane, I actually applied for and received that certificate and it turned out to be the wrong parents, that's why I'm being so cautious now as I have 3 incorrect certs already for various ancestors. Thanks again everyone, I'll keep searching. Maybe when I visit the Central Library next week I may be able to find something in the parish records? Lynne

Tracey Thanks. As I said in my previous message, I will have a look next week. I'm not sure if the Library will hold the records I'm looking for but I will certainly give it a try. Lynne

Lynne If you have a look at www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries/arls this will give you a list of all the records that the library holds - around 1500 of the parishes in the area, along with dates and whether they are transcribed/on fiche/on film. Once you have found the record you can actually view the original entry in the archives - but you have to wait for them to bring it up from the archives - this usually takes around 1 hour. I'll be there myself a week on Saturday! Jane - Leeds

Lynne, I'm in exactly the same position, I've had that request(for my Grandfather's birth certificate) sent back from the GRO.according to the 1881 census he was born in Lincolnshire,I've searched the 1837online, have found 9 Stephen Harrisons, but not one from that area. My next move is asking the LDS to get the microfiche of the Parish Records for me to search. If that fails what next? I really do hope you are successful soon, it will feel like Christmas has come early. Good luck! June, Preston.Lan

I have a couple of ancestors not on the GRO and one who was not born, and did not marry. Although he served in the Army and has 4 children and was baptized! One grandmother was registered 3 years late as her Dad did hers when her younger sister was born. Don't give up, she may turn up when you least expect her.

Lynne You seem to have tried most routes so may already have tried this but have you looked at her marriage or death certificates? These often have quite a lot of info relating to year and place of birth. This route has helped me quite a lot in the past. Lauren

Lauren I don't yet have her death cert but I have her marriage cert and it gives no information apart from her age, her father's name and occupation and her address. I have never seen a marriage certificate that gives the person's date of birth, do these exist? Lynne