Genealogy Chat

Hi Chris, yes, I guess expense is a big issue. Mary, that's fantastic, it would be very handy if English certificates had all that information, and I thought that Scottish marriage certificates were good having both parents names on as well!

Toni, that's very interesting - I'm researching family in NSW at the moment, and I've already had to buy 3 certificates because it's rather hard going without censuses. I can't find anything on the NSW BDM website about transcription agents - is it an official government service, or should I just google for a private transcriber? I believe Queensland or Victoria, I forget which, offers a two-tier service; you can pay a small fee to print off your own certificate from the website, or the full fee to have a certificate sent to you. I'm sure GRO should do the same - I don't think they'd lose money by it, because they'd need fewer staff and a lot more people would want certificates. I must say NSW certificates are excellent - the amount of information they give puts English ones to shame. I just got my first birth certificate, which shows my grandma's place and date of birth, father's name, occupation, age and birthplace, date and place of marriage, previous children, mother's name and maiden name and date of birth, together with the informant and witnesses. The death certificates are just as good, because you get the same details for the parents, informant, place of burial, name of undertaker, name and religon of Minister, witnesses to burial, where born and how long in Australia, place of marriage, spouse's name, and a list of all the children of the marriage. Why can't English ones be like that?

John Given the strict terms of the Data Protection Act I don't think they would ever be able to give names here in the UK for those who have applied for the same certificate unless they had the agreement of both parties.....And I don't think finances would allow them to run a 'matching' service lol. However I can't see why they couldn't give the number of people who had applied for a certain certificate under the terms of the Act. But again I guess it would mean adapting their computer database to enable them to provide the info.......That of course would cost money :((( Interesting idea though. Chris

Angela, I guess that would be a bit unnerving to find that out, I don't think i'd even bother enquiring if anyone had applied for mine. Toni, that does sound like a good idea, there is the capability at least for some sort of index to the applications for certificates (although I don't know how long they're kept). Perhaps there could be an option on the application form for your name to be placed on such an index, so that if anyone else applies for the same certificate you'd know how many people were researching the same family. The more I think about it actually, the more that sounds like a good idea.

Hi, It's a great idea. Here in NSW Australia our BDM have 3 transcription agents. They can provide the details on the certificate for about half the price of a real one. It's a great service. What these people do is also have a matching service. If you and anyone else who purchases through them buy the same certificate they will give you their contact details. That way you can contact others who are researching the same family as you. I've contacted one guy that way. We were both trying to find the name of our 3g grandfather's father. We both failed as he was illegitimate but we were able to give each other info on our direct lines which was great. Unfortunately I don't think BDM have that sort of service. Toni

The scary thing would be finding out that other people had applied for your own birth certificate!!!

Hi Angela, I know this might sound strange to some people, but I think it might be interesting to know how many people have applied for a direct ancestors certificate. I know that if any records are kept, they probably wouldn't be able to tell you names of people who've applied, but I just find the thought interesting, i've never thought about this before today, but suddenly the thought popped into my head, and I had to ask. All the best

I don't know the answer to this, John, but I wouldn't think that they keep a record. Is there any particular reason that you want to know?

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone here knows if there is any way of discovering how many people have applied for a certificate of any description? Is it only me who has wondered this, or has anyone else had similar thoughts? And, has anyone tried to enquire about this? Would be interested in your replies Thanks John