Genealogy Chat

I have been waiting for certificates for about 4 weeks now like many of you and getting very frustrated with the wait. The other day though something helped that will pass the time. I went along to a local register office to apply for a birth certificate. I filled in a form (2 mins), waited 4 mins for the man to return, waited another 4 mins while he wrote it out, chatted about genealogy for 5 mins and left after about 15 mins clutching my prize:)) Aren't local register offices wonderful - almost worth travelling the country to collect your certs:)) Chrissie

How lovely a long time ago we needed certs for a will in question and we went to the records office in Islington, it was wonderful could have spent weeks there if someone could bring my meals, Bet you will be going back

I wish i lived near where my ancestors grew up. Im in the South and my lot are from Yorkshire, Nothumberland, Suffolk and London!!!

I agree with you I think Registrars offices are brilliant. If I'm not sure if I want a certificate (i.e. could be wrong people) you can say to them if this is so and so I want it, if not I don't. This has saved me a lot of money and I have always found if you ring mid-week they are very helpful.

Hi Valerie - I didn't realise that Islington would supply certificates. I have a few of mine from there but when I rang them about a year ago they said that they didn't supply them. Maybe that was only by post? Hi Robyne - It's frustrating isn't it. I only have a few that come from the local area. I have others all over the place and have to wait like everyone else. I keep hoping that they won't do any more 'Who do you think you are' programmes. Two weeks wait is bad enough but now it's four weeks or more you begin to forget what you are waiting for:)) Chrissie

Hi Irene Yes, they are brilliant. Even by post you usually get a certificate back by return and as you say, they will check the details and don't charge you a thing if it's the wrong one. Chrissie

IHiRobbie, I'm from Yorkshire and we do have phones up here. If you ring the Register Office like I said they are very helpful. Give it a go some time.

hi Chrissie, to be honest I think they did send them by post, but we wanted to search the records ourselves ,it was so lovely to be there, the atmosphere and everything, my husband thought I was mad and couldnt get out fast enough.

Hi Chrissie, I am armed with a list to go into Manchester when the weather improves. I have to take the bus that runs during the day every hour, and sometimes doesn't turn up. It also takes 45 mins and doesn't go anywhere near the Registry Office so a long walk at the end. I will need to win the Lotto to pay for them as well. You would think I lived in the middle of nowhere with the transport problems, but no, 20 miles a way. Hence a list. As I haven't been to Manchester for at least 25 years that in itself will be an experience. I am glad you enjoyed it. Ann

Are you talking about the records office, not the register office Valerie? I persuaded hubby to take me to a records office in Matlock once and it was brilliant. I managed to rope him in helping for a while but I could have stayed all day too. They are fascinating arn't they. Chrissie

Hi Ann That seems like an awful lot of trouble for 20 miles. Maybe it would just be easier to send seperate cheques and a couple of stamped addressed envelopes:)) Chrissie

yes sorry Chrissie , thats what I meant its huge and so much info wow I wish I could move there that would be heaven.