Genealogy Chat

Ted, I'm amazed they've taken that attitude. What a short-sighted management they have. Especially in today's climate where they could actually make money for other local resources. No wonder the Council Taxes are so high, when they refuse to take advantage of something laid in their lap. I don't blame you for giving them a miss. I have been lucky so far with local offices, as I said but to be fair, apart from the hiccough last year when the GRO were well behind, they've always come up trumps for me. Actually, in respect of Overseas records, I always phone for these and the staff are more than helpful. They too phone you back (or they have me) to find out if I want more certificates that they've turned up for a couple of my soldier rellies. Can't be bad eh, they've done some research for me. I considered that a bonus. Best wishes jan x

I almost ALWAYS use local ROs in preference to the GRO. Most of my certs have come from the Lancashire area so far and I cannot sing the praises of Salford and Blackburn enough! Salford in particular, sent me a cert in response to a waffly email BEFORE I had even paid for it! Initiated about midnight Sunday/Monday, on my doormat Tuesday morning. They patiently answer all my queries and rarely charge me anything for a 'wrong' cert. Blackburn RO is also excellent - again, they have searched for me for nothing, phoned me to ask if they HAVE found the right one and so on. Even a request by snail mail usually produces a cert in less than a week.And, when chatting to the dear lady there, who had become personally involved in my search, she mentioned a book on my family in her local library. I did not even know of the existence of this book, which has proved invaluable to me. I am sorry Liverpool are letting the side down! I would rather deal with a Local Register Office any day, than the impersonal GRO. Incidentally, Salford and Blackburn have now between them, produced four events for me which do not appear to have ever reached the GRO. Olde Crone

Jan, hi. no it isnt anything to do with that. They are understaffed and they dont care about family historians, they would sooner do the modern stuff, its easier money. I worte to the council at one time to complain about the 3 month delay in sending out certs to family historians and received a letter back, 2 pages long, giving all sorts of reasons for the delay, and finishing up with a statement that made my blod boil, and I quote 'WE DO NOT HAVE A STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATES TO FAMILY HISTORIANS' That was the last straw for me, I dont give them any of my money again. TED. ps. its not the staffs fault, its the management who are totally to blame.

That's amazing. I've had such excellent service from other local offices - I didn't realise that Liverpool was so adrift on its service. Thanks for the warning! Christine

That is a shame about the L'Pool office Ted. Have to say I've been more than impressed with those local to me, especially Kent. They take 2 days and it's same cost as Southport. You don't think it may have something to do with conflict of interest perhaps with the ONS?? Near neighbours! Good hunting Jan x

christine, hi. No I wont order from LPOOL, it takes too long. I could be dead and buried before they even look at my application, so I ALWAYS order direct from SOUTHPORT, its a shame really because its money wasted by the LPOOL CITY COUNCIL who cant be bothered to give a decent service. TED. the last time I enquired about the turn around time period! it was 9 weeks, and I'm not prepared to wait that long. If they were giving them away then it might be another thing, but certs can cost a lot of cash over the year, as you already know.

Just re-read your message - I gather you don't want to order from the Lancs RO direct? I've never asked the local ROs but I should have thought you could get a photo-copy of the entry like the GRO ones, if you really wanted it. Christine

Or you can get a cert via the local RO (http://www.lancashirebmd.org.uk): Lancashire Marriage indexes for the years: 1930 Surname Forename(s) Surname Forename(s) Church / Register Office Registers At Reference BLUNDELL Alfred LUCAS Mabel West Derby, Register Office Liverpool REG_WD/479/128 Same fees. Christine PS - that means the ceremony took place at the Register Office, not a church, or the church would have been specified.

Jan, you're an angel, thank you very much. TED XX

Dec 1930 West Derby 8b 1039

Ted I'll do 1837 for you, give me a few minutes Jan

morning all, its not exactly a summers day today, winds up and blowing a bit, autumn is on the way. Im just about to order a marriage cert from the GRO for the marriage of ALFRED BLUNDELL and MABEL LUCAS and dont have the GRO ref info. Is there any chance of someone doing me a quick look up, pleasssseeeeee. I have the LANCS BMD ref but the GRO arent interested, they want their REF. You are very kind. TED.