Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know if this still exists or if it has become West Lancashire Register Office?

I am after a couple of death certificates for a set of twins in my family. I wasn't sure whether to order them through the GRO or not as I checked on the Deaths Index and there are two possible deaths for each twin.

They are William and Elizabeth Hurst, probably born in Melling, in 1851. I know their parents names and that they either both died in Jun qtr 1852, or in late 1854/early 1855. Alternatively, if I gave the GRO the parents' names and the year 1853 +/- 2 years, would I have a chance of getting the right ones?

Thanks,
Kate

Kate it was in Greetby Buildings in Ormskirk and i think it still is to register, sorry got no number, but if u try to google it sud come up, my son rang Preston last week for his and they were very helpful...best wishes Joanie

According to Genuki, the records are now kept at West Lancashire.

You could give the father's name as a checking point if you ordered from the GRO, as I would expect the death certificate of a child to say in the occupation column....son of ??????, or daughter of ?????? and give the father's name.

Kath. x

Thanks, Joanie. I've just managed to find it and it is still in Greetby Buildings.

Registration Office
Greetby Buildings
Derby Street
ORMSKIRK
L39 2BS

Tel: 0845 053 0021
Fax: 01695 585819

Will give them a call and see what they say.

I was thinking that, Kath. With them being so little - they were either a year or three years old at death - I'm pretty sure one parent or the other probably registered them.

Even if someone else registered the deaths (like a grandparent or other relation), I still think the father's name would be given in the "occupation" column.

It is on the death certificates for children that I have.

Kath. x

Have you checked the complete index for the deaths? I have had a look and the only deaths I can see in that area for a William and Elizabeth both in the same qtr. with the same page number is the one in 1852:-

June qtr. 1852, Ormskirk, 8b, 376

I can find a William in the March qtr. of 1855 registered in Ormskirk, but I can't find an Elizabeth in the same qtr.

Kath. x

Hi Kath

Yes, I got the Jun qtr 1852 ones but the puzzle I had was over Elizabeth. There is that William coming up in Mar qtr 1855 but the "other" Elizabeth I found was in the Dec qtr 1854 which made me wonder if perhaps they both died from the same illness.

I wouldn't know till I got the certificate but I was wondering if Elizabeth could have died just before Christmas, putting her into the Dec qtr and then William died in the New Year, making him the 1855.

So I'm puzzled as to which two are "my" two.

Oh, yes, I see what you mean now. I had assumed that you meant they both died together. (I know, never assume anything, LOL !!!!)

I still think the ones in 1852 are the most likely. It would be strange if a William and Elizabeth Hurst were registered at the same time, presumably at near enough the same time, (so as to be on the same page) without them being related.

Kath. x

I think you might be right, Kath. I've just rung up the register office and given them an either/or option about when they died, but I am inclined to go with 1852, as well.

I suspect that possibly they died of some illness - might even have just been a cold - or perhaps just were very sickly babies.

I did find their baptisms recorded together in the parish records - it was very frustrating because their baptism date was written very clearly as 20 Apr 1851 (so their mum must have been very heavily pregnant on census night, I suppose) but their birthdays are on there too and I just can't make out the month - it looked like it said "Just".