Genealogy Chat

I suppose this has been said before but I think i will use local register offices in future.
I tried to order a marriage certificate online but World Pay decided not to accept either of my Visa Debit cards. I don't know what the problem is but I have used both before numerous times.
Anyway, I decided to telephone Rochdale Register Office to order it from them.
The lady took the details and my card number, said it will be £8 and it will be posted tonight.
Now how's that for service!!
Well worth the extra £1 to my mind.
Lynne

I agree that local offices can be quicker most of the time.

Trouble is that if you are researching London areas, most of them will not supply certificates for family history purposes. A lot of local offices do not supply the photocopied type of certificate that you get from the GRO, but write or type them out as you order them. For this reason I prefer the GRO. I do use local offices if I want a certificate in a hurry though.

It's personal preference at the end of the day.

Kath. x

To add to what Kath said, some larger offices, Liverpool, for example, will issue certs for research, but quote 2 to 3 weeks for delivery, or less, depending upon the time of year and the demand for other certificates.. Others offices will send them out the same day.

The handwritten versions that many local offices issue also add another opportunity for transcription errors, as I found on a couple of occasions, so just be aware.

The handwritten ones have only as much chance of transcription errors as the GRO 'originals' which were transcribed by the local clerks every quarter and then sent to the GRO.

Andy

It always pays to check what your local office can provide. They may give you the option.

As has been said GRO are transcriptions anyway.
Only local office and County Record Offices/Church hold originals.(church marriages).

Bob