Genealogy Chat

The register of bmds 1837 onwards, as found on Genes, FMP etc, are they assumed to be sum of what exists? If a name doesn't appear on there, is it because it wasn't registered?

Birth registration wasn't legally required until 1875, so yes, some births weren't registered. You can try parish records for a baptism.

Andy

Thanks.

Kevin

As I understand it, from the time of introduction in 1837 everyone was supposed to register a birth. It wasn't until 1875 that it became punishable not to.

There can be other reasons why you cant find a birth you think should be there - old records are very hard to read, ink fades and sometimes name are not clear. It only take the front leg of an R to fade to turn it into a P...

If you think it should be there, give us a name to play with

My g/grandfather was born in 1862 and his birth has never been registred. Although registration was brought in around mid 1837, it was not made compulsory with fines etc. until around 1875.

I only know his dob as I was able to find his baptism records.

And you will find the records held by GR, FMP, Ancestry etc., are the same as those on FreeBMD, I know that Ancestry do acknowledge this, but as I do not use the records on GR not too sure if they do the same.

Thanks people. Penny, it's Charles Matthew Siggs born about 1869. I've sat for hours putting in variations on spelling :-) I need to find out who his parents were. On census returns he has recorded his birthplace as Fulham and Putney as well.

Kevin depending on whereabouts it could easily be the Fulham/Putney boundaries.

My family came from the Fulham/Chelsea area and used both!!

Our ancestors did not make life easy for us did they :-S

UPDATE:

There are as I am sure you are aware 2 Charles Siggs (Charles Matthew & Charles Albert)
Charles Albert seems to have been from the Woolwich area. And I have found loads on him.
Your Charles Mattew is a bit more elusive.

This Charles Matthew is in Woolwich in the 1891 census, married a Katie Gawler in 1892

Kevin are you on Ancestry? There is a lot on there about both Charles Siggs. Including copy of marriage cert.

I am sending you a PM

Thanks, I'm not on there. My paid subscription is for FMP... Gets costly, doesn't it ?!? :-)

Replied, ta

If a certificate is ordered through GRO and they can't supply one, is there a charge ?

Not sure.

Since they upped their prices they refund your money if they cannot supply a cert.
Somewhere on the site it explains.
Edit
Q5. Will I receive a refund if my application is unsuccessful?
GRO will provide a full refund if the application is unsuccessful. A refund will be made directly to your credit/debit card account via the Worldpay payment service provider. A letter or e-mail of explanation will also be sent to you. Please do not contact the General Register Office to enquire about any refund made until you have received and read this letter/email

Thanks for that and thanks to Piglets Pal who has been helpful beyond the call of duty !! :-)

where is he in 1871? presumably not with his parents?

Presume this is the marriage, in which case they should be able to supply the cert

Marriages Jun 1892
Fisher Eliza Jane Woolwich 1d 1793
Gawler Katie Woolwich 1d 1793
SIGGS Charles Woolwich 1d 1793
THYNNE Oscar William Woolwich 1d 1793

That's what I don't know. Where he was, who his parents were. Charles Siggs was his father. Which Charles Siggs? At the turn of the century there were 4 Charles Matthew Siggs in London (that I know of).

Have you seen his death registration?

Charles M Siggs
Registered December qr 1949
Age 80
Registration district: Wandsworth
Volume: 5d Page: 711

Kevin, on the marriage form it gives his age as 24 on 17th April 1892 which means he could have been born in 1867.

Have you considered that the father given on the marriage certificate is made up? I have that situation in my tree. Perhaps he was born Charles Matthew(s) and took the Siggs name later.

We know about his later life and death Joy, it's the early bit that's a mystery :-)
I'm assuming he's illegitimate Ken, maybe registered in his mother's name or similar scenario.