Genealogy Chat

Yes you're right Robin, the only original signatures would be found in the books of registration which would be found on the actual premises where the marriage took place. Aileenx

Robin, that's what I thought as mine (from the local office) looks like a copy of the original, all the signatures are different. It makes sense not to keep all original records in one place since some were lost during the war. I keep making the point that you should try local sources first but most go the GRO/1837 route first. That's Ok but they are known to contain errors and omissions. Bob

The GRO doesn't have any original certs with original signatures. For church weddings the GRO gets a copy written out by the parson afterwards. For civil registrations they get a copy written out by the local registrar

Hey Aileen!! Where are you?? I'm in Walthamstow, born in Forest Gate... Maz. XX

Kathleen, the certificate IS a photocopy which I purchased online.... So the original registrar really didn't have his mind on the job at all! The main body of the certificate is fine but it's the little portion next to where the witness names are that the bride's name changes. When I mentioned about my other certificate, that was the actual original!! Granddad's surname became Smith and Grandma's name became 'Lizzieberth' !!! (Forgot to mention that bit in my last post') Thanks anyway for the advice, Kathleen, because I didn't realise the others were copied out- think I'll always stick to purchasing online in view of your comment. Aileenx

The ones from local offices can be photocopies,Leeds are. So there should be no transcription errors. The part where it says "Marriage solemnised between us" should be the signatures of the couple so they should be right. The exception is where someone couldn't write and it would be filled in for them. Sometimes it will have a cross and "the mark of (name)" but not always done. Bob

If the certificate is one you've ordered from the relevant register office you could ring them up and ask them to check the details again. I find it better to order from the General Register Office (which you can do online) as you get a photocopy of the original document. There are still sometimes mistakes but at least you are not getting mistakes made by todays staff.

Aileen, Yep, it happens sometimes - especially when the certificate is a copy and even when the nice asst registrar sounded pleased to have found my reference! You can't believe anything these days! Happy hunting! Jane

Further to my marriage cert. problem, has anyone ever had a totally different name of the bride or groom in the portion of the document which states 'Marriage solemnised between us....? My latest states the bride, who is Caroline Wright, as being Celia Wright and on an earlier one I had, the groom, who was Robert Sturt became Robert Smith!!! Reckon the registrar had lost interest!!! Aileen