Genealogy Chat

When you obtain a copy marriage certificate, is it copied by hand or printed via some sort of copier? I have noticed that in all the certs I have received, so far, all of the information is in the same handwriting, including the signatures of the couple getting married and the witnesses. Tricia

Thanks for asking that. I've noticed the same. Lynda

Registrar write them,they are copyed from the original maureen

Hi As you say ' a copy of a marriage cert'. I have found that sending to the local reg. office supplies you with a 'copy' from their records. So it is pot luck sometimes that the Reg. clerk transcribes correctly. I sent for one from Southport and received a photocopy of their original. Hazel

The certs I have obtained have all come from the same Registry Office and I believe the ladies there copy them from their registers - hence all mine are in the same two styles of handwriting (there are two ladies there, so I assume they share the duties). If you obtain the certs. from the main Stockport I believe I'm right in saying that they take photocopies of the original entries in the register, therefore you are likely to get various hand-writings from the people who originally had cause to sign the register. The problem with obtaining 2nd hand copies of the entries is that there is the danger of transcription errors by the people who are copying the entries in the Register - but the problem with copies of the original entries is that you may not be able to decipher the handwriting anyway - horses for courses I think. I have had occasion to query a local registry office with regard to the information on one cert, and they very obligingly checked the entry and were able to say that they were not at fault in their transcription (they had merely copied over the original entry) it turned out that my grandad had conveniently forgotten his age (??) and also his father's first name (???) Hope this helps. Jacqui

If they copy the original by hand, why dont they print instead of doing the fancy writing, then perhaps I could understand some of the occupations! Lynda in

My copies have all come from Stockport and they look as though they have been projected, as they all have a line slanting upwards. from the bottom right hand corner of the box containing the information. Tricia

It does depend on the register office, some certs I have had even from the same office have been either written out by hand or photocopied. I have even had one from Southport which was written out by hand. When I registered my mother's death 3 years ago, it was typed by computer, if we had wanted a hand written one we would have to have waited for it by post, at the time I wasn't researching or I would have had a hand written one as well. It might be worth asking if the register office will photocopy them for you. Ros

I don't have any scottish rellies (yet) but I've heard on some cert. you get a lot more info is that right??

Some of my certificates which I got from Oldham were copied out by hand but when all the records were placed on computer I then got typed ones Some that I have got from Yorkshire are all handwritten I have never received a photo copy of the originals Although the Greffes offfice in Guernsey sent me a photo copy of the page that listed the birth registrations of my Dad and his brothers and sisters Bren

Shelagh, How lovely for you to have the original copy. When I get my certificates I look at it again and again, I wonder who the witnesses were, how old, were they familyor friends? I put it down then pick it up again to see if I've missed anything. If I'm out when the post comes I ask my husband to open it and read it out slowly, I ask him questions about it, (as If He'd know) I am waiting for 2 birth certificates, was hoping they would be here today, but now I'm glad they didn't because I can have that excitment tomorrow, Just like Christmas. But just once I would love them to be copies of the originals. I envy you, just a bit. Lynda

Shelagh, you're not mad, but very lucky !! perhaps my 2 that turn up will be originals, but not holding my breath. Lynda

Shelagh, if there is a time of birth, it could mean that he was one of a twin. Or are all Scottish certs like that

Carol, All Scottish births have the time of birth on them. Diane, Here are the details of what you should find on a Scottish Birth Certificate. - Full name of the child and its gender - Date and time of birth - Residence at birth - Name; age; place of birth; occupation of father - Name; age place of birth; and maiden surname of mother - Usual residential address of parents (if this is not the same as the place of the child's birth) - Date and place of the parents' marriage - Name of the informant and the relationship of the informant to the child (if any) Please remember that Civil Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Scotland only began in 1855 and that a significant proportion of all hatches, matches and dispatches were never officially recorded. Good luck! Regards Margaret

Thanks for the compliment Shelagh, Scottish Expsert LOL!!! I only started all this in May! Happy to be of help. Regards Margaret