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Last updated 1 June 2008 |
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Certificates |
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| I have purchased many
certificates. This is sometimes the only way for me to confirm
relationships, but it can become costly. So I am always delighted
and grateful when I receive copies form other people. |
| Birth
certificates confirm parentage and will often list fathers
occupation. They will also provide the mothers maiden name and any
other surnames she may have owned. These are usually listed as
formerly xxxx and late xxxx |
| Marriage
certificates provide evidence of both fathers and their
occupations. Address and occupation of bride and groom.
Sometimes their ages appear although this may be described as "full
age" or "over 21", Witnesses names may also help in
identifying relationships. It is interesting to reflect on the
evidence of whether they were married after banns, licence or certificate,
this may well give rise to further ideas. |
| Death
certificates provide the age of the deceased. Sometimes if a
woman the certificate will state whether she was the wife or widow
of..... The name and address of the person informing the authorities
may be a relation and could be helpful. If the death was followed by
a postmortem or coroners hearing this will also be recorded as will the
cause of death. |
| CARE: Some births
especially in the early years of civil registration were not
registered. Not everyone was honest on certificates, this maybe
because they truly did not know the birth correct name or age when
registering a death. Ages on marriage certificates are notoriously
incorrect for many reasons and the use of "full age" or
"over 21" could hide a multitude of reasons and stop the need of
parents permission. Occupations were often inflated on birth and
marriage certificates, for example an "Ag lab" could become a
farmer. |
| STRANGE FACTS:
I have found birth certificates where
when the father registered the birth he called himself one name, but when
the wife did the same she referred to him under a different name. Definitely
same couple.
One birth certificate I have of a lad
whose siblings were adopted shortly after his birth gave me a clue.
His grandmother registered his birth, his mother died shortly after his
birth and clearly Dad could not cope with all the children, so the older
ones were kept together and adopted by an older couple. I knew I had
the correct relationships as on one certificate I had mother, father, son
and grandmother. Quite a find. |
