This is one of those things we learn, usually by bitter experience as in
your case, and, previously in my case too. Telling the GRO more info than
what is in the index is dangerous since they can and do refuse to issue
certs unless the match is accurate. Their attitude is that they are not paid
to have immagination but to do exactly what you ask them to do, taking your
words very literally. (Of course this does not extend to athletic activities
involving self propulsion and large bodies of water even though you might
feel like suggesting that after this experience!!) You can specify
alternatives but I have found that, unless you are very uncertain about the
entry it is better not to do more than state the index entry. An example is,
if you say 'Occupation Printer' and the cert says 'Occupation Compositor'
they will not issue the cert. You would have been better to say 'Occupation
Printer or related' giving them some flexibility.
You can try e-mailing them and saying that actually you do want the
certificate anyway and asking how much it will cost, explaining the
situation (politely) - it may be less than £8 under the circumstances but I
don't think it will be as little as £3.50 though.
Complaining will get you nowhere I'm afraid - pleading ignorance and poverty
might!! They are a government department after all.
Actually next time you would be better to send £6.50 to Newport - they are
incredibly helpful there, will forward your request on to Caerphilly or
Abergavenny if necessary, phone or e-mail you if there are any questions,
and not charge you one penny if they can't issue the certificate. They
usually offer one day turnaround to boot. Newport has their marriages well
indexed I believe so a search is not a problem for them especially if you
can provide the year or, even better, the quarter. In general I have found
local registry offices to be much better than the GRO. BTW, make cheques
payable to "Superintendent Registrar" for registry offices then they can
forward them to any other registry office without you having to reissue a
cheque to a different borough council. I have found that a self addressed
envelope is helpful but, if you are outside the UK, you do not need to put a
stamp on it.
Cheers
Hugh
-----Original Message-----
From: crwys [mailto:crwys@onetel.net.uk]
Sent: August 30, 2001 15:53
To: MONMOUTHSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: [Mon] Re: General Register Office
A few weeks ago I sent for a death certificate from the GRO in Merseyside.
I obtained the form from the internet, sent required cheque for £8 and
waited patiently for the cert to enable me to complete part of my Husband's
tree. George Atwell died in 1912 and the only information we had on him was
from his marriage cert of the 1860s stating that he was a pattern maker.
This morning I received a letter from the GRO refunding only £3.50 and
stating that they WOULD NOT SEND ME THE CERTIFICATE BECAUSE IT HAD A
DIFFERENT OCCUPATION. Now it doesn't take too much imagination to figure
out that by the time he was in his 50s, 60s or 70s, he would have changed
his occupation more than once, either with promotion, unemployment, or a
myriad of other reasons.
My question is HOW CAN THE GRO REFUSE TO SEND ME THE CERTIFICATE ON SUCH
FLIMSY GROUNDS. If I decide to ask for a further search it will cost a
further £6.50 plus £3 for each reference and £1.50 for administration fee.
I went to the GRO because the district was Newport and I felt that there
were too many churches for the Newport Office to check through and I might
be unsuccessful. As I had both the date, page and volume number, I assumed
that I would definitely receive it through Merseyside.
Has anyone else experienced this sort of shabby treatment from the GRO, and
has anyone any idea who I can complain to and how I can receive the
certificate I requested??? Any help or suggestions greatly appreciate,
Thank, Isabel Harris.
A few weeks ago I sent for a death certificate from the GRO in Merseyside.
I obtained the form from the internet, sent required cheque for £8 and
waited patiently for the cert to enable me to complete part of my Husband's
tree. George Atwell died in 1912 and the only information we had on him was
from his marriage cert of the 1860s stating that he was a pattern maker.
This morning I received a letter from the GRO refunding only £3.50 and
stating that they WOULD NOT SEND ME THE CERTIFICATE BECAUSE IT HAD A
DIFFERENT OCCUPATION. Now it doesn't take too much imagination to figure
out that by the time he was in his 50s, 60s or 70s, he would have changed
his occupation more than once, either with promotion, unemployment, or a
myriad of other reasons.
My question is HOW CAN THE GRO REFUSE TO SEND ME THE CERTIFICATE ON SUCH
FLIMSY GROUNDS. If I decide to ask for a further search it will cost a
further £6.50 plus £3 for each reference and £1.50 for administration fee.
I went to the GRO because the district was Newport and I felt that there
were too many churches for the Newport Office to check through and I might
be unsuccessful. As I had both the date, page and volume number, I assumed
that I would definitely receive it through Merseyside.
Has anyone else experienced this sort of shabby treatment from the GRO, and
has anyone any idea who I can complain to and how I can receive the
certificate I requested??? Any help or suggestions greatly appreciate,
Thank, Isabel Harris.
----- Original Message -----
From: <MONMOUTHSHIRE-D-request(a)rootsweb.com>
To: <MONMOUTHSHIRE-D(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 6:01 AM
Subject: MONMOUTHSHIRE-D Digest V01 #348