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Genealogy/memories

Getting a certificate.

(50 Posts)
AlieOxon Tue 27-Sept-16 12:16:28

I'm trying to get my marriage certificate from 1964.
I can't ask my ex, who probably had it, because I have lost track of him years ago, and I hear that he has changed his name, which won't help.
Next problem, it was in Scotland, and I don't know the date. I can't find a record online without going to ScotlandsPeople, and don't understand their setup!
And it costs £15. In any case they want a date. And their form to send won't print!

This is all to do with trying to get a child's certificate from 1967 from the GRO, which I tried to do last year.
I lost a baby in that year and all I want is to know what the certificate says he died of. The GRO were very unhelpful, but a friend suggested that being able to send my marriage certificate as well with the forms might help.

Any ideas? - Alison

AlieOxon Sun 02-Oct-16 08:19:10

I'm ok, please stop!

AlieOxon Sun 02-Oct-16 08:18:08

Look, thank you everyone for trying to help, but we've been through this one too!

Lincsblue Sat 01-Oct-16 23:19:54

Regarding no issue number on debit cards, I was told to put a 0 in and that worked when I had problems ordering online.

AlieOxon Sat 01-Oct-16 17:43:09

Please, everyone, read this thread from the beginning?

Battersea1971 Sat 01-Oct-16 17:23:17

It shouldn't be difficult to trace the baby's death certificate. I think you can do that on line!

AlieOxon Sat 01-Oct-16 14:34:55

Again, I don't need the marriage certificate!

EmilyHarburn Sat 01-Oct-16 13:55:09

This is the .gov.uk site for Scotland's marriage certificates

www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/how-to-order-an-official-extract-from-the-registers

Hope this helps

AlieOxon Sat 01-Oct-16 13:21:36

Please, I don't need the marriage certificate. It was only that a friend thought it might convince the GRO that I was ok.
I don't want it, I just wanted the baby's.

Stella14 Sat 01-Oct-16 13:15:24

Usually the approximate date (month and year) is sufficient when order from a Government department.

Battersea1971 Sat 01-Oct-16 12:42:59

My father had been married before and I traced the marriage even though I didn't k ow the date. I had to give the names of the two people and round about what time, they had no trouble tracing it, but this was in London. Though they wouldn't let me have a copy of the divorce certificate which is what I wanted. I don't think it should be too difficult. You must have some idea of when you married. I was married in 1965, I remember it was Churchills funeral in January that year. Any help?

Legs55 Sat 01-Oct-16 09:38:14

good luck, I have used GRO & never had a problem but all mine were English. More difficult was National Archives as my in-laws came over from Austria around time of start of WW2. I had to prove my MiL had died & provide copy of her Death Cert & my DHs Birth Cert for copy of FiLs records. Once I had those records released (at a fee). MiLs name was in records which was why I had to prove her Death. Hope you have Cert soon flowers

AlieOxon Fri 30-Sept-16 17:06:58

Yeah, I guess...

They phoned me again, though! Apparently wondering if the baby had been registered? Duh.
I was able to tell them I had just seen the record online.

I think I may believe it when I get the certificate.

Elegran Fri 30-Sept-16 16:34:49

Phewww! I suppose you should be glad that they would not have let a dodgy stranger get hold of a copy.

AlieOxon Fri 30-Sept-16 14:33:34

Had to be in a meeting this morning so I have just phoned Lewisham Registry Office back - and they - after asking a few more questions, like my mother's full name - have done it! I've paid for the baby's certificate and should get it within 7 days....phew!
They obviously did do some checks on me, but I passed....
I had a backup character reference ready from someone well known in Didcot, but it wasn't needed.

AlieOxon Thu 29-Sept-16 20:34:07

See next instalment tomorrow....

AlieOxon Thu 29-Sept-16 20:33:25

It is SO frustrating!

Elegran Thu 29-Sept-16 20:23:59

Yes, then be prepared to write if you get nowhere. I wonder whethr they are are stringent with the real villains?

AlieOxon Thu 29-Sept-16 19:33:20

I was thinking of ringing them again as a first step.

Elegran Thu 29-Sept-16 19:07:54

Could that be a delaying tactic? If you were only after the certificate to get a new identity, you might slink away at this point and not keep on at them. How about a letter, with the relevant details in it and asking for them to please reply to tell you what to do to confirm your own identity?

AlieOxon Thu 29-Sept-16 18:13:21

The Lewisham registry Office, I mean.

AlieOxon Thu 29-Sept-16 18:11:36

Why ever did I think they would actually ring me back?

Jalima Thu 29-Sept-16 14:39:32

Yes they are (must take a huge cut!)

AlieOxon Thu 29-Sept-16 14:26:23

I've had various certificates online although not Scottish ones - and always found it easy. Irish ones are particularly easy and cheap!
I have NEVER done it through Ancestry - a warning here, they are extortionately expensive!

Jalima Thu 29-Sept-16 14:09:07

I can't believe they are making you jump through these hoops and
am I trying to get an old certificate in order to pass myself off as a deceased person...?

In fact, I have never ceased to be amazed at how easy it has been to obtain bmd certificates through the GRO (but have never tried to obtain Scottish ones) and I could be passing myself off as anyone!

AlieOxon Thu 29-Sept-16 13:22:56

If I can get the baby's certificate, I don't need (or want!) the marriage one. I would rather forget about the marriage....