by Documents such as birth certificates normally have so much information on them. They come with details such as full name of the certificate owner, date of birth, gender, place of birth, parents’ names and more. This makes them a valuable tool for government research as well as those looking to trace their ancestors. This article will look at methods on how to find birth records in England.
England, a part of the United Kingdom, is bordered by Wales (west) and Scotland (north), the North Sea (east) and the English Channel (south). Its population is at about 67.7 million people with a median age of 40.5 years. London, the capital, is the most populated city in the country with 7.5 million people.
Before embarking on a birth record search mission in England, it would significantly help to gather together all information you can find on the birth record owner. These can be details like photos, documents such as marriage certificates or licenses, obituaries, journals, letters, citizenship papers, family bible for example.
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The General Register Office (GRO)
Birth records in England can be found from the General Register Office (GRO). Birth records found from here are for England and Wales, dating back to July 1837. For records older than that, you will need to consult with the parish records.
People use the GRO for the simple reason that it keeps all vital records registered in England and Wales in one place. There are however, third party organizations that offer these records too. These organizations only apply for the records from the GRO on your behalf. It is cheaper to go directly to the GRO yourself than to solicit the services of these third party organizations.
GRO also keeps vital records of British citizens on events that took place abroad. This could be citizens registered with the High Commissions, HM Forces, British Consuls, the Civil Aviation Authority and Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. These registrations are not compulsory thus making the possibility of locating them a bit slim.
Birth records are regarded as public records in England. This means that anyone can apply for a copy of a birth certificate. All you have to do is provide details on the birth records that are requested. This comes in handy for legal services and government when they need proof of birth. Family history researchers who are looking to find information on ancestors also benefit from this arrangement. Applications which are suspected of identity theft intentions are rejected and the details referred to the police to deal with them.
Ordering Birth Certificates from the General Register Office (GRO)
It is possible to order England and Wales birth certificates from the General Register Office (GRO). These are birth certificate that were registered after 1837 onwards. Standard service orders that have the GRO number will take 4 working days to be completed and sent by the GRO.
The priority service on the other hand will have the birth records processed and delivered on or before the next working day. This is for orders that were received before 4 pm (not including weekends and bank holidays).
The most convenient and easiest way to order birth records in England is online. You can order them from here. Another source of birth certificate in England is Vital Certificates.
For birth records that were recorded before 1837, you can contact the local parish records. They have detail such as baptisms, marriages and deaths. These records are usually stored at local County Record Office or several websites that have digitized registers.
Another source of such records can be the GRO regimental records. This is viable if the person was involved with the British Army.
An England birth certificate has information such the name of the record owner, date and place of birth, name and residence of the mother, sometimes the mother’s maiden name, name plus occupation of the father are examples.
Search Online for England Birth Records from Find My Past
A birth record search from Find My Past will not only allow you to find birth records from England but also Wales. Birth records available from this database range between 1837 to 2006. Once the search from here reveals the birth records you want, you can then use it to order a copy of the original birth record.
Searches on the site can be performed using first name(s), last name, birth year (+/- 2 years), place keywords, birth quarter, mother’s maiden name, district, county and keyword search.
Be advised to double check your information especially quarter, district and county to make sure that your results return the right information.
Search Online for England Birth Records from Free UK Genealogy
Free UK Genealogy collaborates with committed volunteers to offer up to standard transcripts of public records for free from government sources, parishes as well as other trusted institutions.
Their Free Birth, Marriage and Death records are ideal for those who are ancestry research records beginners. The records range from 1837 to 1992.
These tips on how to find birth records in England can help you locate births that took place in England and Wales that were recorded. Try them to find out which one works for you.
