Another GRO Query [Archive] - Genealogists' Forum

Kit

03-03-10, 10:05

If I order a cert and put in checking points and my points don't match the cert what will they charge me?

I've never done this before. I've always just ordered the cert as I was confident I had the right person. This time there are several options and no way to narrow it down.

If it is the wrong cert, how long does it take them to let you know?

Olde Crone

03-03-10, 10:10

They keep £3 as a finder's fee.

They will let you know presumably at the same time they would have issued the certificate, or perhaps a little before that, depending on how their workload is progressing.

I am assuming you are talking about ordering online? As that is automated, they don't actually handle your request until it is your turn, lol, at which point they either produce the cert or refund your money.

Hope that makes sense?

OC

Kit

03-03-10, 10:27

Thank OC.

Yes I am ordering online.

Will they email me if it is the wrong cert? This is curiosity now as I have found that Somerset RO will search for 2 years on either side of the date or year you provide for no added fee, which suits me as I know the parents names.

Merry

03-03-10, 10:33

Are you sure there's no way of narrowing it down?

Olde Crone

03-03-10, 10:44

Kit

I don't know if they email you or not, I only ever use the GRO if I am absolutely positive of the cert. For all else I use local ROs.

OC

peppie

03-03-10, 11:26

Yes they do email you if it's wrong to let you know they are refunding the £4.50 and keeping the £3.00

Merry

03-03-10, 13:51

Are you sure there's no way of narrowing it down?

Sometimes you can work out what part of a registration district the book comes from by looking at the other names on the same page and checking info on those people from other sources such as census, such as burials, baptisms and census. So if you know where your birth or death should have occurred you can sometimes reduce the number of likely entries. Have a look here for an example (see post #12):

http://genealogistsforum.co.uk/Forum/showthread.php?t=3587

Kit

03-03-10, 22:20

Are you sure there's no way of narrowing it down?

It's a common name and I have a 2 year span as an age estimate. Unfortunately there are about 5 (from memory) people with this name being born in the registration district.

I've found the baptism for this person transcribed by the LDS and by another source. Both agree it was 15 August but the year is either 1857 or 1858.

I'll have another look and see if I work it out like you did for Ellizabeth.

Yes they do email you if it's wrong to let you know they are refunding the £4.50 and keeping the £3.00

Thanks Peppie.

bidston

04-03-10, 11:16

hi gang, i have ordered lots of certificates that are wrong, they email to say why they did not issue the certificate and a few days later my credit card is refunded 4.00, never fails

Kit

04-03-10, 22:22

Thanks for letting us know. Sorry you have ordered so many wrong certs to be in a position to tell us.