GRO General Register Office

[rockyracoon]

Is it possible to actually go to the GRO to look for birth records. I need to find the date of birth of a family member, I've been on Ancestry but it only gives me the quarter in that year that the birth was registered. I've tried looking for any details on Directgov but it's really not very helpful.

Thanks for any responses

[dothawkes31]

I doubt ancestry can supply it even for 20 quid as the legislation will apply to them too, they send to the GRO for the certificate on your behalf but it is mailed straight to you, so you are paying them £13 expenses every time a cert is ordered through them,

[dothawkes31]

what about the local newspaper? would their birth have been announced in that ? Mine wasn't but my sisters was in 1960

[rockyracoon]

Ancestry will definitely let me order, it says it can supply English BMD certs from 1837 up to 18 months to present date. Will look into local newspapers, you never know.

[dothawkes31]

so how do they get round the legislation then?
who is the person to you that you want to know the DOB of? Did you not know them last time it ws their birthday?

[rockyracoon]

No idea how they get round the legislation, money talks I suppose. Long lost brother I've only just found out I have, just trying to find as much info as possible really.

[munchie63]

i'd suggest trying their name in friends reunited or facebook, as many people use those sites, and you may be able to find details that way.

ancestry's a last resort as you're paying them £13 just to be the middle man.

[craft1948]

I found a cousin I never knew I had through Friends Reunited.....

[rockyracoon]

Tried Facebook & Friend Reunited but the name is too common, my head was wrecked going through Facebook, and seeing as I don't know what he looks like it's a bit futile. Will have to stump up the extra cash I guess, just grates me as to why they can rise above rules that we can't. Hay ho!