Are witnesses on Birth Certificates witnesses to the birth ie present at the birth or witnesses to the registration? The pertinent column on the certificates is simply headed "Witnesses". I had always assumed that they were people who were prepared to attest that the birth had taken place or who witnessed the registration. However it seems that a transcription agent heads this column "Present at the birth". The certificates have spaces for three witnesses. Looking at some of my certificates I see that just the father's name is written. "None" is written next to the other two witness spots. Does this then mean that the father delivered the baby? Conversely if the father's name is not put down as a witness does this mean that he wasn't there at the time? Regards ..........Rusheen.
Dear Rusheen, The "not present" means that the baby was not taken to the registration at the office. I have always believed that the witnesses to the birth were the midwife/doctor and many I have indicate this. Sincerely,Bill > Are witnesses on Birth Certificates witnesses to the birth ie present at > the > birth or witnesses to the registration?
The witnesses to a birth are usually those who were present at the birth, and can testify to the child being the natural child of the mother, the witnesses are usually No. 1 the doctor if one was present, Nos. 2 and 3 are the midwives. If only the father was mentioned it would mean he did deliver the baby or did not give the names of other witnesses and his was used in place of the names of the midwives or midwife. Only in unusual circumstances was the father present at a birth - this was women's business and men were not allowed to be present at a birth. Having father there is a relatively new idea. Patricia, Australia Are witnesses on Birth Certificates witnesses to the birth ie present at the birth or witnesses to the registration? The pertinent column on the certificates is simply headed "Witnesses". I had always assumed that they were people who were prepared to attest that the birth had taken place or who witnessed the registration. However it seems that a transcription agent heads this column "Present at the birth". The certificates have spaces for three witnesses. Looking at some of my certificates I see that just the father's name is written. "None" is written next to the other two witness spots. Does this then mean that the father delivered the baby? Conversely if the father's name is not put down as a witness does this mean that he wasn't there at the time? Regards ..........Rusheen. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to AUS-NSW-SYDNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message