The suggestion has been made that the SAGHS has many of the original BDM certificates which form part of the District Registrar's collection (as distinct from the Principal Registrar's set) and these can be searched and a handwirtten copy taken, to avoid paying the $41 fee payable to the Registrar. Listers have suggested that family history should be free. So should medicine, but try selling that argument to the medical profession (who also have a mortgage to pay)! The SAGHS microfilmed the District Registrar's collection, but somebody had to pay for the microfilming, it wasn't done by donation or government grant and they have every right to charge for the look up service. The Society does however, recognize that not everybody can easily access the library and there is a limited free service to country, interstate and overseas members. Non-members have to pay - but that is life, nothing in life is free! The SAGHS website states: A Research Service is available into resources within the Society's Library for persons living outside the Adelaide metropolitan area. A small band of dedicated volunteers provides their time and expertise to undertake the research. Members of the Society who live outside the Adelaide metropolitan area can receive 2 hours of free research into the resources of our library. Andrew G Peake