In a message dated 19/02/2005 12:25:17 GMT Standard Time, derek.phillips2@ntlworld.com writes: I have a photo copy, of a copy ,of an original certificate from 1853 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Hi Pat, All certificates are a certified copy of the entry in the marriage register i.e. there is no original certificate as such. If you went to the Sunderland Register Office then they could look at the register for you. I assume that that would not charge for doing this, in fact if you have the date and register number (in the left hand column) they might do it over the phone. You could then decide if it would be worth buying a new copy. If there is no fathers name then it usually signifies that the name of the father is unknown, for what ever reason, or (incorrectly) that he has died. Regards Stan Mapstone www.mapstone.org

----- Original Message ----- From: <Stanmapstone@aol.com> To: <ENG-DUR-SUNDERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 1:20 AM Subject: [genealogy] Re: [SUNDERLAND] More Queries > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. > Hi Pat, > All certificates are a certified copy of the entry in the marriage register > i.e. there is no original certificate as such. If you went to the Sunderland > Register Office then they could look at the register for you. I assume that > that would not charge for doing this, in fact if you have the date and register > number (in the left hand column) they might do it over the phone. You could > then decide if it would be worth buying a new copy. > > If there is no fathers name then it usually signifies that the name of the > father is unknown, for what ever reason, or (incorrectly) that he has died. > > Regards Stan Mapstone > www.mapstone.org Just to amplify what Stan has written - Not so long ago I asked just what the Sunderland registrars issued in the way of marriage certificates, and their response included the following "certificates would be 'certified' photocopies of the original entries showing participants signatures." So for the standard price of £7 one can get the non-standard product of a document with original signatures on it. Tim S.