Oh I can assure you Geoff that I have already spent a great deal on my hobby over the past 8 years but object strongly to paying over the odds (£7 for one certificate) which may or may not be the right one and this only since there has been such a vast increase in the number of people who are doing research. Capitalisation is I believe the term for this type of overcharging. I can access all the necessary sources in Scotland for a very resonable amount £6 for 5 certificates and that after already verifying that they are the right ones. That is how to attract business. The registrars offices up here also will on occassions, as long as you are not greedy, do look-ups as a favour. I have also paid for professional researchers to assist me and even then paid less for half a dozen certificates than this extortionate £7 lucky dip. I think it is time that someone realised that the poor people south of the border are being exploited in their pursuit for information which after all is theirs to begin with, but then that is the way of the world today, governed by greed. Thank you very much for you detailed reply and I can only sypathise with you all, after all I would not be happy if I went into the greengrocer and bought a bag of carrots only to be told that when you get them they may not carrots at all but you will still have to pay for them. Many thanks for your time and information, that I do appreciate and if I can help you in any way please feel free to ask, I promise I won't charge for it. All the best Richard