Jackie, I have looked through the England & Wales Birth Index from the start of registration in 1937 through to the time of the 1841 census. There is only one John Bates listed for the Sheffield Registration District, namely in the first quarter of 1840 - reference is Sheffield Volume XXII, Page 594. The only way to find out if this is the birth that you are looking for is to apply for a Certified Copy of the Entry of Birth (i.e. Birth Certificate). Regards Richard Harris Cayman Islands -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2006 9:38 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ERY] BMD-Birth 1839-Sheffield I am looking for a Birth certificate for a John Bates, son of a William Lawrence Bates & Mary Ann Tennyson Williams, born about 1839 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England (according to census records). I have looked in the Free BMD's and could not find a reference to his birth. The Bates family is listed in the census records for Kingston upon Hull (1841-1901). Please, advise. Jackie ==== ENG-EAST-YORKS Mailing List ==== Try keep it on Topic not sure mail Administrator! ============================== View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find marriage announcements and more. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.11/264 - Release Date: 2/17/2006